//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: Downtown Discoveries // Story: Yo-Kai Watch: The mystery of Springdale // by Tythen //------------------------------// The sun shone over Downtown Springdale, where Scootaloo and First Base were enjoying lunch at Nom Burger, a local chain Burger Joint that started in Springdale. "Mmm!" Scootaloo munched on a normal hayburger, "the way they do the hayburgers here are very nice! What do you think First?" "..." First said nothing as he explored the medallium in his possession. He scrolled through what seem to be endless pages of empty medal slots. "Hello? Equestria to First Base!" Scootaloo called, breaking First's trance, but not his attention. "Hey Scoots, you've got to feel this..." First beckoned over, "What's with the see/hear/feel cliché?" Scootaloo grumbled. Without any word, First grabbed his sister's hoof and placed it on one of the legend pages, two connected pages with eight medal slots representing certain tribes. An immense power was surging through the pages of the book, where Scootaloo can feel the vibration and power, shutting her up entirely. "Feels interesting..." Scootaloo replied with amazement, "whatever this is, it feels like there is something inside the pages..." "It's not just that," First continued, he flipped the pages to the first legend page. Though it showed the usual 8 medal slots, three of them glowed a bright light. "So uh, what am I seeing here?" Scootaloo queried, "I don't know, Eight circles of some kind. They look similar to the medal slots, only this time, each has the colour and symbol of a Yo-Kai Tribe." "So we have the Brave Tribe, Tough Tribe, Shady Tribe, Slippery Tribe, Charming Tribe, Eerie Tribe, and Heartful Tribe..." Scootaloo pointed out in order, "The medal slots of the last three tribes I've mentioned are currently glowing on this page and..." She pointed to the Yellow Medal Slot. "I don't think we've seen any Yo-Kai from this tribe as of now, nor do we know what that tribe is..." "Why don't we ask Whisper?" First asked, "maybe he could know..." "He's busy sleeping in today. Luckily, I managed to grab the Yo-Kai Pad off him..." Scootaloo pulled out a familiar device and began swiping the screen. "Now... It seems that Yo-Kai affiliated the yellow colour and wisp-like symbol are known as the Mysterious Tribe..." "But even though we know the tribe, we don't know what Yo-Kai medal would fit in here..." "Let me try..." Scootaloo volunteered as she placed her hoof over the Mysterious medal slot. An aura rushed through her mind as she stood still and experiencing a particular emotion or feeling. "Big Sis?" "I feel something different..." Scootaloo replied, "from that slot, I feel the sound of a bouncing spring... And quiet but echoing words, as if the voice was telling a secret that was loud enough to hear." "Hmm..." First then took his turn by placing his hoof on the Tough Medal Slot and he too, felt a mysterious presence. "Well?" Scootaloo asked, "It feels so... Like..." "Hard to put it into words?" "I feel like somepony who's always strives for third-rate, third place, or the third stallion." "Your feelings are much more interesting than mine..." Scootaloo replied, "In that case, let's experiment a little here..." First replied and this time, his hoof rests on the Charming Medal Slot which was currently shining, the sound of a cat's bell rang through his head. "What did you feel?" "The ringing of a cat's bell..." First answered, "could this... Could this be somehow related to Jibanyan?" "..." Scootaloo immediately did the same on the Eerie Medal slot. A wave of sadness and despair washes over her face and mind. "That's highly likely, because this feels like Dismarelda's aura!" "And what of this?" First placed his hoof on the Heartful and an air of happiness floats through his nose and into his head, "feels so nice and joyful... Yep! This is Happiere's aura!" "So..." Scootaloo guessed, "in that case, whenever we befriend a Yo-Kai that matches the aura in the Medal slots, then we should be able to make that Medal Slot glow!" "So, are you proposing to find and befriend the Yo-Kai required on this page?" "You were interested in it in the first place! And while we are at it, I swore I saw more than one of those pages. Perhaps we can befriend the Yo-Kai for those too?" "Correct, there are five of them in total. Unlike the first page though, some medal slots of the other pages are... blotched out." He showed her the second page, where most of the medal slots seem to be without any colour or symbol. "I... I can't feel anything..." Scootaloo replied as she tried to expect a certain aura coming from the empty medal slots. "Exactly, meaning we have no clue or even an inkling on what Yo-Kai is needed for this medal slot. As for the Fifth and final page..." First flipped the page to reveal the eight medal slots completely empty. "We're completely in the dark." "In that case, let's figure out how to fully complete the first page!" Scootaloo suggested, "Good idea. First off, why don't we use the clues given to us?" First asked, "let's feel the auras of the remaining medal slots. I've got the Shady one." "Then I'll do the Brave and Slippery one!" Scootaloo volunteered and the siblings put their hooves on their appointed medal slots. On the Brave Medal Slot, the flightless filly felt a soft aura which turns tough and strong the more she focused her mind on it. On the other hoof, the aura and magic from the Slippery Medal Slot was very familiar. "It feels like a baby dragon... Like... Spike..." Scootaloo wondered to herself. "Hey First! What did you feel?" Without warning, First immediately stood up and galloped out of the restaurant. "First? What the hay are you doing?" Scootaloo chased after him with confusion, not before she picked up the medallium and cleared the table. "..." First frantically looked around the vicinity of Springdale, desperate to find something. "First! Where are you going!?" Scootaloo called behind as she caught up. "Something is guiding me..." First replied, "and it's telling me where to find it!" "Find what?" "The Yo-Kai who has the same aura in that book!" First replied as he broke into a sudden gallop once more. "Hey! Explain further!" Scootaloo called back in hot pursuit. First eased his speed once he reached the Delivery Bay back alley. His head continued to dart around. "First... I can't... Keep going like this..." Scootaloo caught her breath. "Shh..." First raised a hoof to his lips. "He's somewhere..." "Who's somewhere!?" Scootaloo hissed back, "tell me what you have found!" "The misleading guidance of my friend!" A raspy voice rang out. "Uh..." Scootaloo started looking around her surrounding. "A-And you are???" "I'm Mynimo. The force that guided you here is my friend Leadoni. We look identical, but he and I have different colours." "I can hear you... But I can't see you anywhere..." First called out, "Yes you can. If you didn't, I'd keep my mouth shut! Now use your Watch!" The voice replied, "Oh! So you're a Yo-Kai!" Scootaloo realised as she popped the Yo-Kai Lens out to scan the area. As she aimed it into the docking bay entrance, a small green bipedal Yo-Kai with a horn on his head, a monoeye, a very large hand and long arm on the right, and a small arm and short arm on the left, holding a light purple flag, was rendered visible. "Huh? You look a little different than the other Yo-Kai..." First noticed, "I'm an Oni-type Yo-Kai!" Mynimo explained, "depicted whenever there is a horn on the tippy top of a Yo-Kai's head!" "Okay then Mynimo, why do you want to call us?" Scootaloo asked, "All about my friend. You see, we've been staying close and having fun, leading fillies astray and causing a panic with their parents. One day, he started to do something... Out of the ordinary..." "How so?" "I've seen him beckoning Yo-Kai or collecting different items to someplace or other, never having the time for me. And I thought I would receive the best treatment..." "And???" "I've never paid any attention to it. Until I've noticed that Leadoni was leading some other Oni brethren and asking me some of my most treasured items. To make a long story short, I've never seen them around the pony world again." "Are you trying to say that your friend has become a kidnapper?" "I hardly believe that my friend would become such a horrendous Yo-Kai." Mynimo replied, "that's why I want to find out for myself." "And the reason on why you need us?" First asked, "I can't do it alone!" Mynimo cried, "I need help. I need the best to be my... Bodyguards." "Oh, so you mean us?" Scootaloo arched an eyebrow. "Well, you're ponies who are able to see Yo-Kai! That's certainly some bonus points..." Mynimo gulped, "besides, I need the best treatment, and I can get it with my own hands!" "Your rather spoilt, aren't you?" "It's my nature! Besides, whenever I inspirit any pony, they too will receive the best treatment from those around them!" "Sounds very unfair..." First thought out loud, "Pretty please? Can you guys help me?" Mynimo pleaded, "Well, I guess taking requests from Yo-Kai won't hurt that bad..." Scootaloo discussed with her brother, "I mean, it can't be bad last time we helped out Mr Goodsight..." "Why not then?" First replied, then turned to the Yo-Kai, "we'd be glad to help you out!" "Brilliant!" Mynimo jumped with joy, "One problem though," Scootaloo butted in, "do you know where your friend is?" "For all I know, he's been guiding some Yo-Kai and items of value. If you don't fit under that radar, he's completely uninterested. However, he has been trying to guide you, so I believe that there is something about you that is important to him." "But what do we have which is so important?" First asked, "..." An unamused Scootaloo grabbed her brother's head and forced it to look at the watch. "Oh..." First nodded before he blacked out. At the Academy Shortcut, a blue-coloured version of Mynimo was closing his eyes in focus. He was attempting to pull or guide a certain force towards him. "This way.... This waaaayy..." He chanted, his large hand alternating between beckoning and tugging. "You're very close now... This way..." Coming into the alleyway, was First Base. He was once again in the trance, following the voice of guidance. "Perfect..." Leadoni grinned to himself "I have brought the foal here now!" "Excellent..." A sinister yet crude voice came from the shadows of the alley. From the dark corners stepped out a burly, grayscale, lizard-like Yo-Kai dressed like a punk. With sharp sunglasses and an extremely large pompadour, all while holding a very large nail bat. Beside him are much smaller lizard-like Yo-Kai who were also grayscale, wearing white gauzes around their waists and blue pants, but the sizes of the pompadours were just as big as the Nail-bat wielding Yo-Kai. "Now then, I've finished my deal ..." Leadoni continued as the White Yo-Kai examined the motionless foal. "Can you um... Set your sights away from my--" "NO!!!" The burly Yo-Kai roared, "you have not accomplished our deal!!! We wanted TWO of the foals! Especially the pink haired filly! She has the item that our Chairman needs!" "O-Oh! My apologies!" Leadoni sweated with fear, "I-I'll get her straight away!" "You're wastin our time you little runt!" One of the small Yo-Kai rasped, "no room for mistakes! Yer friend's gonna come with us now!" "Please! No!!!" Leadoni pleaded, "don't harm him! Don't harm Mynimo!" "Hey!" Scootaloo called out from behind First, "you wanted me as well? Well you've got me!" The gang of white Yo-Kai turned back to First to see Scootaloo, standing bravely against the group. "Well well well!" The leader licked his lips, "look who's decided to show her face! It's our lucky day boys!" The White Yo-Kai gang roared and cheered, "you've got a sweet and bountiful price on your Watch, head as well as the head of this little figure here. You'd better come along with us, and we'll make this painless as possible." "Me? My Brother? Sorry, but Yo-Kai who command me to do something is out of question. I want you to leave me alone, leave my brother alone, and leave the two oni buddies alone too. I heard everything," Scootaloo shook her head, "Even so, you're outnumbered here little filly. Tough talking won't save you now!" "We'll see about that!" Scootaloo retorted, "just because I have the Yo-Kai Watch, doesn't mean I'm an easy target. If I can see Yo-Kai, I can rely on them, as they can rely on me!" From her bag, she pulled out four medals. "And with our friendship, we can take down twice the number of you and your gang! Come on out my friends!" One by one, she started inserting the medals into the watch, calling and summoning forth her friends. "Calling Jibanyan!" "Calling Walkappa!" "Calling Cadin!" "Summoning, Charming!" The Watch announced each time a medal was inserted. The Charming jingle and song was played as each of the Charming Yo-Kai that was summoned performed their own dance. "Jibanyan!!!" Jibanyan posed, "Cadin!!!" Cadin posed, "Walkappa!" Walkappa posed, "So... Annoying..." First warbled from the sidelines, "having to hear the same jingle three times in a row..." "I've got one more! Calling Droplette!" This time, the fourth medal was the eerie medal and as it was inserted, a new voice and new jingle was played. "Summoning, Eerie!!!" "Lookily lookily Flippa dede! Lookily lookily Bubba Eerie!" A choir of eerie voices echoed out with a spooky and rhythmic beat, matching the exact description of the mentioned tribe. "Droplette!" Droplette floated in mid-air without any sort of pose. "Huh!" The gang leader was unfazed, "at least you have action to back it up! Here's the prize question though, can your posse beat mine?" "Don't underestimate us!" Jibanyan posed to fight, "I've been fighting wagons and carriages head on!" "And I am a master of 'Cicada Ninjutsu!'" Cadin boasted, "prepare thyselves to face my wrath!" "I'm not much of a fighter, but I can pull some neat tricks with water!" Walkappa added, "Then I'll assist however I can glub!" Droplette waved, "Tear them apart Roughraff!" The Yo-Kai commanded to his posse, "Youze got it boss!" The Roughraff grunted in unision and charged towards the group. "Let's fight with all we've got!" Scootaloo cheered as her Yo-Kai friends were ready to fight back. One of the Roughraff managed to reach Jibanyan in order to deliver a beatdown. Being the cat he is, Jibanyan nimbly dodged every punch, haymaker, hook, lariat or any sort of physical attack that the Roughraff threw. "Gotta be fast!" Jibanyan taunted as he took the opportunity to deal two claw punches against his opponent. "Yow!" Roughraff reeled, "youze gonna pay for this!" And with a vengeful punch, Roughraff landed a direct blow onto Jibanyan's face. "Jibanyan!" Scootaloo called out in concern, "It's nothing!" Jibanyan smiled confidently, "that slap is only half the power I dealt him!" "Min min!" Cadin chirped as he nimbly dodged in and out of another Roughraff, "Stand still you annoying insect!" Roughraff, "I'll squash you to the afterlife!" "Big words of threats for a misbehaving, brawny and brainless Yo-Kai!" Cadin laughed as he pulled out his sword, "time to teach you a lesson! Here's my secret technique!" With one big swipe of his sword, the giant slash upon the enemy seemed to multiply into many small but deadly slashes, overwhelming the White Yo-Kai. "Gwarr!!!" Roughraff screamed in pain. "Cucumbers... Sushi... Pizza..." Walkappa daydreamed, "Hey you! Don't you go loafin' on me! You're itchin' for a beatdown if you do that!" "Huh?" Walkappa woke up, "oh, sorry dude. I have a tendency to loaf sometimes. Do you want to fight?" "Sorry doesn't cut it! But since you ARE sorry, I'll let youze throw the first punch!" "First Punch? I don't use my fists dude!" Walkappa replied, "I use the power of water!" And with a rising motion with his arms, a torrent of water appeared from underneath the Roughraff and swept him off balance, "Glubglubglubglub!!!" Roughraff warbled as a pillar of water slammed into his entire face, "My turn! My turn!" Droplette waved and took in a deep breath. As she inhaled the air, her size grew and grew until it could hold no more. "It's gonna take more than size to beat us!" A Roughraff laughed as him and three others surrounded the water drop Yo-Kai. "I didn't say I was going to fight you like this!" Droplette laughed as countless numbers of water droplets erupted from her mouth at the speed of gunfire, pinning the entire group down to their knees. "Hmph!" The gang leader was still unfazed, "looks like I've underestimated your 'friends'. Looks like I'll have to butt in! Come on boys! Let's show them who there messin' with!" And with a grunt, he stomped towards the four Yo-Kai. "Hah! I'll take down the big bad!" Jibanyan laughed as he initiated his signature move, "Paws of Fury!" "Ha ha ha!" The Gang leader laughed as the cat blows rain down upon his body, "is that the best you can do!?" He readied his club and swatted Jibanyan like a fly, "get out of my way!" "Nyaaa!!!!" Jibanyan cried in pain as he flew through the air and struck First in the face, snapping him out of his trance. "Oh dear!" Cadin noted, "beware opponent! Your next opponent is me!" He pointed his sword at the enemy. "Ha ha ha!" The burly leader laughed, "do you honestly think your little pointy metal stick would be a match for my club!?" He copied Cadin's gesture, pointing his large steel club with symmetrically placed nails. "Well... Uh..." Cadin hesitated and trembled, "Your weapon is nothing compared to mine!" The leader cruelly laughed as he slammed his club where Cadin stood. "Cadin!" Scootaloo gasped as she heard a frightful crunching sound. As the leader lifted his club, Cadin was lying in the pothole caused by the club, flat and crumpled. "I... The enemy has bested me..." Cadin twitched, "I have failed you my friend..." and disappeared in a puff of purple smoke. "Dang it..." Scootaloo cursed under her breath, "these Yo-Kai really are tough! I need the other Yo-Kai to fall back... Otherwise, they'll be in a lot of pain!" "Fall back?" Walkappa overheard, "well... If you say so!" "Retreat! Retreat!" Droplette repeated as she floated to Scootaloo's side. "Looks like your puny friends are no match for me now!" The leader laughed as he and his remaining number of Roughraff started advancing on the flightless filly. "Come on Scoots!" Scootaloo said to herself "think! What would my brother do in a situation like this!?" "Uhh... Sis?" First tapped her shoulder, "Oh, First!" Scootaloo greeted with a smile, "you've snapped out of it?" "I have this Yo-Kai to thank!" First gestured to the unconscious Cat Yo-Kai on his back. "Oh..." "I saw what was going on, tough Yo-Kai huh?" "How can we beat them?" "Well..." First thought, "do you remember those secret agent and superhero comedy comics?" "No?" "Well..." First tried to remember, "there was this villain who had the magic to create multiple images of himself with their own consciousness, overpowering the guard platoon. The Sargent however, seemed to pull out a trick and asked the villains this: 'Which one of you is the strongest?'" "In that case, all the images would say that he is the strongest!" Scootaloo replied, "but that can't be possible because only one--" The answer snapped in her head, "I see where you are going little bro. It's an acceptable trick or tactic to attempt, but these Yo-Kai aren't exactly copies of one another, except the Yo-Kai goons that the leader calls Roughraff." "No need to," First continued, "the idea is, we just pit them against each other. And which Yo-Kai just loves to start fights between friends, family and colleagues?" He pulled out a particular Eerie tribe medal and placed it into Scootaloo's hooves. "I... I'm not sure it will be entirely successful..." Scootaloo replied with concern, but a devious grin appeared on her face, "... But I like the plan." "You done talkin' lovebirds!?" The leader called out, "cause I'm gonna smash you up!" "We're siblings! Not lovebirds!" First corrected, "and yes! We are done!" "Come on out my friend!" Scootaloo summoned, "Calling Dismarelda!" She inserted the medal into the watch, "Yo-Kai Medal, Do your Thing!" "Summoning Eerie!" "Lookily lookily Flippa dede! Lookily lookily Bubba Eerie!" The Eerie tribe rang out "Dismarelda..." Dismarelda sighed as she put on a sulking and downfallen pose. "Good Afternoon Mrs Misery! How are you?" First greeted, "Please don't call me that." Dismarelda grumbled, "and no. I'm not fine, why do you need my presence?" "Listen Dismarelda." Scootaloo asked, "we're in some trouble here, and there is something that we need your help for?" "Really? Somepony actually requires my talents? I'm tempted to do it but..." "Please?" The siblings asked, showing her pleading, puppy-eyed faces. "Our lives are at stake here!" "Is that so?" Dismarelda stood up at a protective stance. "Then I'll definitely help. I may be a downer, but I wouldn't want to see my Hubby or my friends hurt." With a deep breath, she exhaled a thick fog of purple smoke which enshrouded the entire enemy group. When the fog subsided, the White Yo-Kai had the purple aura surrounding them, the sign that they were inspirited. "Argh! I've had enough taking orders from you!" One of the Roughraff complained, "Yeah! So am I!" Another one added, "I'm sick and tired of you telling me to do this and do that! What kinda leader are you!?" "Well, I'm sick and tired of seeing your face and your behaviour!" A third replied, this time talking to one of the Roughraff, "your presence makes my stomach get sick!" "Why you!" All of a sudden, the Roughraff began to attack each other and deal serious damage to each other. The Leader was disgusted by this behaviour and as he too was inspirited, he lashed out. "All of you punks are Idiots! Worthless! Weak! Why in Tartarus am I stuck with the likes of all of you!?" "Shut up!" The Roughraff roared as the piled on their leader and beat him senseless, "you're the main cause of all our problems!" "Wow..." Scootaloo gulped as they saw the cloud of endless fighting between the gang and their leader, "not the best of friends huh?" "I wonder what would happen to Equestria now if the Princess and the five ladies of Friendship fought like this? Not a pretty outcome..." First dreaded, "Hey guys!" Mynimo called from afar. Mynimo long arm grabbed the long arm of his friend Leadoni and was waving his flag to get their attention. "Now's a good time to get out of here!" "Oh! Coming!!!" First and Scootaloo followed the two Oni and escaped from the alleyway. "I think we're safe here..." First gasped for breath as they grinded to a halt in the Rolling Waves Park near the beach. "They'll have a hard time finding us," "Well?" Scootaloo asked the two "are you guys alright?" "Yeah..." Mynimo gave a thumbs up, "we're good alright..." "Mynimo!" Leadoni spoke, "I... I'm..." "I heard everything pal." Mynimo interrupted, "all these things for me, I get it. No apology needed," "I'm still sorry!" Leadoni continued, "for doing all these bad things, leading Yo-Kai to become kidnapped, taking away all those items, and putting even ponies in harm's way." "Listen Leadoni," Mynimo replied, "I understand that you do these things in order to protect me, but nothing would make me more prouder to be your friend than to realise your misdoings." "And uh, I forgive you!" First chimed in, "no hard feelings at all!" "I understand Mynimo." Leadoni replied, "now that I'm free from those White Yo-Kai, I'd strive to get those items back and rescue those Yo-Kai!" "Determined to atone for your sins huh?" Mynimo replied "then why don't I help you? We're both Oni, and we can definitely work together!" "Really???" "Of course! We're friends after all!" Mynimo laughed, "Oh! That reminds me," Leadoni fumbled behind him and pulled out an Aged Charm "this is your treasured thing, right? I couldn't give it to those Yo-Kai, so I decided to keep it for my own, hoping for the day that I can give it back to you." "Hah!" Mynimo laughed, "now I'm really proud to be your friend! You still kept it all this while! But I think somepony else is more deserving of it." He turned to the siblings, "I cannot tell you how grateful I am, to help find my friend, correct his wrongdoings and even protect him from those Yo-Kai bullies. I think you should have this Charm as a token of my eternal gratitude, not to mention my Yo-Kai medal as interest!" With his long arm, he took the charm and handed it to the flightless filly, along with his medal. "Oh! I should also give you my medal too!" Leadoni remembered and gave his medal to First, "thanks for helping me be free from those bullies, now I can try to do my best to undo what I have done! And feel free to call on me, I can help you find the way out whenever you get lost!" "Thanks both of you," Scootaloo bowed, "but you should thank our Yo-Kai friends too! Without Jibanyan, Cadin, Droplette and Walkappa, we would just be as helpless as you!" "Then we're proud to be your friends too!" Mynimo added, causing the entire group to laugh. As they did, the Shady Seal began to glow on the first legend page of the Yo-Kai medallium and the power within the page grew. From above, a 140cm tall, bipedal Yo-Kai stood watching the entire encounter. From the small ponies choosing to fight against the White Yo-Kai, to using the Yo-Kai Watch to call their own friends, and the passing of Yo-Kai medals from Yo-Kai to Pony. With a inaudible grunt, he vanished with a puff of purple smoke.