#dark or light/always shining bright | Harmony Lightfox

[galaxies-unknown-a]

“Hey…. Ummm… There’s…” Volt paused and looked to Bless and Node almost sheepishly as they sat by the campfire back behind the Inn. “There’s something I wanted to show you..”

Harmony had only glanced over at her father from where she was roasting a marshmallow, offering him an encouraging tail wag. Something he took to heart and closed his eyes. A spike in Chaos Energy within him all the warning before his body morphed and shifted into his larger form. Blackened sclera greeted them as he opened his eyes and ducked his head, ears folding by almost shyly.

“Remember how I mentioned being part Black Arms…”

The two had glanced cautiously to one another at those words, wondering if perhaps he was about to reveal some massive, damaging secret- something that would forever change their view of the hybrid. They figured, with words like those, this would be something that might even break the trio apart... But they were ready to hear, to listen, to understand.

Bless blinked for a moment, his tail trying to start a wag even as he forced it to still. His eyes narrowed, mouth forming into a thin line. Node's reaction was for their jaw to drop, eyes staring straight at the hybrid as he revealed this new form to them. Together, the two probably looked like a truly horrible reaction- eyes narrowed, mouth agape... It would be little wonder if Volt were concerned, even afraid.

But all that would change with one question.

"..... Why didn't you tell us about this sooner??" Bless expression softened as he hopped over the fire with ease, landing on the other side and offering the now-fluffier hybrid a hug. "I'm supposed to be the fluffy one of the group, Volt!!" His voice was incredulous, but the smile on his face spoke miles otherwise.

"...so fluffy..." Node murmured. They didn't jump nor teleport, instead their mouth finally closing before it formed into a smile, and then a faint laugh. "Guess you're not!"

"Shhhhh!!!" Bless grinned. "HE'S FLUFFY!" It would seem that was all the two really cared to focus on. They weren't stating it, far from it- but there was a truth in the way they were dealing with this moment. Neither had brought up that it was Black Arms DNA, that that was even involved. Silently, Bless shot Harmony a second of an inquisitive look- she'd known about this... And hadn't told them?

Well.. Volt did seem shy about it... And it was DNA from an enemy, so it was understandable he wouldn't be forthcoming... Although it hurt just a hint that he hadn't told the duo sooner, Bless and Node could relate, to a degree...

"Have you been shy about this or somethin'?" Node quirked an eyebrow. "... Don't get why, but lemme say this-"

"YOU LOOK SO COOL!" Bless interrupted. Node merely sighed, shaking their head as they gestured to the werehog.

"As he said." Their smile was only gone for a moment. ".... Now c'mere-" And they were on him. Both of them. It would seem neither had any qualms with his Black Arms form. "--FLUFFY!"

It would seem he'd earned a nickname from the two.

'Fluffy'.

.... Volt, I am so sorry--

[galaxies-unknown-a]

"I will always protect you" from Volt and Harmony to Bless and Node

[Send in “I will always protect you” to see my muse’s reaction.]

"Not if I protect you always first!" Bless grinned. He had full faith in the two if ever he went missing.- They'd find a way to get him back, just like Node and the Resistance had a few years ago. Moments like these were just reminders of all the allies he'd made over the years, and of all the promised allies yet to come. It made him more than a little happy as he gave the duo a smirk. "So you'll just have to beat me to it!"

Every time the world knocked them down... They'd just come back stronger. A part of him feared how long this could last, if the next event- if it ever hit- would be the end of them all, but he didn't rest on that. No, right now, he rested on the smiles, the laughter- the moment of peace and what bits of life it permeated.

"And when the time comes, try not to blink, or you'll miss me lookin' cool when I protect ya!" He attempted to hug the hybrids in quick succession, before jumping back with a laugh.

"...and I, you two." They couldn't help the internal scream, the beg not to. They had lived so long by the skin of their teeth, by Bless' luck... It was bound to run out, someday. They would rather.. They would rather die alone, than see everyone around them fall. "...just... Try not to get yourselves hurt if I ever need protectin', y'got it?... Dunno if I'd be able to handle you two gettin' injured for my sake."

A pause.

"...just....stay safe,....and...keep Bless safe, is all I ask." Barely a whisper.

[galaxies-unknown-a]

Nothing beat a day of adventures and running around. But now… Now all Harmony wanted to do was find the most comfiest lap and flop on it. Sorry Bless, you’re gonna be a pillow tonight as Volt just snickers.

That would have warranted an apology... Were it not for the fact that Bless was all too happy to comply. For him, it had been a rather lax day at the Inn, figuring out his next delivery route on his Mobius while Node hid from the public. The two had come over to visit, but with Harmony out and Volt working... Well, they'd needed to find ways to not be bothers, and those were their best methods.

The sun was just beginning to set as the tired fluffhog opened the front door to the inn, panting quietly even as she trudged towards the first familiar lap she saw. Bless hadn't even noticed until she was practically on top of him- and by now, it was too late. All he could do was throw his tablet to the next chair right before Harmony, with closed eyes, flopped down onto his lap.

A few moments later, purple smoke enveloped the hedgehog... And he transformed into his werehog self. His face still held his rather shocked expression, even as the teen used a leg to pull over another chair for the rest of her body and lay what wasn't on Bless on that, a content hum escaping.

The inn had been a tad cold for Bless that day (maybe he was coming down with something, stars forbid), but the second Harmony appeared, that had changed. She was nearly burning, hot to the touch even through his fur.- He stared for a few extra seconds. Even with his decreased speed, time still moved in slow motion for him... But...

This was still enough to freeze him in all his tracks.

It wasn't until Harmony opened a singular eye to give Bless a confused look that he finally snapped back into reality, that puzzled expression fading into a look of contentment.

"Y'know, maybe ask next time?" Even as he gave his small quip, he was already moving a hand to pet the other, blackened claws gently moving over blue fur. There was a mumbled response- one he couldn't make out. The undisguised snickers of a certain hedgefox didn't go unnoticed, but Bless didn't quite take his eyes off the other yet... He continued to pet her, trying not to laugh himself.

This was just how Harmony... Was, wasn't it?-- Energetic until she overheated, and then... Crashed. At least she didn't push herself beyond her limits.

Another round of snickers. This time, Bless did turn his head- but it was not anger that Volt would find on his face... Rather, a smirk-- alongside a quirked eyebrow. He'd find a way to get back at Volt later. Right now...

He turned his head back towards the fluffhog.

"You wish you were me right now..." He murmured it, trying not to disturb the younger hybrid's rest too much.

Harmony, for her part, was fully aware of what she was doing. Even if she was dog-tired and ready to collapse into bed, there was nothing quite like relaxing in the lap of someone she trusted. She could get back at Volt for snickering about it later...

Maybe she'd have to talk to Bless about a nice little prank to set up for the older one...

A small, villainous smile crossed her face at that thought. He'd never see it coming- probably. After all, Bless wasn't their Sonic- which meant he wouldn't think exactly the same... So the prank wouldn't be that predictable!... Maybe. Probably.

... Thoughts for later, she decided.

Right now, she just wanted to relax.

[galaxies-unknown-a]

Harmony had made a promise. Now was as good a time as any. While Node was relaxing inside the cool AC of the Inn lobby, they would suddenly get a bit more weight in their lap. Not from the preteen, but from the blackish purple winged serpent that was her pet. Thankfully he was as lazy as could be, looking up with his red eyes and….

Pfffbbbbt

Blew Node a raspberry.

This was it, Harmony was going to kill them, they knew it from the start, oh God---

Node's tail had very quickly gone from it's usual furriness to nearly appearing like a fluff-bomb had gone off, or like Node had decided to stand next to Volt while riling him up. They kept a straight face, having had more than one encounter with snakes out in Sanden and not wanting to provoke the other... Although the snake did look kind of cute, and the fact Harmony had so casually dropped it on Node without a single comment probably meant it wouldn't eat them-- probably, ri-

"....didyoujust--" They giggled. Okay. That was unexpected, but welcome. They stuck out their tongue playfully towards the snake, internal screaming slowly dying down as the pet proved it had no intent to harm (this go 'round). The fox mobian cautiously sank back into their previous pose, deciding not to encourage the snake to bite them, but instead act as he'd will on his own time. Whether he chose to leave or not would be his own issue.

This thought process did not, however, stop the mobian from trying to ever-so-gently run a finger or two along one of the wings, curious of the feel of feather underneath their scarred digit.

[galaxies-unknown-a]

Harmony managed to snag a picture to send to Node. The image was from the cracked bedroom doorway of her father running his fingers through the slumbering werehog’s quills.

[If Daddy asks. You didn’t get it from me. ;p]

Node had been just finishing up the last touches on their latest building, chuckling quietly at a joke of a coworker and high-fiving another. They were (as per usual) coated in the colors of the home. It would have destroyed their clothes entirely, were these not meant purely for paint, in all its forms.

So it was no surprise that it took a while before Node could finally get to their phone, and when they did... Well, their coworkers glanced over at a sudden 'EEEEEEEEEEEE' from the fox, only to look away with rolls of the eyes and knowing grins.

"Y'mind, Squeaks?" One of Node's coworkers chuckled. Node's face colored faintly, but they nodded.

"Yep-- sorry, I'll just...!" They gathered up their things, paint-stained clothes thankfully dry enough to handle with minimal issue. "Y'guys have a good night, see ya!" They tried to teleport-- only for the attempt to fail outright. For a moment, they felt they might trip. Their face colored more. The fox started off, the awkwardness of the situation too much for them to really say anything.

"Tell your fluffbutt we said hi!" One of the others called just as Node turned a corner. They were dying. They were dying. They were absolutely dying. That image was so cute, even if it was through a cracked bedroom door, it was adorable to see the two getting along- better than that, really.

It was precious to see that Volt and Bless were having a gentle night, and-- checking their phone, they could see another text from Volt, a few minutes prior to Harmony.

So, he'd appeared at the Inn... At least they knew where he was, now.

[Give me a few minutes to get cleaned up and I'll be over! Thanks for letting me know- and for tucking him in.]

They breathed out. Right. Calm thoughts, calm thoughts.... They moved their phone back over to the other chat, only to have to clamp a hand over their mouth. Nope, it was too cute, and they were a cuteness pushover. The image had their mind reeling yet again.

[--I may need you to come pick me up. Can't TP atm. ;-;]

They finally rested their sights on the other chat bar, the one with Harmony... And breathed in. Right. Respond-- neatly.

[That's absolutely adorable holy sonova]

They hit send....

.....well fuck that plan then.

[--Don't tell Volt I sent that please. Also, saving that for... Future reference. Thanks, Harmony! ^w^]

They tucked their phone away, now intent on ignoring it until they got cleaned up...

[galaxies-unknown-a]

familylightfox​:

     “Maybe next year, ya can come t’ one o’ the festivals we have.” It was an idea to consider. Most major holidays, that coincided with a change in season, were celebrated in the village the hybrids were from. Volt would happily set them up with a room for the night if that was the case. Something to discuss later, when Harmony wasn’t focused on dragging along Bless towards the tree.

     “Can ya blame me?” Some of that energy from the snowball fight was still running through her, but Volt knew it was only a matter of time before the preteen finally crashed. Either from overexcitement or an adrenaline crash, he was preparing for having to carry her back home by the end of everything.

       For now, she was just grinning from cheek fluff to cheek fluff as they admired her work. The question getting a wag of her tail and a nod of her head. “Uh huh. I like t’ make friendship bracelets and necklaces, so I ordered some special ones online so I could make those fer ya.”

     She was so proud of her work and just how much the couple liked them. Already the preteen was going through in her head of what else she could make for them the next time they shared gifts, but her focus was soon shifting to the gifts being handed to them. Volt had to chuckle as his daughter wasted little time in opening her gifts and looking at the detail on the box and display. 

     He didn’t think her emerald eyes could sparkle any brighter until she opened the second gift and was told exactly what it was, just barely stifling his chuckle as Harmony nearly tackled both of them for a hug each. “Thank Ya so Much! I love ‘em! I’m so gonna be usin’ the camera everytime we go anywhere. And I’ll send ya copies too so ya can see where we been!”

     If allowed to, she’d continue to snuggle them both, but her attention went to her father as he opened his gifts. Watching his features soften brought a smile to her own face as she released Bless to get a better look at the gifts. 

     “I think I have the perfect spot for this at home.” His organic fingers gently felt the surface and he looked back to them with a smile. Unlike his daughter, Volt only closed the space and gave a gentle kiss to a cheek with a whispered thanks. Some traditions were ones he had picked up and forget they weren’t common, but hopefully the couple didn’t mind them. He carefully placed them next to him so that he could secure the necklace with a light wag of his tail.  “Thank you both. For the gifts and inviting us.”

     “Yeh. This was epic. We gotta do this again sometime, oki? ‘S fun t’ hang out with ya both!” Harmony added and held her gifts close to her chest. Safe to say she wouldn’t be loosing them anytime soon. 

     “Happy Holidays Bless, Node.”

“Sounds like fun, so... Here’s to hopin’!” A festival in the others’ town.... Admittedly, it sounded a bit more people-centric than Node would be able to handle for long, but they would still get a kick out of winding through the village with them all, all the same.

“Only as much as I can blame myself.” Bless chuckled at the kid’s enthusiasm. Several holidays had passed during his world’s rebuilding, with many more on the way- so the holidays were a trite less energetic for him than they had been in his youth... Although he wouldn’t lie about finding it fun to be infected with the sort of enthusiasm he’d had when he was a bit smaller, a bit more positive in his ways (not that anything could ever destroy his sunshine of a disposition, or so he’d like to think).

The gifts they’d received were nearly enough for Bless to go on his own hugging spree, but Harmony beat him to it- tackling him and Node in turn with hugs that nearly knocked each off their feet (with Node actually having to perform a light teleport to keep from falling over). He returned the hug full-heartedly, encasing the other in part in his own fur before letting her go with a chuckle.

“Well, I’ll do my best to keep this in mint condition!” And that was a promise.- Bless wouldn’t be losing that trinket any time soon.

Node had been far more reserved, but still returned the hug with a soft smile- their movements a fraction more wooden than the werehog’s had been, although that was to be expected from them.

“Y’better.” Node chuckled quietly at the other’s joy. “If you ever need it repaired, just let me know and I’ll get Tails t’take a look at it.... Can’t wait to see where y’travel, Harms.” They were grateful the pair at least seemed to enjoy both gifts in turn- the carved objects and the camera/drawing. It had felt a hint cheap on their part, but- the others had also done DIY gifts, and those... Felt priceless, so they could only assume the feeling was mutual.

“Phew!” Bless gently waved a hand across his forehead, as if he’d been nervous- which he hadn’t, but humor was always nice, especially on the holidays! He assumed- as the hybrid gave each a peck on the cheek alongside a thanks- that it was some tradition from the other’s village. After enough world-traveling... He’d gotten used to the unexpected. For the most part. Some things... Some things could still knock him on his butt. “No problem!”

Inviting the two had taken a bit of time, but it was by far worth it in the end- from the two meeting some of the others across the multiverse to the snowball fight, and now seeing the two hybrids each happy as could be... It made the whole night worth it, to both werehog and fox.

While it had brought a faint burn to their face, they’d also assumed it was little more than tradition- they knew it was more common in some countries than others.

“Well, I can’t speak for the entire Writerverse Christmas Party, but... Yeah, it’d be nice to hang out again sometime.” They cast a glance around, the crowd slowly thinning as the night itself began to come to a close. “.....somewhere less crowded next go, though.” They hummed. The portal to the multiverse had been re-opened for some time outside, which meant the four could leave when they wished... But a part of them had hoped the night would last forever. It was so rare for everyone to be in such light spirits...

“Happy Holidays, guys.” The two had spoken in tandem, glancing to each other for a second before laughing.- The laughter was quickly ended, but neither could resist a few moments.

“Let me know if you wanna come back next year... Or if y’won’t mind Bless n’ I checking out the village during its festivities.” Node murmured, an ear twitching. “....danke for the gifts, by the way.... Gonna be usin’ the blanket real soon.” That night. Absolutely, utterly that night.

“--whaddya say we all head on home?” Bless offered, smashing the hint of hesitancy in his mind on the spot. “...I don’t know about you all, but that snowball fight took a lot out of me....” And out of all the competitors.... Inevitably, eventually, the two mobians would have to lead their companions to the swirling vortex that was the portal, one way or another... But the memories of this night would be sticking around for quite some time.

[galaxies-unknown-a]

I used to do this, and I’ve officially decided I’ll be returning to the practice- if you’ve interacted at least twice, if not more (in the past six months or so) please like this post if you want your muse to get their own tag on this blog! I’ll list under the cut a few of the tags that will be enacted going forward, and hopefully update the tags page later tonight (as well as a few relationship pages, glancing to you Mog--). For now...

TAG DUMP UNDER THE CUT!

[‘cause everytime we touch/I feel the static: Velte] - Bless x Node x Volt Owned by familylightfox/Mog and m’self

[took the pain/found my own way: voltage lightfox] - Owned by familylightfox/Mog

[dark or light/always shining bright: harmony lightfox] - Owned by familylightfox/Mog

[hellish son/with a heart undone: moxxie devoe] - Owned by sharpshooternomoremoxxie

[blurred blues and determination hues: arrow the hedgehog] - Owned by chaosworthy

[never down/ever lost/I’ll come back/no matter the cost: storm the hedgehog] - Owned by speedsternomore

[galaxies-unknown-a]

familylightfox​:

     That… that was a good question. 

     One that Volt had never actually gotten before and didn’t have an answer to. He knew his kinesis was what allowed him to manipulate electricity and that it drew power from neutral Chaos Energy. But when it came to just how far he could go with it, he hadn’t tested it.

      “Honestly… your guess is as good as mine.” So he’d tell the truth and offer a shrug of his mismatched shoulders. “All I do know is that I can heal injuries on myself and others with my kinesis, and also create an EMP from myself in a pinch.”

     “But you vill not be doing zhat again anytime soon. Your body can not handle zhat much chaos energy at vonce.” The look fixed to him by Augustus made his ears fold back sheepishly. A duck of his head followed, remembering the day he had done just that and had to be half carried out of the research facility by a hedgehog he didn’t really see eye to eye with on a good day. The two took a moment to trade a few words back and forth in the canine’s native language.

     Something about not being that stupid again… Unless the rest of the world was already going to shit.

     “You name the explosive and he probably either has it in his possession, or uses it on the regular. I think his favorite is thermite and plasma charges.” If they needed more details than that, Volt was going to need to make a phone call. Hopefully he wouldn’t have to disturb his brother on his mission and nodded at Bless’ question. “Several actually…”

     Something that was easier to show than describe, but all it took was for him to set his handheld on the coffee table between them for the display to light up again. It was nice to have an living AI listening in on a conversation on occasion. The image would change each time Volt listed off one of them, replaced with a red X I’d they had already been destroyed or not. Luckily it seemed like all of them save for a reddish colored ship that was huge, even on the display, had been.

     “He’s got more of this type than we know what do to with. Pretty sure he’s got a stockpile of them at Eggmanland. His last faceship was destroyed by Harmony during the mission I showed you of her bouncing him around.” Harmony took to glaring at the image of a smaller, and very much more Eggman looking, Ark.

     “I wouldn’t put it passed him t’ make another one like it. He’s so obsessed wit his face that he’s lucky I couldn’t reach him t’ break his nose.” A huff to go along with it as the display flickered off and was replaced by a small hololynx just rocking on her feet. The most she did was wave to Bless and Node but remained silent so the rest of them could talk. If they needed more files, she was more than happy to bring them up on the holoprojector.

     “Around here, only someone with the ability to sense the emeralds are able to summon them. Harmony just happens to be the exception to the rule. The emeralds here can be used by most, but it really only would boost their current abilities, not give anyone one.” A moment to think how best to describe it… Of course. “Like my brother is able to use a Chaos Emerald to boost his connection to the force, but Augustus here wouldn’t be able to do anything with an emerald because he doesn’t have any powers.”

     “Und zhat is vhy I am biomechanical engineer und doctor.” He hardly seemed bothered by the analogy and even smiled at Volt.

     “Don’t think you’ll ever see a Super Harmony. She doesn’t actually have Chaos Energy so she can’t do anything with the emeralds but hold them…”

     “But they’d protect me like Chip would. Cuz I think that’s how his shield was able to hold off Eggman’s missiles.” At least that was her theory on it. “So yer emerald can work fer anybody? Even somebody who can’t use Chaos Energy? Now that sounds dangerous…”

“Oh.” The note reappeared, Node jotting down the explosive names they’d heard by ear- although they were a little more concerned about the whole ‘EMP blast from self that can be harmful’... “I’ll look those up later, mostly the thermite...” They made no attempt to interrupt the quick conversation that Volt and Augustus shared, instead remaining quiet. Don’t do that again...

So this meant it had been done before... And to such a degree that Volt was banned from using it, unless he was in serious danger... But wouldn’t that mean the ability itself was a serious danger?

“You know you’re an egotistical bitch when you have multiple faceships...” It was a low hum as they watched the ships slowly pass by, a small smile flashing across their face for each one that had a giant x across its frame. The biggest one caused their tail to slowly begin to puff again. That... That was a big ship.. And since this was a hologram, it implied that this was a scale model.

“Looks like Egghead’s sticking to size over anything else.” He had to stop himself just short, ready to fall into thinking about how to take the ship down... But he did have a few ideas--!- But this wasn’t his world. They-- they knew better than he did. Right. Gotta keep that in mind.. Their Eggman, after all. “So... Your Emeralds are more like super-chargers?”

The Emeralds had given him numerous abilities... Enough power to do anything, to fight anyone, to win any conflict... Through sheer force. To have them just amplify one’s abilities...

“Hehasaconnectiontotheforce-” The hedgehog nearly wheezed out. It hit him every here-and-there that this world was semi-linked to something akin to Star Wars, but... That was the biggest smack yet. He wanted to use the force. He wanted to use the quotes..!!! “--that’s really cool!” He managed to recover after but a moment, although one could see his tail starting to wag at a far faster speed than normal. “Hey, means you’ve got a leg-up on me.” He grinned. “Can’t say I know much outside of roads, woodwork, and fighting.”

“They do work for anyone, but... You have to be willing to make a deal with my version.” Bless would rather leave it at that, at least in terms of ‘deal’. “...Everyone on my Mobius has Chaos Energy?” A flick of the ear, accompanied by a raised eyebrow. “You’re presumed dead if your body doesn’t have any Chaos Energy on my Mobius...” Hopefully that explained the link. “Most folks back home think I’m just super-speedy because of how much Chaos Energy I have, n’ plenty more think Node’s sick constantly since they have so little.” It was like comparing a nuclear reactor with a Gameboy battery, really. “I guess y’could call it our life force... But it’s not the only thing keeping us alive.”