The afternoon sun lingered in the sky, lazily melting small amounts of snow off Yarno. Leaving massive puddles of mud and water along the grassy areas.
Which was where a small band of Yonies stepped. They whistled and sang together, using the patter of their gentle feet on the wet grass to make a beat.
Grey clouds slowly drifted into place, steadily blocking the sun out of the region as usual. But they sang to send these clouds away, believing they could listen to them.
So they continued to march, their Yomies close behind. In no time, the distant sight of Full-Forward came into view. White steam escaped from the giant towers in the distance.
Each of the six towers produced different products. And they were coming over for one of them, that being some Rainbow Sweet Pies.
They stopped marching for a brief moment to admire the lively city. Variants moved through the streets as Scalers jumped from rooftop to rooftop, getting places quicker.
Until being able to see got difficult. They turned to look at each other, trying to figure out why. When they couldn't find an answer, they looked above.
Where they were met with powerful gusts of wind. Sending them tumbling all over the place, screaming for their Yomies to come help them.
Yomies instantly entered a frenzied state, ready to give up their lives in order to save their mates. Only to find another Yomie standing right before them with his arms raised.
"I'm sorry for the entrance," Ether apologized. "I came here to bring back some Variants to their home here in Full-Forward. Are you guys okay?"
In response, one of the Yomies stepped forward and pointed at him. "Give us our Yonies before we take them from you!!"
Pearl dropped down beside her partner, closing her fists just in case they tried to fight. "Then come get them before I throw them at you and hopefully break a bone when they land."
Ether's eyes widened, he couldn't believe what Pearl just said. Whether she was talking about the Yomies or Yonies getting a broken bone, he knew that wasn't how to talk to a stressed out Thresher.
Yet they did not care. Instead of taking chances, the Yomies picked their mates up and hugged them tight as they retreated. While they walked, the Yonies wept into their shoulders.
Staining the greenish-white hair they had. But what happened to their hairs did not matter as long as their only reason to live was safe and alive.
"Tell us, Yo... eh..? Y - Yomie..? Y - Yon - Yonie??" the same Yomie from earlier questioned. "Where is your partner, Thresher?"
Before Ether could respond, Pearl interrupted. "I'm his partner and he is a Zegus. But if you all REALLY insist, this is a Yonie - MY Yonie."
"W - we see... Yonie... right! Yes, Yonie. Tell us, Yonie, why did you land here instead of the city?" she asked.
Ether kept a worried look in his eyes on Pearl's back. "Because me and my family aren't from here. We just wanted to visit for a bit and bring the others back home."
The Yomie glanced at the Sky Beasts. Who had their heads tilted down, looking at their masters in case they gave an order. She shivered at the sight of all Thawed and Ferals looking down at them.
Realizing it was probably a smarter move, she nodded. "Yonie and bebril (animal), lead your family behind us. We can walk to Full-Forward together... and hopefully brush over this while eating some Rainbow Sweet Pie."
Not wanting to let Pearl answer, Ether stepped forward and nodded. "Of course! You all can go ahead, though. I need to make sure everything is good before we can leave."
It was the opportunity the Threshers were looking for, one to escape from this awkward situation. So they took it without a second thought, stepping around the group while keeping a close eye on the Ferals.
As they went on ahead, Ether turned to the beasts and ordered the riders to dismount and make their way towards the city. Despite expecting to see them going slowly, they all darted off the backs of their beasts to reach Full-Forward.
Eagerly rushing towards their new life as a presumed dead warrior. They knew some things could be off, such as the fact they were still protected by portions of Conqueror armor.
Regardless, they knew other Variants would understand and aid them. Because Hitirus' rule was one almost everyone disagreed with.
If anybody could escape, they would be welcomed into Ubitwa and Volatile. Just like any other Variant would be.
When there was only a handful of Variants left behind, Ether's family, he turned to face Pearl. The same worried expression from earlier stuck across his face.
"Why did you become so hostile? It even made me upset when you talked about hurting a Yonie," Ether frowned.
"Huh? Because I still love you, Ether. You know how I get when I see other female Variants talking to you. I get overprotective and possessive over you," Pearl answered.
Orako climbed off his beast, carrying baby Azir in his arms. "But that doesn't mean you should threaten Yonies. They are fragile and adorable. Just like baby Azir."
Ether nodded. "Next time be a little more calm. Those Yomies do the same thing as you, so I understand why they got so aggressive so quick."
Pearl crossed her arms, watching Ether walk towards Etherna and Hylo. She kept thinking about how much she wanted him to accept her like when they first fell for each other.
The memory of being on top of Ether while holding a wound in place after a rescue mission was fresh on her mind. She wanted it to go back to that time.
Being alone with her lover, free to mate whenever they wanted. And careless enough to do it wherever in the house they wanted.
But she knew that time has passed. Now, Ether carried one of their first offspring to the ground. While Hylo refused to get picked up, and instead jumped down.
Time really did take its toll on the young couple.