The next morning after their big day outs, First and Scoots decided to spend their time feeding their insects and doing extra homework.
"Say First," Scootaloo spoke, while feeding both Kuwa and Kabu, "did you manage to get into the Baseball team?"
"I did!" First smiled, while doing his homework, "it was a tough fight, but I did it. How about you? Enjoy your Yo-Kai free day?"
"I don't know..." Scootaloo approached her desk, picking up her cup of water, "Aside from Jibanyan, there were Yo-Kai involved. Just one though, and it wasn't that bad. Maybe it's just... I feel like I'm definitely not going to be left alone now."
"You were warned of this ever since the beginning." Whisper reminded,
"I know, but this is a... 'Different' situation. Hasn't Jibanyan told you?"
"Oh... Right. You remember that fox Yo-Kai?" Jibanyan asked,
"The one who took the victims and us back home in the Massiface incident?" First asked,
"Nyeah, he's uh... Stalkin' your sister."
"WHAT!?" First performed a massive double-take.
"Yep, I'm his final 100th mare in order to become senior fox."
"Wh-What is this supposed to be!? A sacrifice for nourishment!?"
"No no no, don't be silly..." Scootaloo laughed, "he just has to win my heart like his other 99 mares he spoke with."
"Oh..." First gasped with relief, "I thought I would have lost you then!"
"He's going to have a hard time. Mark my words." Scootaloo smirked, as she took a swig.
"Woah!" Scootaloo gasped as she quickly dumped the volcanic contents out of her cup.
"What's the matter sis?"
"My cup! It's... It's lava!" Scootaloo replied, pointing at the lava stain upon her desk.
"Sis? That's water, you filled your cup up a few minutes ago." First replied,
"Really?" Scootaloo asked, rubbing her eyes, the volcanic stain revealed to be just a stain of water.
"Try to be more careful next time Scoots." Whisper sighed as he grabbed a clean towel out of his head and wiped down the table.
"B-But... I swore it looked like Lava." Scootaloo mentioned.
"Really?" First asked,
"N-Never mind..." Scootaloo sighed,
"Scoots? First?" Flash called from downstairs, "you've got a letter from somepony."
"What is it about?" Scootaloo called back,
"I don't know, but it's telling you to go visit your school."
"Doesn't that sound the least bit suspicious?" First asked,
"I see..." Flash spoke, closing his eyes "so you are very well taught to be aware."
"What the!? Flash!?" The siblings jumped once more,
"Do not worry," Flash answered, opening his eyelids to reveal yellow, snake-like eyes, "I won't harm your loved ones, let alone you. I am the Yo-Kai that you saw during the Snow Woman incident."
"Are you the one with that dragon snake scarf that carried Frostina away?" First asked,
"Those dragons are a part of me, not a neck accessory. But if you wish to call it that, then yes. That was me."
"What do you want?" Scootaloo asked,
"Please, I wish for no hostility. I just want you to meet me in person. Up upon the school's roof. Is that okay?"
"As long as you leave our brother be then." First negotiated, a small shiver went through his body.
"You have my word as the leader of Enma's resistance." The possessed Flash beat his hoof firmly upon his chest. "And your two Yo-Kai companions must come along."
"Okay then, see you there!" Scootaloo nodded in agreement,
"I look forward to seeing your presence." Flash bid farewell as the inspiriting aura dissipated away from the presence, leaving Flash unconscious while standing.
"Let's go everypony!" Scootaloo gestured, "and Flash?" She patted her brother's immobile body, "we'll be heading out to school. See ya!"
"Huh?" Flash woke up as the door closed, his eyes returned to normal. "What just happened??? Oh right... Scootaloo said she and First were heading out to school."
"Hey Whisper, I'm wondering." Scootaloo asked as they trotted towards the school and up the stairs, "even if we're living in this place for a long time, why does it always feel like we're visiting something new?"
"Well, Springdale is certainly a big place!" Whisper replied, "and there's a lot places big and small, to be discovered and searched by all!"
"Yeah, exploring around your neighbourhood. It doesn't sound bad at the very least!!! Maybe that's why finding adventure isn't hard, especially when Yo-Kai are involved too?"
"What do you think First?" Jibanyan asked,
"Cold..." First whimpered as he shivered.
"Pardon???"
"It's so cold..." First repeated as he began shivering even further. "I can't move... I'm so immobile... I'm just freezing to death within my own prison..."
"Fir--"
"HELP ME!!!" First screamed, "SOMEPONY BREAK THIS ICE!!!"
"Sweet Celestia First!!!" Scootaloo and the group jumped back, "what has gotten into you?"
"WHAT!?" First yelled back, his view snapped back to reality. "I'm... I'm not freezing? Not trapped?"
"It's summer First, and that ice storm was but a week ago. Are you feeling alright?"
"It... Looks like I have..."
"Why don't you wash up first?" Scootaloo suggested, leading her brother to a nearby shared sink.
"Thanks." First replied as he turned the knob and rinsed his face in hot scalding lava.
"Stop First!" Scootaloo yelled as she pulled her brother out of the lava spewing tap. "What are you doing!? That's lava!!!"
"What do you mean?" First turned around in confusion, beads and drops of lava all over his face. "I thought you told me to wash my face."
"H-How come the lava isn't burning you?" Scootaloo pointed at her brother, "your face would have melted by now!"
"Scoots, it's just water. What are you going on about???" First wiped his face, "I've dried my face and mane, so you won't freak out again."
"O-Okay..." Scootaloo replied, "l-let's just get this over with.
Climbing the northern staircase to its summit, a lone door to their left gave them access to the roof of the school. The siblings and Yo-Kai were able to see the many districts that make up the town. Uptown Springdale with the school above them, Downtown Springdale with the Construction Site in their view point, as well as the vast ocean before them, the cosy and fancy streets of Breezy Hills, and the crowded lanes and apartments of Shopper's Row. To their backs, Mount Wildwood stood strong and proud.
"Well what do you know?" First took in the view, "It's great to see views of the town at a different point."
"Yeah..." Scootaloo nodded, "even regarding the different times of day, it still looks like a completely new landscape."
"Indeed!" Whisper added, "and what's better, we don't have to deal with that hulking giant anymore!"
"You got that right!" Jibanyan replied,
"Massss..." A low voice came from behind as a rising presence shook the surface of the school roof.
"Wait... That sound..." Scootaloo froze, her eyes shrinking in fear.
"Siiii..." A giant shadow loomed over the group, and a shadow that was very, VERY familiar.
"No..." First gulped, "it can't be..." The two foals turned around.
"Faacccceee!!!" A shadow corrupted figure of Massiface roared at them, hair, head, teeth and all. The most notable feature that stayed, was his big red eyes. Glaring deeply into the foal's souls.
"Aaahhh!!!" The foals screamed as they fell to the ground, covering their eyes in hopes that they will not disappear.
"First! Scoots!" Jibanyan and Whisper jumped in shock at their pony friends, squirming and screaming on the floor.
"Snap out of it!!!" Whisper yelled, pulling out an emergency bucket of water and sloshing it all over their faces.
"Wh-What happened?" Scootaloo gasped for breath as she sat up, "I thought I was gone forever!"
"I thought HE was gone forever!!!" First sat himself up too, wiping the sweat off his forehead, developed from anxiety and shock.
"Scoots, First, somethying doesn't seem right with you..." Jibanyan replied, "it looks like you're... Experiencing a lot of bad flashbacks."
"Lava? Disappearing? Frozen?" Whisper picked up, "Do those happen to be related to the Yo-Kai related incidents we had back then?"
"Now that you mention it... Yeah... I feel like we're back there again... With those painful and scary experiences. They were really traumatising now that I think about it." Scootaloo answered,
"This isn't good..." Whisper gasped, "hallucinations, vivid experiences, I think you have a very severe disorder... And I believe that disorder is very common in those who have suffered traumatic experiences such as Guards and Soldiers... Those who had their lives flashed before their very eyes, or had seen the most painful of sights."
"So you've come..." A voice spoke from above, the Dragon-Scarf wearing Yo-Kai floated down towards them and bowed, "It is an honour to meet you properly, Scootaloo and First Base."
"Th-Thanks." Scootaloo bowed back, wincing and slowly recovering from her past experiences, "and I believe you are?"
"My name is Venoct." Venoct introduced himself, "some have called me the Serpent Warrior, or Orochi, back home in Neighpon."
"So... Are you a snake Yo-Kai? What's your story???" First asked,
"A giant monstrous beast of red with two flaming tails..." Venoct explained, "destroyed and burned my entire village... All my family, friends, burned up... And as for me, I swore revenge before my own death, becoming the Yo-Kai I am now..."
"You mean Jibanyan?" Scootaloo pointed towards the cat,
"YOU!!!" Venoct roared at the cat's presence, "YOU are the one I swore revenge on! I will have to destroy you!!!"
"Shouldn't have given him the suggestion sis." First gulped and stepped in for defence. "Jibanyan isn't some ruthless killer. He's a cat spirit who died by the hands of a wagon, and is currently spending his spiritual existence hoping to fight back the ones who cost his life. He's a lot like you Venoct."
"Is that so???" Venoct asked, staring into the cat's eyes. "You look exactly like the beast, albeit a bit smaller and less monstrous."
"Do you know the beast that destroyed you and your home?" Scootaloo asked,
"It goes by the name of Red J. But I haven't seen him since." Venoct replied,
"It does sound like Jibanyan the more I learn about this beast," First pointed out, "but I can tell that Jibanyan only focuses on wagons, not entire villages."
"Anyway, though my search for Red J still continues, I have also been tasked by Lord Enma to fulfill his current goals and wishes: Protecting his son, as well as the ponies from Yo-Kai who wish to do harm. Now that McKraken and his White Yo-Kai has done exactly that, I have formed the Resistance of Enma to oppose them."
"McKraken... White Yo-Kai..." First spoke, "was he the one who was responsible for those who were terrorising Leadoni from long before, as well as inspiriting Frostina?"
"You catch on very quick First." Venoct answered, "Yes. He was responsible for those events. He was also responsible for letting a monster like Massiface loose around the construction site, trapping Ponies and erasing their existences."
"So now we know the name behind all this..." Scootaloo growled, "Looks like we're getting closer and closer to the source of these paranormal occurrences..."
"About that..." Venoct replied, "Like ponies, Yo-Kai has free will of their actions and decisions, so I'm afraid that stopping McKraken won't be able to stop these paranormal occurrences."
"Oh... Really???" Scootaloo gasped,
"There is the possibility of more than one of a Yo-Kai. There can be more than one Pandle, one Fidgephant, many more. A familiar Yo-Kai that appeared on the street might not be the same Yo-Kai that you know and befriended."
"We're... We're not going to stop this... Are we???" First asked,
"Do not give up all hope. As you have kept on befriending Yo-Kai, Yo-Kai are very much mindful now of who and what they inspirit. Thanks to your efforts, it is clear to Yo-Kai that they can be seen very frequently by Ponies."
"Oh well... That actually does sound promising."
"Yes, and it is a very big advantage to us." Venoct explained, "it has forced McKraken to use more of his White Yo-Kai. Yo-Kai who are under his command, share his ideals, and wreak havoc on both Yo-Kai and Pony world."
"If McKraken's all that you said. It could be a silly question, but are we on his most wanted List?"
"Of course." Venoct replied, "scouts and spies have reported numerous attempted attacks and ambushes on you and your family."
"Are you serious!?" Whisper gasped, "but our lives have just as been as normal!"
"As they should be." Venoct nodded, "I've been taking care of that personally, as is that vain fox. Even more so now than before."
"I think I can understand why..." Scootaloo chuckled in embarrassment,
"But that's beside the point. I want to give you a proposition here."
"Hmm..." Scootaloo replied, "You want us to join your cause, to protect the Yo-Kai World, which in turn, protects the Pony World?"
"I wish I can offer you more than just the mere benefit for your safety."
"Do you really need us that bad???" First asked, "have you fought this McKraken guy before?"
"... No..." Venoct replied, "perhaps I may stand a chance against him as of right now, but I can't take the risk. It could lead to severe collateral damage for both."
"Meaning you've only resorted to just defending the town against the White Yo-Kai, correct?"
"That is to say, yes..."
"Well, if we both face a common goal as of now..." Scootaloo thought about it, "what do you think?"
"If we're able to carry out our normal Yo-Kai involved lives thanks to Venoct, I guess we should return the favor." First asked,
"Do I have a say in this as well?" Whisper asked, "as a butler to the siblings, may I submit a suggestion?"
"Go ahead,"
"I'm not so sure that I trust Venoct." Whisper answered, "he may be a powerful Yo-Kai, but I've rarely heard news about him and his resistance on the Yo-kai news. Only news that pop up are very bad ones."
"Perhaps Yo-Kai media is controlled too. It could be slandering and propaganda." First counter-suggested.
"But if that's the case, wouldn't there be like you know... Some information on Pony Hunting?" Scootaloo added,
"We're gyoing off topic here." Jibanyan reminded, "do you wanna help him or not?"
"In the end," Scootaloo concluded, "we can get a very strong friend out of this. Even if he could take on this power-hungry fool by himself. As Flash said, we should always help those who would bring peace, justice, and all those righteous words."
"Yeah. I like the sound of that." First agreed, "Hey Mr Venoct?"
"Have you made your decision?"
"Life may be unpredictable in the long run, and I don't know how long we'll work for, but I think it's for the... For the..." Scootaloo' hesitated as her eyes grew small once again,
"Sis?" First turned to face his sister, who is now sweating profusely.
"It's hot... So hot in here... Why does it feel like a volcano? And the ground... It's shaking too..."
"I do not quite understand." Venoct replied, "while it is currently summer, it is not hot enough to match the temperature of a volcano, nor are we in the middle of an earthquake..."
"No..." Scootaloo trotted to the edge, grabbed the fence and pointed to every body of water around her. "The swimming pool... Catfish Pond... The entire Ocean!!! It's all Lava!!!"
"Is... Is there a problem?"
"Actually," Whisper coughed, "on behalf of First and Scootaloo, I believe that they have gone through some traumatising events in the past."
"So the incident with the Hot Springs, Massiface, and Frostina has surfaced once again." Venoct replied, "Well let me tell you something. Even Yo-Kai can have dreams, nightmares, and hallucinations. And I have been a victim of such."
"Really?" First asked, his body feeling the chills once again. "Then h-how did you get over it?"
"A lot of reflection into my past..." Venoct explained, "the destruction of my village, the death of my family and friends. My oath of vengeance, made me to what I am today."
"R-Reflection?"
"Meditation." Venoct answered, "or rather, I know somepony that can help with that."
*Bwoo... Bwoo..." The Watch Radar glowed,
"Or maybe, there's a Yo-Kai involved!" Scootaloo replied, turning around and scanning the area. Behind them were three Yo-Kai in a row, playing their pranks on the siblings for a minute before realising that they were being watched.
"Oh! Uh... Hi!" One greeted,
"An Icy version of Droplette, very dark red shades of Blazion and a yellow fish with a fan on its tail." First picked out.
"Woooo..." The Icy Droplette exhaled a gust of ice towards First's direction. While it softly blew through his face, mane and body, it unknowingly triggered the memory.
"PLEASE CELESTIA!" First painfully yelled at the top of his lungs, "PLEASE! FREE ME FROM THIS FROZEN HORROR!"
"Stop it!" Jibanyan yelled, rapidly nuzzling the traumatised foal.
"Rrrrrr..." First's shivered in fear, his teeth chattering and colliding with each other, holding the fires of the two-tailed cat close. "My entire body is so numb..."
"I... I don't think we're feeling very well..." Scootaloo gulped, "because of those three. Right?"
"Let me see..." Whisper looked through the wiki. "The one that looks like Droplette is called Slush, and he has the ability to freeze miniscule things like water inside a glass. If many of them show up however, that freezing power will increase bit by bit."
"The Blazion look-a-like?"
"Quaken! He can help those who are disappointed or in depression cheer up from within the heart whenever they're close to his area of effect, which is whenever he takes a step. On the other hand, he can send enough vibrations to make an Earthquake! I believe that because of that, it makes you feel like you're close to a volcano, though... Earthquakes don't always have to happen near a volcano either..."
"Grr..." The long bodied fish growled at the siblings.
"And that is Fishpicable!" Whisper replied, "he is hateful of almost anything! And whatever he hates gets the smack from his paper fan tail!"
"I see... So these three Yo-Kai are messing with your minds."
"Hey!" First called to the three as he regained his mind, "can you please stop with the inspiriting? We haven't done anything to you to warrant such behaviour!"
"Well..." Quaken replied, "we weren't really expecting you to see us..."
"Oh cool!" Scootaloo gasped, "Quaken can actually say more than his name and roar!"
"Yes well, I'm very familiar with my rival..." Quaken continued, "now that I think about it, aren't you friends with him?"
"I thought you said that there was more than one Yo-Kai... What's the big idea Venoct?" Jibanyan asked,
"There is indeed." Venoct answered, "however, it really depends on the nature of the Yo-Kai. I know there are countless of Slush, Droplettes, and delinquents like Roughraff. It depends mostly upon the environmental and mental atmosphere of the land. Other than that, it truly is a small world. I'm the one and only, just so you know..."
"Why should we?" Fishpicable sneered, "I hate the looks on your face, and now that you are able to see us, I hate you even more!"
"Besides..." Slush added, "can't we just inspirit whoever we want? It's just life for Ponies!"
"Not when we realise that it's because somepony else is pulling the strings!" Scootaloo replied, "it looks like we're going to have to settle this right here and right now!"
"Allow me." Venoct bowed, "I shall strike down the instigators." He glared at the trio, "you will not drive them mad any longer!"
"Oh yeah Venoct?" Fishpicable taunted, "and what are you going to--*Snap*" A spectral jaw chomped down upon the fish's face, interrupting his sentence, and making him bite his tongue.
"Gaah!" Fishpicable stumbled out of the grasp in pain, "my tongue!"
"I'd watch that if I were you..." Venoct growled as the other side of his dragon scarf lashed out to bite the trio. The spirit-like fangs razed the forms of the Yo-Kai, as the head quickly drew back for the first head from before to strike again after a split second. This siblings, Whisper and Jibanyan gasped in shock as the dragon heads of Venoct's 'scarf' tore the three Yo-Kai off guard and brutalised them with every breakneck, sound-breaking strike, after strike, after strike.
"Now..." Venoct growled, his scarf relenting. "Are there any other questions? Or shall I strike you down once more?"
"Gwah..." Quaken gasped, complex pain coursing through his arm as he tried to get up, "I... It was just a-!"
"Prank?" Venoct interrupted, his dragon scarf roaring to strike once more, "there is no time for a prank like this... Especially-"
"Venoct!" Scootaloo rushed between the two parties, her arms stretched out in protection, "What are you doing? Stop it!"
"It is prominent that both of you must be in the utmost safety. Anything that will hamper your mental and physical health must be taken care off, especially if it's a Yo-Kai."
"But even so!" Scootaloo refused to move, "Negotiation is of the most upper hand before conflict! And when it comes to conflict, it has to be minimal! You just struck them without any form of resistance and obliterated them!"
"Is that not why I am the Serpent Warrior?" Venoct growled, "besides, negotiation is far beyond the minds of Yo-Kai."
"That's not true!!!" Scootaloo yelled back, "can't you see the three of them? They're scared to bits! Even if Yo-Kai are mischievous in nature, this is too far! I won't let you harm them any further!"
"Hmph..." Venoct growled, "still young I see... There are rules and certain methods that are irrelevant in the horrid times of war. We are currently in such times."
"We know that!" First joined in, "and we know how you felt when you lost your family and friends! Even so, Ponies would never resort to force!"
"And plus! Even if your cause and ideal is considered good, it's not very convincing to see if the leader of the good guys help others by hitting them!"
"Agh... You guys..." Slush moaned,
"Listen," First turned around, "are you sure you guys are not messing with our minds?"
"I-I didn't know you guys were suffering PTSD! Honest!" Fishpicable spoke, "really! I honestly didn't think you'd be suffering really badly about it!"
"Same..." Quaken replied, "since you've told us... I think it's best for us to stop."
"So..." Scootaloo turned around, "you weren't the ones behind all this?"
"N-No." Slush replied, "it's just that you two look ripe for inspiriting. As Fishpicable said, we had no knowledge about your conditions, we only knew you by reputation."
"I see." Scootaloo replied, "Venoct, looks like these three Yo-Kai are innocent. I know you're your own Yo-Kai, but please, Apologise!"
"Hmph... My apologies for striking you." Venoct turned his head, "but I'm warning you, you do anything bad to them once mo-"
"W-We won't!!!" Quaken yelped, "I promise!"
"It's okay." First comforted, "we forgive you, you are just Yo-Kai after all."
"Oh... Thank you..." Slush gulped, "you're so kind and forgiving, not to mention very helpful... Maybe Droplette was right in becoming friends with you..." Slush pulled out his medal, "please be my friend too!"
"A pony that forgives Yo-Kai, even at times of hostility..." Quaken managed to stand upright, rubbing and holding his wounds with one hand, and his medal on the other "take mine too. Glad to see why Blazion was right to pour so much praise to you two."
"I... I'm sorry for annoying you." Fishpicable was the last to apologise, "but thanks for protecting me. Please accept my medal. I don't deserve it, but please."
"I-It's okay..." Scootaloo took the three medals without any hesitation, "It's just that-- It's just... This isn't the way that I would befriend Yo-Kai."
"Pardon?" Slush prompted,
"I wouldn't want to make friends by installing fear, or getting them hurt in the first place." Scootaloo spoke, "right First?" First nodded without a word.
"Enough," Venoct spoke, "you've already made your point about me, and I have already apologised. There's nothing in my soul but vengeance. Understand?"
"So..." First turned back, "if we really are hallucinating about our past journeys, do you know this 'somepony' Venoct?"
"Yes, I believe he is found around the Gourd Museum." Venoct answered, "but a fair warning. It is no easy rehabilitation, as it will put both your physical and mental bodies to the task."
"Fair enough," Scootaloo replied, "we'll do anything to get rid of these hallucinations."
"And your response?"
"Yeah about that..." First shivered, "can we... Can we do this at a later date? Tomorrow maybe?"
"Very well then," Venoct nodded as he began to float away, "I shall give the location should the day come."
Two silent and sick siblings melancholy trotted their way to the museum, with some very melancholy looking Yo-Kai companions behind them.
"Is there something wrong you two?" Whisper asked, "you are on your way to find a cure for your PTSD. Why the long face?"
"It feels like," First replied, "it's as if we just realised what we've really gotten into, times when we've almost had our lives taken are actually coming back to haunt us, like a survivor of a war... Just seeing ourselves swelt in that Hot Spring, seeing our Yo-Kai friends nearly disappear..."
"Not to mention Nate vanishing from my view, or you being frozen solid." Scootaloo added, "and now, in order to stop these paranormal problems, it involves us going to war..."
"I see... That's the problem, is it?" Jibanyan asked, "bad memories..."
"I know..." Scootaloo continued, "that in some way or form, we have to leave this world, and I'm fine with that. But... What we've suffered as a family... I can't stomach it... If we fail, First and I will end up like our parents, and Flash... I don't know how he's going to bear the pain of being the only Sentry left."
"War isn't a pretty or a stepping stone to glory." Whisper added, "and such things carry on to many races and many other worlds."
"You know you don't have to go to this treatment..." Jibanyan suggested, "and you don't have to join Venoct's cause."
"But this PTSD will never go away!" Scootaloo replied clutching her head, "I don't want to see the ocean, river, or the Gourd Pond right now, as a pool of lava! Nor do I want to feel it's heat!" Scootaloo replied, "I- We need to get rid of this, otherwise our lives will never be the same! Even if we decide to fight or not!"
"Are you really sure you want to do this?" Whisper asked,
"Yeah, there's so many crazy things that just happened, but all I want to do is get rid of this hallucination. Right First?"
"Agreed." First replied,
"Now, where do you think this somepony is going to be?" Scootaloo asked as they stood outside the buildings.
"How about that?" Jibanyan pointed to a purple-rimmed mirror with an even darker purple tint, "it seems rather out of place..."
"Hmm..." First examined the mirror, looking at the round reflection, and sliding his hooves across the rim. "It looks it's placed here recently..."
"Then stand back." Scootaloo aimed the watch, and revealed the true nature of the mirror.
"Bleh..." The mirror had two thin arms, two eyes, and a tongue sticking out. "How interesting of you to find me!"
"A mirror Yo-Kai." First noted,
"I've heard word that you are able to clear people's minds with your powers." Scootaloo spoke, "my name is Scootaloo and this is my younger brother First, as well as our Yo-Kai companions Whisper and Jibanyan."
"Pleasure to meet you." Whisper elegantly bowed,
"Yo!" Jibanyan lazily waved,
"Nice to meet you all! I am Mirapo!" The mirror Yo-Kai jumped and waved, "it's pretty amazing to see how even Ponies heard and need of my presence, though I sadly must say I do not know what you are talking about."
"An acquaintance told us that you managed to clear his troubled mind of his past. I was wondering if you can do the same?"
"Oh! You mean the Yo-Kai that seeks vengeance against some rancid beast? I remember entirely!"
"Yeah, him..."
"Very interesting indeed..." Mirapo blabbered, "very interesting... To see Ponies wanting to go through their memories..."
"So uh... This treatment, how does it work?" Whisper asked,
"I wouldn't say this is a 'medical treatment'. Rather, I'd call it a trial, because it goes and works like one."
"What do you mean?" Scootaloo asked,
"My power as a mirror is for anypony to 'reflect' upon themselves. What they did now and in the past, and what they will do in the future. Think of it as a poetic interpretation of looking at the stallion in the mirror."
"And? Doesn't sound that bad..." First continued,
"Let's just say a trip down memory lane..." Mirapo changed to a serious tone, "can end up being a one-way ticket."
"Trapped forever?"
"Naw, just straight-up risking your life. Yours, as well as any Yo-Kai."
"E-Even Yo-Kai too!?" Scootaloo gasped,
"Just because we're dead, doesn't mean we can't die a second time." Mirapo continued, "then again, I was just an ordinary mirror that kept his shape for hundreds of years, which is how I came to be."
"So let me get this straight..." Scootaloo structured, "we do this trial that runs for an unknown duration, and it's possible for me, First, Whisper and Jibanyan to die during this process?"
"That about sums it up." Mirapo nodded, "and the rules within your memory are different from the rules here."
"Pardon?"
"Your ability to see and summon Yo-Kai like us using that?" Mirapo pointed towards the Watch, "Not going to happen,"
"Wh-What will we expect in this trial?" First hesitatingly asked,
"What I exactly told you, your reflection. What I showed to the Serpent Warrior, was his haunting past of nightmares. The consequences and risk he suffered through his trial, will be the same for you."
"Our reflection."
"I wish I can help whisk you away whenever you're in danger, but I'm afraid I can only observe. So I must ask: Are you sure about doing this? Even if it may cost you your life should you fail?"
"..." The siblings looked at each other, then to their Yo-Kai companions.
"It's your personal decisions here." Whisper replied, "but whatever you do, I'll support you. As a butler and a spirit."
"Same!" Jibanyan waved, "I'll stick by both of you! It's the least I can do!"
"Sister, are you sure about this?" First asked," we may not see our friends or Flash for real if we fail in this..."
"... It hurts... I'm scared..." Scootaloo spoke,
"Sister?"
"Those three times... I was scared... Scared of dying, scared of losing Nate, scared of losing you... And yet, when we went through... We fought, and fought..."
"Until the bitter end..." First finished, nodding in understanding.
"It's been a long time since we survived those fatal adversities, and yet we find ourselves scared of it."
"It's like those war veterans who survived the war. They've said they've suffered a lot. Loss of their friends, allies, lives, sanity. It's awful..." First explained,
"Exactly... But ever since we've encountered Yo-Kai. There were things that we've experienced and done, that nopony in existence or reality could ever do. And to tell you the truth... We did remember saying it before right?"
"A month ago, when we accepted the fact that our lives would not be the same?"
"Yeah." Scootaloo nodded, "so we traded our normal lives, for something strange. We'd better use that strangeness to our fullest."
"I... I understand."
"We may be different little bro, but we jumped into the World of Yo-Kai together. It's fair to say that we plough on through sticking together. You cool with that?"
"... Of course sis." First nodded, "even if we have nightmares... If we've brushed past death before, we can do it again!"
"Nopony said this was going to be easy..." Scootaloo nodded, "Mirapo?"
"Yes?"
"We'll risk our lives, to take the trial for the sake of our future!"
"Very well..." Mirapo nodded, "then can all four of you step closer to me?" Nodding, the four figures trotted, walked, or floated forward.
"Best of luck to all of you!" Mirapo announced as his mirror-face emitted light as bright as white,
"Ahh..." The four gasped in awe as the bright white light became brighter and brighter, engulfing all within their rays.
When the light died down, Mirapo was back as the normal dark-purple tinted mirror, with a purple rim. The only difference is, Whisper, Jibanyan and the siblings, were nowhere to be seen...
*TO BE CONTINUED...*