Have I ever told you about my son?

Remarkable boy. Quite smart!

He was born here in the Great Clock, in the exact center of the universe. Give or take, fifty feet.

My son's name is XJ-0461.

But the Zoni know him as their prince.

Many years ago, a great tragedy occurred in the universe. As a result of a plethora of time paradoxes created by the Fongoid race, who had been blessed with the gift of time travel from the mystical Zoni race, a rift was ripped open in the time-space continuum, nearly leading to the extinction of all life and the destruction of all planets. In order to avoid this disaster, the leader of the Zoni race, Orvus, created a marvelous facility in the exact center of the universe, the "Great Clock". It was used to keep time in order, and dealt with any time anomalies or ripples or irregularities in the universe. However, with great power and great responsibility came great risk.

The clock, much like time itself, was a gift, and not to be tampered with. For one misuse of its powers could destroy the time-space continuum, and therefore the entire universe. That was why Orvus sheltered himself in the facility along with a good friend of his, to protect the clock from anyone who dared to take control of it and use it for their own selfish purposes. Armed with shields, teleportation, a Chronoscepter and millions of Zoni subjects, Orvus swore that he would protect his chamber, the Orvus Chamber, with his life.

However, Orvus knew that he would not be able to protect his chamber forever. No one could live forever, and that rule applied to the Zoni as well. He was an aging Zoni, and though he was still spry enough to take out any intruders, he knew that he needed to have a plan for when he would eventually disappear from the clock. Though he had full confidence in his faithful colleague, Sigmund, Orvus believed that a bigger step had to be made, and he knew just what direction to go in. And that was when the process of it all started. The process of bringing about an heir to the Zoni throne.

...

ACT I: "Royalty"

"Sigmund! Sigmund, come quickly!"

At the call of a familiar voice, disproportionate yellow eyes shot up from his work. His long fingers paused while winding one of the many time cleaners that rattled as they began to work. In a fit of slight panic, the floating, garbage can-looking robot quickly wound the last time cleaner and placed it down so it could join its friends and go to work, then hovered out of the chamber to find his colleague.

Originally an ordinary janitorial bot from Planet Viceron, Sigmund had been found by Orvus many years ago and had been recruited to help take care of the Great Clock. It was a big responsibility to handle, yes, but he considered it an honor to work with Zoni King Orvus himself. But what was Orvus calling him for during a time like this? It must have been very important. Even though he was prone to it, Sigmund tried his best to refrain from freaking out. He was a very nervous robot.

Sigmund came to a halt when he exited one of the many chambers in the clock. He blinked as his gaze followed the bridge that sat in front of him. Its blue glass finish reflected the majesty that was the Great Clock. Golden chambers, buildings, and rings, Zoni fluttering about, sparks of time energy flowing gracefully through the air... it would be almost too much for someone who had not witnessed the clock's beauty. Sigmund looked up from the bridge and gasped a bit as he saw his good friend, Orvus, floating near the edge of the connecting platform. The little pink Zoni, dressed in a teal Zoni suit of protective armor and with his Chronoscepter in hand, had his eyes wandering about the scenery, as if he was taking in the Great Clock for the first time. He was the most powerful Zoni in the facility, yet he was also very gentle, and he liked to simply sit and watch his subjects zip about and the Clock work its magic. It was only when Sigmund approached him from behind that he managed to pull his eyes away.

"Afternoon, Sigmund," Orvus offered with a friendly tone and face.

"You called me, sir?" Sigmund asked, hovering up next to him.

"Indeed I did. And with good reason, too. See, today is a very special day, Sigmund."

"A very special day?" Sigmund dug through his memory banks to try and find what exactly this date meant. "Oh no! Wait, don't tell me! I know what it is, I… I umm… is it your birthday?"

"No no, my dear friend, that's not it," Orvus said with that strange chuckle of his. No one else in the universe had one quite like his. His bright turquoise eyes then seemed to shimmer with hope and excitement as he stared dreamily into the distance.

Sigmund raised an eyebrow as he studied his facial expression. He sure did seem happy about something. But what? What was today?

Orvus continued, "But, in a way, you were close. Today, Sigmund, is the day the Zoni prince shall be born once and for all. My friend, it is time to witness the birth of my son!"

Sigmund felt his figure slump a bit… or more like a lot. This was a familiar situation, one he didn't think would be happening after such a short time after the… last incident. Concern found its way into Sigmund's circuitry as he gathered himself and voiced his worries.

"Another attempt so soon, sir?" Sigmund said with a bit of anxiety in his voice. He also looked doubtful, as this was not the first time he had been told this. "Shouldn't you conserve your energy before you try again? I mean, the last one-"

The Zoni held up a hand and interrupted him, speaking in a tone that almost seemed tense, "This is no attempt. This time it's going to be the real deal. My son will be born today."

"Are you sure...? Because, well… the last few times you were really confident that it was going to work but… it just never happened. I don't want you to strain yourself, sir."

"I am one hundred percent sure and confident that it will work this time!" Orvus exclaimed, his voice firm and eyes filled with determination.

Orvus wasn't mad at Sigmund for doubting him. He very much understood Sigmund's concern for him when it came to him and creating his Zoni child. Four hundred and sixty times he had tried to bear a son from the energy of the Great Clock, but even after all the confidence he had gathered up all of those times, every result was the same: failure. The anomaly would sometimes be too unstable to live on its own or even take a proper figure. Other times Orvus would put too much energy into the anomaly and pass out from utter exhaustion. And some would just up and explode. He had been back to the drawing board so many times, trying to figure just the right balance of time energy and life force to create a stable offspring, but he never could come to a solid conclusion. Until today, that was.

Orvus was an intelligent being and very stubborn when it came to giving up hope. He had promised his unborn son that he would find the right way to bring him into life, and with the new calculations and formulas he had come up with, he believed that today was the day he could finally fulfill his promise. XJ-0042, XJ-0188, XJ-0325, he had failed all of them. But now it was time to give his hopefully soon-to-be son, XJ-0461, the gift of life.

Sigmund looked at Orvus, who was still holding a confident smile. Over four hundred times he had been through this. He knew that Orvus wasn't one for giving up, but Sigmund really wished that he would give it a rest sometimes. Still, Orvus was his colleague and friend, and Sigmund wasn't about to turn his back on him when he was feeling this confident. He guessed… the four hundred and sixty first time was the charm?

"Alright, sir, I believe you. Lead the way," Sigmund said with a hesitant smile.

"Splendid!" If Orvus was walking, he would most definitely have a skip in his step. He zipped a few feet forward before stopping and motioning Sigmund towards him. "Come Sigmund, we must not waste time! Eh, no pun intended, of course. To the Orvus Chamber!"

"Right, sir! Right behind you!"

Orvus zipped excitedly throughout the inner workings of the Great Clock, Sigmund managing to keep up even though the Zoni was going a bit faster. Orvus meant what he said. He just knew that this new formula would work. It had taken him days to simply consider where to start with a new equation on balancing time energy and life force, and he was barely able to keep a grip on reality when he began putting together a new hypothesis and coming to a new conclusion. It was only when he finally reached his new breakthrough that he was yanked back into the present and was able to acknowledge his surroundings again. Orvus was onto something this time. He had full confidence in himself, the Zoni assisting him, and even his unborn son.

The two, after rushing through the countless chambers, bridges, and platforms in the Clock, came to a slow hover as they approached a large chamber that sparkled with a glorious turquoise dome on top. This was it… the Orvus Chamber. The most important and protected chamber in the whole facility. It was this chamber that made protecting the clock necessary, for it contained the very core of the clock. Orvus flexed his fingers a bit before floating up to the reinforced steel double-doors. A golden lock kept the two shut, and only one person was able to open it. Orvus placed his small three fingered hands on the gold lock, which reacted by pulsating a bright light before separating into two, opening the doors. The two traveled inside and Sigmund awaited to hear Orvus' words.

Orvus stayed still at the center of the room. He blinked as he looked at the control terminal. A lever stuck out of a gold mechanism that had a dial attached to it. The most important mechanism in the entire facility. He was glad that he was able to protect for all of this time. But he didn't know how much longer he was able to keep protecting it, and that was why he had to create an heir. His eyes gazed upwards at the Great Clock's core. A stable orb of time energy that kept the space-time continuum intact. It was there where his son had to be born. Otherwise, there wouldn't be enough energy to keep him properly stable.

With confidence, Orvus floated upwards towards the core. Sigmund quickly called up to him, "Sir, wait! Don't you want to take a minute to prepare? You know what this process does to your energy."

"I've never been more prepared, Sigmund," Orvus replied, sending a smile down to his friend. "I have Zoni stationed on planets throughout the universe who will gather raw life force for me to pump into the core's time energy. If we balance them just right, we should be able to do this. Brace yourself, Sigmund. It may get a bit intense."

"Yes, sir," Sigmund said, backing up. He was a bit worried about Orvus rushing into this. He knew that he was eager to create his son, but… he just couldn't help but worry. He was a worrywart. But, like he had said before, he believed in Orvus. Sigmund called up to him, "Good luck, Orvus!"

Orvus smiled again, feeling a bit moved by his friend. He gave a nod and shot right up to the Great Clock's core. His eyes stared into the great orb of time energy. The amount of times he had done this… it was outrageous. He knew that he was rushing into this attempt, but he couldn't help but feel almost over excited. Orvus had been waiting for a very long time for his son to be born. He just prayed that this time was the right time.

Deep breaths.

Concentrate.

Close your eyes and feel it.

Orvus remained silent for a moment before calling out to the Zoni he had stationed on other planets. Ardolis, Rykan V, Quantos, Zanifar, Kerwan, Florana...each planet crawling with life. It should have been enough. "Gamma...Delta...Xi...Psi...Theta...all of you, please, lend me the life force of the planets you are stationed at, so I may forge and birth your prince..."

Each Zoni heard their king's call. As if they were all right next to each other, the Zoni put their hands together in sync and began gathering energy. The plants… the wildlife… the people… all unharmed, yet a small portion of lifeforce was taken from all and stored in the bodies of the Zoni. Their bodies glowed a healthy green, and once again in sync, they spread their arms apart and chanted, "Zoni!"

A green light dispersed from their being and disappeared into the air above them. Orvus felt his own being filling up with the same energy that they had collected. The very essence of life itself flowed through him. It was like he was living one million lives at once. Calmly, Orvus lifted his hands to the Great Clock core and channeled the life force through them and sent it into the time energy. They were like shining green waves gracefully brushing up against each other as they headed towards the same shore. The two energies collided and a bright light emerged from their collision.

Orvus kept his eyes closed as he kept channeling the life force. He was beginning to become heavy. It was like gravity was grabbing him by the whole body and pulling him downwards. The Zoni struggled to keep his position and his concentration. He could endure the slight torture it was putting on his body. This was for his son… for XJ-0461. His son was going to live, whether fate liked it or not. Orvus wanted to be a father. He wanted to raise his son with love and pride for him. He wanted to…

The life force in his body drained, and the rest of it flickered from his fingers. Orvus slowly lowered his arms and his head. He breathed heavily and let out a small groan as gravity and exhaustion finally got the best of him, and he plummeted downwards. Sigmund yelped and quickly caught him before he could hit the floor. He looked at the Zoni with great concern.

"Sir, are you okay? Do you need anything? A chair? Tea? Maybe some food? Ooh! I keep a banana with me in case-"

"No no, Sigmund, I am fine," Orvus said weakly. Sigmund slowly let the Zoni go, and Orvus struggled to levitate himself. He let out a breathy chuckle, "I guess I should have listened to you. I should not have rushed in to this. I just wanted my son to-oh!"

Sigmund and Orvus quickly looked up. The core was absorbing the very last amount of life force. At first, nothing happened, everything seemed to stay the way it was. When Orvus had half a mind to think of this as another failed attempt, a large light erupted from the core, making both Orvus and Sigmund cover their eyes. When they could finally bear to look, they watched with amazement.

The vibrant green life force danced in the bright light, almost like it was putting on a performance. The strands of lifeforce spun around, finding other strands to spin together with. Eventually, each strand wound together and shot upwards, forming what looked to be a green orb before the core gave off another blinding light. This one lasted a bit longer and made the entire inside of the Orvus chamber completely white. As the two Caretakers shielded their eyes yet again, a strange sounding 'boom' was then heard, and Sigmund yelped in fear. After a moment, the light faded away and everything seemed to settle down once again.

Orvus uncovered his eyes, the bright turquoise still filled with wonder. What a show that was! He had never seen the lifeforce dance like that before! He had seen it come together many times, but to perform as if it was a grand ball in a pillar of light was remarkable. But they all came together to form that green orb. Was that...?

The Zoni looked up now that the core had settled down and gave off its usual tolerable blue light. However, out of the core dripped a green orb, which floated down softly. Orvus stood motionless for a moment, his eyes fixed on the orb, until he moved forward into the orb's path. He opened his hands and intercepted the orb, the light barely floating above his hands. It was small. Smaller than Orvus' head. But, the question was, was it… was it really...?

Orvus took a hand away from the orb and used it to poke the light, wondering what would happen. At first, the orb didn't do anything, and it just sat there in Orvus' hand. Then something incredible happened. The light began to morph into a different shape, changing from a simple orb into something that looked like a creature curled up in a ball. Orvus went to touch the light again, but was taken back by to antennas sprouting from it. Another moment of stillness passed by. Orvus stared at the light with fascination and he gasped at it moved slightly. The ball began to open. A round head emerged from the light, and two tired green eyes were seen. It blinked a few times before slightly looking up at Orvus. The creature then turned over and kept most of its body in a ball, but Orvus could see the features. Three-fingered hands, small body, simple looking feet… there was no mistaking it.

This creature was clearly a Zoni.

"XJ-0461..." Orvus said quietly. The small Zoni looked at Orvus again before settling down into the arm Orvus was holding it with. It rested its head and closed its eyes, like sleepy infant. Orvus let out an overjoyed breath. Four hundred and sixty times he had failed to create a son. The four hundred and sixty-first attempt… no fluctuations, stable readings, no sign of discomfort or failure to keep its form. He was here. His son, XJ-0461 was here. Orvus carefully floated down to Sigmund, who was waiting with bated breath. The Zoni was in tears when he came down, "Sigmund, he… he's here. XJ-0461 has been born. Isn't he wonderful?"

"Yes he is, sir. And he's so green. Gotta say, it fits him pretty well. Hey there, XJ-0461, I'm Sigmund, nice to meet-" Sigmund reached to touch the newly born Zoni, but his finger simply phased right through the child's body. This made XJ-0461 upset, as it began to fuss a bit. Sigmund frowned, "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't think that… he might not be fully corporeal."

"It seems to be that way. But don't worry. When he matures, he'll form a proper Zoni body. Meanwhile, unfortunately the only things he will be able to come in contact with are items of Zoni origin and the Zoni themselves, hence why I can hold him," Orvus explained.

"Oh..." the bot sounded a bit disappointed, but he tried to shake it off. "Well, he seems like a solid Zoni specimen to me. He can survive off the energy of the clock's core. You really did believe in this one, sir. I'm… I'm really proud of you."

"Thank you, Sigmund," Orvus said with a smile. He looked down at his newborn son and watched him fuss, still upset about Sigmund phasing through him. Orvus rocked him a bit and spoke in a soft voice, "Shh, there-there, my son. Everything is going to be alright. You're going to do great things for Zonikind. And I'm sure that you'll make me very proud."

XJ-0461 calmed down a bit and looked up at Orvus once again. He blinked and tilted his head over so slightly before reaching up and grabbing one of Orvus' fingers with its own tiny three-fingered hand. The older Zoni chuckled as more tears ran down his face, and he gently held his son's tiny hand.

"Then again, you already have made me proud..."

Wow, I actually love writing Orvus. He is such a great character. And a great father.

So, I didn't have too much confidence in my old AU, so I decided to start fresh with a new AU! I have high hopes for this one, and I hope that you guys like it. I've had this idea floating around my head for awhile. I guess it was time to put it into action.

Make sure to leave a review while picking up your complimentary toaster!

This is Amberdiamondswords, Lordess of Diamond Swordness, signing off!

((Thank you to TheLilyoftheValley for editing))