unnecessary multimuse.

"They're nicknames actually. Tails' real name is Miles but he was born with two tails so that's how he got his nickname. Eggman's shaped like an egg but his last name's Robotnik." The least she could do was clarify how those two names came about. "Sonic was the one t' start callin' 'em that and 's just kinda stuck."

As she spoke, she started to make her way down the ventilation walkway that would lead them back into the open air. It was a bit of a walk but not too long to cause either of them boredom. Not that she thought they would since it seemed they could hold a conversation.

"I hope so too. Everybody deserves t' be able t' live in peace." She smiled and turned her gaze to the strange device on his back. "Huh..."

Interesting to say the least. A step was taken to get a closer look, curious if anything. Once the teen had her fill, she stood back up straight and tilted her head. "Well dependin' on how long it takes. I can always help ya get home with my Warp Ring. I should have nearly a full charge on it."

A look of realization dawned over the tinkerer's face. Nicknames made a lot more sense, and were used plenty where he was from. Sometimes nicely, other times not so much. He could only assume that Eggman knew how the latter felt, but he wouldn't ask too many questions there.

"That what I've always thought, but others aren't as easily convinced," it was said casually, no different than one talking about their day or well-known events. It was a cheap way to put how things had been back home but he didn't want to drag down the moment. People did deserve not to be afraid of the streets they walked every day, or what the next day might bring.

The device in question didn't have much to see. A large metal cylinder with a bit of a cyberpunk feel to it; a glowing core with what seemed like miniature robotic monkeys around it and not much else. Unassuming for what it could actually do. He had a feeling it wasn't the only thing around like that, however.

"And how aptly named is this 'Warp Ring'? 'Cause it sounds like jewelry that opens portals or something which would be crazy." Yet, extremely convenient. The fact she talked about it so casually made him wonder but he knew at that point in his life that anything was possible. And that science had endless reach.

"Of this, you are certain?"

How strange, that a reward not be desired. Did not everyone desire a reward once they discovered she was the princess? Wealth, fame, all were obtainable by her decree. It was one of the only things a princess was more highly regarded in than a prince. Even more so that she was the only royal in Hyrule's capital.

The smile that touched upon her lips widened slightly. "You are a thoughtful man." Rare was it, that anyone did things by their own goodness. So much more so, now that Hyrule was in an age of prosperity.

It had a way of leading to greed.

"I do assure," Zelda rose very slowly. Carefully. "If no other possibility, the least I could do is help you find your way home." Her head tilted slightly. "What is the name of your home country?"

It didn't matter to the demon one way or another. There was little he coveted and even less he couldn't get on his own with enough effort. Royalty meant nothing to him, and the same could be said of his own world. Well, worlds. Neither the humans nor demons cared for a monarchy.

Fame didn't appeal to him, nor did wealth. He was content with life as it was.

"You flatter me. I'm merely a man who is satisfied with life presently and sees little wrong with offering a helping hand where it is needed. There isn't much more to it than that." And there truly wasn't. A simple notion, but genuine.

He was happy to move on from it, and to the next issue at hand. How to get home. "I'm afraid that part might be more difficult. I'm from a place called Japan, on Earth. I can only assume I managed to slip through a portal, or rift, that opened between my world and yours."

Thankfully her twin wasn't the only one that could live in the 'here and now', which would be different she was certain for both herself and Miles. Something of which wasn't certain he'd ever done before. Most that came to The English Garden--not via portal--did not know a thing about plants. But she could appreciate his willingness.

Granted there'd been a few that wandered in with little to no interest. Or simply because someone was accompanying their life partner, no interest in what her shop had to offer. It was rare, but the chances of such a thing happening weren't zero. Other times folks were suddenly fans and walked out with half a dozen plants.

"I'm perfectly fine with learnin'! What's important to me is that you put in the effort. It's what I tell anybody that comes in." Of course, she was a natural with anything related to plants at this point, but didn't expect such a thing with others.

Though it went without saying that by mentioning she had a twin, had his undivided attention. A laugh with a bright smile, along with a nod all by confirmed Miles' first two questions. "I hadn't even realized that it was all that rare, but then 'gain it's not often that we come 'cross boy and girl twins. You know the statics just like that?"

Her question was mainly said jest and part of her didn't know if he'd be able to pick up on that. But she had no trouble with explaining if necessary.

Were plants his end goal in life? No, not even close. Miles preferred art of a different kind, and wanted to be a physicist sooner rather than later, but there was nothing wrong with a sidequest or two. Besides, if he was going to be stuck here a while, he might as well learn a thing or two.

"Sounds like something my dad would say," he quipped, a light laugh following. It was true, of course. Effort was everything. Some people just had a different way of going about theirs than others and that was something the teen wished his dad would realize. It wasn't the time to dwell on it, however.

He chuckled a little sheepishly instead. She may have been joking, but she also wasn't wrong. "Yeah, I like things like that. Always kills at trivia and stuff like that. Plus school get boring sometimes so I like to research random things here and there."

It was the problem with being what some called a genius. He got bored easily if something wasn't new and exciting. He tried not to but without some good stimulation to the ol' brain, he couldn't help it. Hence why he took it upon himself to learn certain things if he wasn't spending hours in his sketches and drawings.

Best Princess by Nnalyart

Plenty of stories of her own could be told, preferably during cuddles so that she could seek reassurance if needed. At least her offer of thanking his mum got a laugh out of him, something that hadn't been her goal, but had delighted her all the same. That was her new goal in life after all.

"Sounds like we've got our evenin' planned out then. Thankin' your mum can happen later, obviously." She mused, finally getting close enough and pressing her lips to his. Somehow she managed to press the camera button on her phone in the process, smiling all the while. Thoughts of spending the night so intimately made her smile into said affection. A possible 'blooper'?

Despite him being dense and her being too subtle, she was greatly relieved that she'd FINALLY been the one to confess. Perhaps they'd eventually got there, but their dance with each other was too much for her. Something of which she knew had been with Maurice as well.

"A touch, but obviously everything worked out 'or the best. Good thing I won't have to give you any more clues. I can be as affectionate as possible now." Of course on the other hand, she wasn't going to smother him either. Not that it seemed like he'd mind all that much. "Mhmm it will, but you are right it'll be our story. Don't need it to be the most romantic, not when we have something very real. That's completely ours."

Maurice knew that his Mum, and Dad, were going to be over the moon once he explained what happened that night. He was ready for a lot of 'I told you sos' from his mother, and the earnest but dry sort of compliments that his father had perfected over the years. But that was something to tackle later. He already had his evening planned out.

Mellie wasn't the only one who had smiled not long into the affection. He couldn't help it. Today was one of the best in a long, long time. Not that things were dull, but comparatively they were dim in the light of that afternoon. He was glad things had played out as they were, even if he wasn't the one who had finally cracked and confessed. It clearly hadn't mattered.

"I think I like it better this way, anyhow." As if that much wasn't obvious by then. He would gladly take any affection Mellie was willing to give, and return it tenfold if she asked. And even if she didn't, he liked to think he could read the room enough to know when it was and wasn't needed. If not, well...learning together was a part of all of this, right?

Sneaking in one, quick kiss to her cheek, he straightened back up. Though he didn't go anywhere. He didn't plan to. "My thoughts exactly. Never been one t' care what others think as long as 'm happy. Can't say that'll change much, as long as you're happy too."

Mellie's happiness would be a major factor going forward. Moreso, even, than his own. That much he knew was going to be a fact and, again, he expected some learning factor there. Oddly enough, the idea didn't even scare him a little bit. No, where there may have been apprehension for some, there was only excitement for him. This next chapter was going to be amazing.

If she was completely honest even she didn't know how not only she dealt with not being around other family members. It wasn't as if she hadn't been close with her father, it was just easier to avoid him. Or that was what the blonde had come to tell herself. Was for the best and might sort itself out someday.

Though time was ticking that a time frame that none of them could avoid for forever. Hope against hope, the witch hoped that she still had time to repair things with their father. Maybe someday? Not today, not tomorrow, obviously. So those thoughts were pushed to the very far corner of her mind. THAT part was for the best.

Still, she figured finding out someday would HAVE to happen. It was just one of those things unfortunately, and it went without saying that their parents certainly weren't getting any younger. Not when both twins were grown adults.

"That actually makes sense. Mel always says that there's 'loopholes' in immortality that folks don't talk 'bout. Just 'cause one way doesn't work, doesn't mean that another won't. Difficult in what way exactly?" There was possibility that she was asking too many questions, but figured Rya would say otherwise. Which would be fair.

There was a thoughtful noise on her end this time, suddenly wishing there was somewhere to sit down, given that this conversation was far more interesting. Much more, actually. "I assume there was a time that you were of a popularity? My kind used to be as well, then there came the witch trials, and we went into hidin'. Can't really blame us 'or that." Which nobody hardly could. "But nowadays, there's hardly believe in us either." Though there was a tilt of her head. "Greatly weakened…?"

Everything could die. Rya believed that much. It was just the matter of solving the puzzle for what did and didn't work for whatever entity one might have had a grudge against. Even then, a strategy would need to be immaculate to work correctly. There was nothing quite as angry, after all, as a half-dead deity.

Rya herself had never been that close to the end. She did wonder if it would come one day, but until then she would live as she always had. To her own delight.

She didn't think for a moment that Mellie was going to be the thing that was going to bring her to that point either. Hence, she didn't mind answering the question with an easy air. "I would have to run out of water, in my body that is. With water being everywhere, you can see the challenge. Not to mention I can render most things immobile in the blink of an eye."

This made her smile. For as much as her body had changed, she was still very much a monster. Had all those powers and then some, and she took pride in that heritage.

"Yes, there was. My sisters and I are known as The Gorgon, though I have taken on a much different appearance. By choice," she added, quite pleased with the fact. She was far from ashamed at what she had become. "My sisters have gone into hiding, and have been for a very long time after the Gods tried to come for our heads. It is safer that way. Even with the Gods growing weaker. They get a good amount of their power from humans and mortals who revere them but, as I have said, those old ways of thinking are quickly dying."

His eyes adjusted for the darkness, if only slightly, and allowed him to see some of the shapes of creatures swimming around them. They gave the pair a wide berth and allowed him to turn his glowing eyes back to his companion.

His smile had to say it all. A rumble rising from his chest as they were brought closer once again. "Careful there. I might start thinkin' I'm special too."

Far more subtle in his approach, the hybrid was still smiling as his hands came to gently rest on her sides. A bit of movement with their joined tails to send them in a casual swirl there in the water.

Now if only he could get the soft pulsing glow in the center of his chest to slow. It was giving away just how much his heart was racing.

There was nothing to fear that deep in the water. Not for Rya, and by extension not for Volt either. It would be a swift end for anything that dared hurt the hybrid in her presence and while she could have used a good snack she was more focused on Volt for the moment.

"You are special." There was little but truth in her words, because to her they were just that. Volt was unlike anyone, or anything, she had met before and that was saying something. He was thrilling in a way she didn't know how to put into proper words, but even that inability didn't deter her from spending time with him.

Being in her domain only allured her more. So few bothered to venture there with her there, much less flirt with her in such a vulnerable place. She loved it.

And, as were most of the monster's movements, she so blatantly placed a hand on that pulsing glow. So bright and obvious in their pitch-black surroundings, and yet so flattering as well. It served to make her sandy eyes that much brighter as she leaned in, touching their noses together.

"If you could, I would like it. It is unfortunate you can't stay in this form. which is more reason to use it to my advantage while I can." She knew that Volt had a life to get back to; a real life. He had a place to run, a family to watch after. It was what made these little moments all the sweeter, knowing that there was something keeping them apart. At least a little bit.

Harmony took a moment once she was back on her feet to dust off bits of her fur that had gotten covered while crawling through the vent and offered a smile.

"I'm actually pretty tall for my age, but I betcha your friend would get along with Tails if they ever met." The two tailed inventor loved meeting new people from what the teen knew, but that would be for another time as she started to lead the way towards a safe route out of the facility.

"I'm Harmony. 'S nice t' meetcha Ekko. Even if it was by chance." Another grin and quick wag of her tail.

"It sounds like ya do a lot like some o' the rest of the Freedom Fighters here do. Miss Sally handles all the diplomacy stuff with Overlander and Human relations. Me and my team just keep Eggman busy so he can't plot t' take over the world again." She made it sound so simple. As if this was just another day.

Although there was one other thing on her mind now that she'd gotten him away from Metal Sonic.

Ekko stretched a little once they were in the bigger space, a casual glance to the fans but no present worry on his face. Again, not the first time he had encountered such an obstacle so he couldn't have mustered up fear if he had tried. If anything, he was more confused and bewildered at the moment, but leveled out the more he was there.

Enough that he shot a humored look at the teen. "So...you have a dude named after an egg, and one named after some common body part? Pretty unique names around here, huh?"

So far, her's was the most normal, though he did have to wonder if there was a story behind it given the trend so far. He decided not to ask for now, thinking that getting out was still the most important thing at the moment. He was enjoying the chitchat though, it was nice talking to someone new.

He only understood part of what she was saying, of course, but he got the gist of it. A band of heroes, saving the world and also doing the boring peace talks and paperwork. Sounded all too familiar.

"Yeah, things back home have finally calmed down after some madness, and that's putting it lightly. It's a long story, but...I'm really hoping that things are going to start moving in a better direction now." Too many people had died for that not to be the case in his mind But progress always took a while, and this time he truly thought they would see it.

But it also meant that she usually had to give a demonstration to prove it to those that didn't think much of it.

For now, she tucked it back into her pouch for safe keeping and nodded at the questions.

"It should, yeah." She paused. "As long as 's got enough charge, it can take ya just about anywhere ya can think. Ya saw the little lights, right? I almost got a full charge which I can usually get two jumps outta before 's gotta recharge. That takes a few hours."

Hopefully that would answer the demon's question about how it worked and that he would, indeed, be the first trial of someone who was technically dead.

It answered enough. Yes, he still had questions, and a lot of them at that, but it didn't matter. They could stand there all day, with Harmony explaining this and that, and the demon would likely be none the wiser. That was simply what happened when two souls were from two very different worlds.

However, going to that other world was a concept he was interested in. Seeing what he might be able to do, where it was the teen came from, what the rules were and how they could be manipulated and broken...the notion thrilled him.

Did he plan to cause real harm? Well, that remained to be seen.

"Multiverse...?" The question was cut short before it even began, with Alastor holding up his hands as if to stop the conversation then and there. "On second thought, it's not important. I suppose we'll just see how well your little device works when the time comes to visit."

"That's definitely good news and makes perfect sense. I mean I doubt he'd leave, rarely does that sort of thing with a place we've never been to 'fore. Ah, I was wonderin' what the plan was if he's not at the food court." There was a certain portion of the blonde that didn't want to chase her twin down clear across the mall itself. But if she must, then she would.

Given that she'd never been to one--neither twin had--Mellie had to wonder if EVERY mall was this size, though Phineas did mention something about there being a map. Which made sense, given people would be wandering for ages. Even in her not grown up way of thinking, that sounded like a horrible thing.

"That explains why our parents were so attracted to it then. Dad loves that sort of thing, he's all 'bout the tourist attraction things. We've seen quite a bit of that stuff back home. Then was lookin' 'or the same on this trip." It was funny how their father was all about tourist stuff.

With how that sounded promising, she smiled brightly. "Well that's good news! That way, if he's not at one, we won't have to go far." Not that she minded going far, but Mellie was attempting to not get annoyed--not at Phineas, obviously.

Something told her because she knew what would attract her twin, was that both of these places had to be eye catching in some way. Ever since they were toddlers, he was that kid that was attracted to giant burgers and bright colours. Explained a lot because that was how he dressed as well.

Phineas did wonder, if this initial plan failed, if it wouldn't be easier to use the mall's speaker system to call for the other twin. It would save them a lot of footwork, though the boy wasn't a hundred percent sure where they would need to go to do that. But, he was sure they could figure it out, if need be.

"Our dads sound a lot alike then. Everywhere we go, it seems Dad knows of some attraction or historical point that we just have to see." Which he and Ferb loved. Phineas attributed those trips to his own wanderlust, though he was still more than happy staying close to home and inventing.

In this case, that was good. He knew the mall well and was happy to help Mellie. He decided to lead them to the giant chip stall first, and to little surprise the smell of cheese, meats and spice filled the space around it. Stopping just outside the line, the boy looked around before turning to Mellie.