The Flower Field

THIS CHAPTER IS OPTIONAL. It doesn't have anything very remarkable except a few bits. This is mostly a filler chapter I made when I was on a brief writer's block.

Planet Flora; Flower Field

The Flower Field was a vast, open country where flowers of every variety blossomed. It was always summer and there were few trees. There were creatures called Bub-ulbs, a sentient race of flowers with feet and faces on their large bulbs, as well as larger flowers with faces. Multiple rivers flowed across the fields, originating from a gigantic fountain with a rainbow. The water was so pure, it seemed like it could make one live forever from a single drink.

"The last thing I wanted to do in the Floran War was bring the conflict here." Viridi told the hundreds of operatives behind her. "I certainly never wanted to bring you horrible monsters here."

"But the Flower Field is a wonderful place!" Arianna twirled. "There's so much love and happiness in the air!"

"There certainly is." Cheren smiled. "That's why me and Nebula thought this was the perfect place for everyone to have a mini vacation. It feels like all we've been doing all summer is training. We deserve some cool-down time."

"He's right." Anthony agreed. "You have no idea how brutal Toph is."

"Let's lay some ground rules first." Viridi stated. "No shoes for one thing. …Actually, you aren't supposed to wear clothes in general, but since humans can't stand to see each other naked, I'll let it slide. No kicking flowers, but picking them or lying in them is okay, just make sure they aren't sentient. No loud noises, no defecating in the river, and no outside snacks or littering. I'll take that sucker off your hands, Mr. Fizzuras." She whipped a vine over to snatch Augustus's buhmillionth lollipop.

"Ugh." Augustus scoffed, removing his shoes, as did the Baby Trio. "I can't believe my mom's making me hang with you KNDorks."

"Interestingly, the Mushroom Kingdom has its own Flower Field." Goombella noted. "I oughta take you guys to visit. Since Nebula DID include my homeworld with the shrunken planets."

"Anyway, that's all I have to say." Viridi said. "Just ditch your footwear and enjoy the Flower Field."

Sector W explored a region of smaller flowers as they picked some to weave crowns. "I feel bad for all those other Firstborn trapped in the Egg Chambers." Diancie said as she put on her woven crown. "As someone who was trapped in a dark place for millions of years, I can tell you it gets lonely."

"I bet it does…" Harvey replied, staring close at a pink flower. …In the far distance beyond the flower, he noticed Sector RZ. Diwata was holding an umbrella for her Firstborn. "Hey, Diancie… you ever talk to Crest?"

"Hm?" Diancie looked their direction. "I don't believe I have. Knowing we're the newest Firstborn, it's weird that we haven't."

"You two should talk. You are the only Firstborn in the universe at the moment."

"Hm hm, when you put it like that… Okay, I'll talk to him."

Elsewhere, the Marzipan Pirates were lain down, growing sleepy in the softness of the flowers. "Look at us layin' in flowers like a couple-a hippies." Rallo said. "You think any of those fellas are hookin' up? Just rollin' around in the flowers, makin' contact?"

"It's pretty nice, I admit." Augustus rolled on his side, closing his eyes. "Too bad I don't got anyone to make 'contact' with." He felt a shadow come over his face. "That don't mean I'm getting with you, Stewie."

"Open your eyes, you creepy narcissist, that's not me." Stewie retorted.

"Augusus…"

Augustus peeped an eye open. A beautiful girl's face was hanging over him, pretty hazel eyes, dangling cyan hair, and a purplish-red line painted over her nose. "NEL!" Augustus's heart jumped. "Y-You're here! How…"

"I brought her." Death the Kid spoke. "Until recently, this woman was a 197 million-year-old Arrancar. After her Inferius crumbled, her spirit was filled with light again. It seems she longed to reunite with you. Her love burned bright for that much time. It was so powerful that it was impossible to subdue her. We didn't want her to become an Arrancar again, so we allowed her a Gigai to come visit you."

"Nel so happy she get to be with Augusus again!" Nel laid on the younger teen and rubbed cheeks with him. "Now that Nel matur, she make good mate for him."

"W-Whoa whoa! Nel, you're not quite alive anymore… are you?"

"Technically, a Gigai has all the components of a living organic body." Kid noted. "Including reproductive organs."

"Why did you phrase it like that?!"

"Does Augusus know good cave for him and Nel?" asked the cavegirl.

"NO I DON'T!!" Augustus pushed Nel off and sprinted across the fields.

"Nel confused." said the cavegirl after helping herself up. "Does Augusus feel scared because Nel taller?"

"I'd give that a fair wager." Stewie replied. ("Mw-mw." agreed Maggie.)

Melody Jackson was laying on her back in the river, wearing her new white top, blue sarong with fish designs, and hair in a ponytail. "You should've seen the place where Manaphy's Egg Chamber was, Eric." She said to her friend sitting on the riverside. "That water was beautiful. So pure and clean… it made me realize how little I've spent in the water."

"Me, too." Eric gazed dazedly at her lovely form. "I mean, er… it's nice to be out of the news studio every now and then. But it is nicer than Mermaid Death Swamp…"

"Here's to that." Melody swam up beside him and gripped the edge, lifting one foot out of the water. "So, what if Lord English lands here and starts killing everything? Will you protect me, Eric?"

"Ulp! Uuuuuhhh…" Eric felt himself redden.

"For the record, I told her about what you said." Eric whipped around to find Maddy, Chris, and Cheren. The former continued, "You know, about you cowering behind your protector like a pussy if English showed up."

"GYAH, IT'S NOT TRUE MELODY!" Eric pulled his shirt up to hide his shameful expression.

"Hm hm hm! It's okay, Eric, I don't care if you're not a strong guy." Melody smiled. "Besides, you're the cameraman. You need to stay behind me and catch my good side when I battle."

"It's another balance we need to keep." Chris said. "Strong guys and nerds. There has to be an equilibrium, am I right?"

"I guess." Cheren sighed in disbelief. "…But that should be a rule, too. Try not to mention Lord English very much."

"How? He's named after our language."

"Yeah, what is he, Voldemort?" Maddy followed.

"I just think he's become the center of all our worries… I'd like it if we could quit being worried once in a while. That's why we came here."

"Well, you're not wrong." Chris said, walking away a few feet. "But the only thing I wanna do to cool off is fight."

"Try something new for a change." Maddy remarked, picking a blue flower to force in his hand, then heading the other way.

"You don't get to say that, Higher Level." Chris smirked.

Arianna Dunfree was lying on her back in a cluster of flowers. Her little friend was relaxed in a green flower beside her. "Do you like the new clothes I made for you, Vweeb?"

"I kind of do!" Vweeb answered enthusiastically. He was in a blue T-shirt and black shorts, replacing his jumpsuit. "I don't know what I liked about the jumpsuit. So tight." Vweeb looked around and studied other couples. Morgiana was doing a dance for Nagisa, Jinta was using a dandelion to tickle Ururu's nose. "I think everyone is turning this into a date."

"Why wouldn't they." Arianna said simply. "Speaking of, what about Nebula? Are you still… in love with her?"

"Um… somehow, I feel like she'll be too busy for me. …Hey, Ari, ever wonder what those Darkness guys are doing?"

"Taking over the universe, I assume."

"I know, but whaddo they do in their downtime? You think they have any beaches or flower fields?"

"Hmm… it's curious."

King Dutchman (Play "Meanwhile on the Prison Ship.")

In a very distant realm, the remains of what used to be a universe, Bill Cipher was at work in the flagship's office. The desk and chair was much too large for the child-size demon, but it made up for its size by holding thirteen old-timey telephones, each with a different color. Bill was closely examining a rusted sword collected from Dimension Karakura. When the dark-green phone rang, Bill tossed the sword into a pile of other inter-dimensional swords before answering.

"Hiya, Davy! Are ya finished conquering the Grand Line? Oh? The Big Mom Pirates want to join our powerful organization? She wants you to marry one of her daughters? We-hell, you let me know how that goes, buddy!"

A phone designed like a key rang. "Ahh, Xehanort!" Bill answered. "Is Remnant as good as you hoped it would be? …The Heartless and Grimm are having trouble getting along? Well, what can you expect? Say, keep a few prisoners and we'll have Zeref turn them into Inferi." A phone lined with six gems rang. "The C-Man speaking, how may I help?" Bill smiled proudly. Then he frowned. "Thanos, you need to tone it down with the Power Stone. I know it's easy to extinguish all life on a planet in one blow, but followers are good to have! So yeah, maybe give the next planet some time to worship you." He hung up.

"Sigh… taking over the multiverse is becoming slower than I hoped it would be. I guess I should have expected. The fact that these worlds are powerful is why Lord English chose them to begin with. Needless to say, these Darknesses would have won with just a little more help." He heard large footsteps and looked to the giant doorway. "Ahh, just the person I wanted to see! Yellow Diamond."

The Gem Empress bore her scowl as she entered the office. "Why have you summoned me, Worm?"

"Yellow Diamond, I've noticed that your work has been a bit… lacking as of late. We got you a bunch of Pokémon to command at your behest, but so far you've barely conquered two universes."

"Conquering these worthless worlds means nothing without my Gems. What I desire is a universe of perfect order where my Gems live in order and harmony. If not for Peridot, I wouldn't have joined this voyage at all. I'm only here so I can return to Emera. Your goals mean nothing to me."

"Look, Yellow, like it or not, you're one of Lord English's servants. You'll have everything you want and more, but ONLY if you do what we say! Otherwise… you may not have a Homeworld at all. Now, back to work, Gorgeous." Bill grinned.

". . ." Clenching her teeth, Diamond turned and stomped out, unknowingly passing Team Rocket, who had come in behind the giant's cape.

"And what can I do for you three?" Bill asked.

"Um… we seem to be out of medicine for Voldemort." Jessie replied.

"And we're kind of scared to confront him about it…" James said nervously.

"Ho, that poor man." Bill shook his head. "Fine, I'll take care of it. Stay here to answer my calls." He snapped his fingers and vanished into flame.

"'Course, which of these Darknesses isn't scary?" Meowth commented. "I never been so happy to be a chore cat. Sigh, how I long to be in Miss Carla's paws…"

"And that poor Diamond is the only woman among them." Jessie spoke emotionally. "Look at the way she's oppressed by this male autocracy!"

"I don't see why. That neck makes her the tallest person on this boat." James said.

"What she needs is a girl friend to confide all her problems to. Someone to turn to in times of turmoil."

"Good luck, Jess." remarked Meowth. "Girl or not, she's probably as high and stuck-up as these other tyrants."

"We'll see about that. I'm going to look for her." Jessie exited the office. (End song.)

She wandered the ship for 10 minutes in searching for Yellow Diamond. She hadn't come by the Portal Chamber or the Pokémon Shelter, so Jessie decided to check the deck. Having to squint her eyes at first from the bright green, wavy sky, she saw the yellow giantess staring in the distance.

Jessie approached Yellow Diamond slowly. She saw the anger and desire in her sharp, narrow eyes. When Jessie looked beyond the deck, she realized Yellow Diamond was watching the ongoing clash between Lord English and Arceus. "That battle will have no victor."

Jessie gasped. Yellow Diamond seemed to acknowledge her. "You… really think so?"

"They're both powerful beings. So powerful that every blow rips the universe. But really, they're disorderly savages. Look at what they did to this universe. It's horrendous."

"I agree. I can't even tell where we are, anymore. …" Jessie faced up at her again. "You're different from these people, aren't you?"

"And what are you?"

"Oh, I'm just… the ship's maid!" Jessie blushed.

"Oh, the humans' version of a Pearl."

"I beg pardon?"

"Be gone. You're not worth my time."

"I guess Meowth was right about that." Jessie mumbled. "I'm just wondering why they wanted you on this ship. You're not evil like the other Darknesses. You sound like you just want to go back home."

"Perhaps… but I am evil regardless."

"Why?"

"Because I am imperfect. I have always been imperfect. I betrayed My Diamond's trust and let myself be defeated by the enemy countless times. We Gems were supposed to be the most perfect race, and save the universe from its chaotic nature. The more I look at this, the more I begin to see… the flaw in that goal."

Yellow Diamond about-faced and touched her diamond. "And that flaw is… those who seek perfection will only be destroyed. The true path to perfection is imperfection. If that is the law I must live by… then I will." She grabbed the sword from her gem as it sparked to life. "Hmm… Strangely, it feels appealing to say it out loud." With that, she reentered the ship.

"… …" Jessie grinned gleefully. "Oooooo, you just made yourself a friend, Jessie!" She jumped and threw up a fist. "YEAH!!"

Flower Fields

"You know, seeing all these couples together, it makes me realize something." Aisa said to her teammates. "None of us have boyfriends."

"That sure came out of nowhere!" Mocha laughed. "I guess none of us do have any close guy friends."

"Why do we need any now?" Chimney asked. "We ain't no smelly teenagers. Our hormones are just fine, thank you! …Em, no offense, April." ("Gyom-gyom.")

"I am rather curious, though." April said. "I've always examined couples from afar and watched how their emotions operate. I would like to practice it."

"So, what? We should try and look for boyfriends when we get back?" Apis questioned.

"Or at least new friends who are guys!" Aisa grinned. "I hate to say I'm tired of you girls, but it doesn't hurt to expand our friendship circle."

"Eh." Chimney shrugged. "I guess it would be cool. Who you think would be a good friend?"

"GIRLS, HIDE ME!" Augustus jumped over and pulled Chimney and Apis together, hiding behind them.

"Him, maybe?" Apis said awkwardly.

The two chose to keep their pose for a few minutes. Augustus peeped around, but could not see his stalker through the flowers. "Sigh…" But when he turned, his face met with Nel's. "YAH!!" He fell back and knocked Chimney and Apis down.

"Why Augusus hide from Nel?" asked the cavewoman that was crouched like a puppy. "Nel want to be near her mate."

A frantic Augustus snatched Aeincha and wagged her in front of Nel's face. "Look, Nel! It's a tasty tiny person! Wanna taste the tiny person?"

"NO, PLEASE!" Aein cried.

"Stop it!" Apis snatched her back. "Speaking of couples, it looks like you two have some issues. We'll leave you alone." With that, Sector W7 left.

"Augusus no need run from Nel. Nel understand."

"Nel do? I-I mean, you do?" asked Augustus, calming down.

"Nel want to be with Augusus." She crawled up beside him. "But Augusus… too young for Nel."

Augustus instantly pictured the 5-year-old cavegirl in his mind, smiling and laughing. "Uh… yeah, Nel, I'm too young for you." He complied.

"Nel and Augusus from different time. We no can be mates. But Augusus always be Nel mate." Nel brushed her head against his. "And Nel always be with Augusus in breast."

"Y-You mean in heart, heh heh. …But, um… I'm glad you understand, Nel." Augustus withdrew a green lollipop from his pocket. "This is for you."

"Oh!" Nel took it happily. "Thank, Augusus! Up my nose it goes."

"NEL, NO-!"

"Nel jokes." Nel placed the candy in her mouth. "Nel smarter than that."

"Heh heh heh!"

There was no conflict and no drama in this peaceful meadow. There were only friends happily talking to one-another. Cheren saw it all from the giant fountain, and it made him happy to see his operatives this way. "Hoo! I haven't had a good bath in ages!" Viridi expressed, showering under the fountain's waterfall. "I finally feel my strength returning!"

"Just don't make me have to take it away again, Viridi." Cheren remarked.

"I know, I know. But now that you aren't aging anymore, your choice of girlfriends is strictly limited. And, admittedly, I have come to somewhat respect you, and… well, biologically my body is one year younger than yours."

"Yeah, I guess… I mean, WHAT?!?" Cheren flushed.

"Well, back to my shower! Hmm hmm hmm. . . ." Viridi innocently resumed bathing.

"Enjoying ourselves, are we?" Cheren whipped around, finding a wry look on Panini's face. "It's either her or nobody, you know."

"Don't be ridiculous. She's too immature for me."

"Well, we're only human." Pan shrugged. "Most of us… anyway." On that note, she jumped down.

"…Sigh." Cheren turned away. Everyone else was happy… but she wasn't. "When are you gonna get over it?"