//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Faraway Friends // by the-pieman //------------------------------// “W-wait, defeat the what? Ally the who? Wh-what’s a Mushroom Kingdom?” Applejack asks in utter bafflement. “What’s a Bowser?” At the final phrase, a group of the shyguys all huddle together and begin fearfully chirruping wildly amongst each other. The mere name seemed to throw the lower members of the tribe into a very controlled frenzy. Though who could blame them when one brought up the one who had invaded countless homelands, conquering everything in the name of his greed, forcing his captives into slavery if they weren’t outright killed by his massive armies? Finally, the Knightguy speaks up again. “King Bowser rules a kingdom opposed to the Mushroom Kingdom. His rule is absolute, and dictatorial, and he often schemes to take over the entirety of the world; he has only been stopped by the combined power of the two great heroes of this world. Mario, who is a powerful and fearless man, is the elder of the brothers, and has smote Bowser time and again, and shows great mercy, even to those that lesser folk would not have the strength of character to forgive. Luigi, the younger brother, is athletic and swift, and has been said to soar into the sky by his own power. Together, they wield the power granted them by the stars to defeat evil wherever it may crop up.” “Well, don’t they sound important...” Applejack thinks aloud, having a feeling that there might be a slight bit of exaggeration in that speech, though on which parts she couldn’t quite tell. “But if ya say we need ‘em then... the sooner we find them the better.” “Indeed. Our best bet is to travel, as swiftly as we may, to the village of the Bright Yoshi; if we can ally with them, they can help the village stay safe whilst I accompany you to find the Star Brothers.” he says. Fluttershy nods, her next words barely audible. “How do we find them? Where even are we right now?” “Our island is named-” he makes a series of clicks, whistles, and short hoots that Fluttershy nods to, “-and the next island over is called Yoshi Island; it is where most of the Bright Yoshi live. They have long been allies of the Mushroom Kingdom, and there is a port there we can charter a ship to the Kingdom from. But to reach the Bright Yoshi on this island, we will need to travel north first, to the edge of the Gray Tribe’s territory.” “‘Grey Tribe’?” Applejack asks. “A tribe of fellow Shyguys, but their philosophy differs from ours.” “How so?” “They believe strongly in the merits of a ‘stab it first, then stab it again, then ask if it is edible’ mentality.” Fluttershy and Applejack both clam up at that. “So... where’s your, ah, princess in all this mess then?” AJ asks, figuring any sentient race would have a some figurehead that protects them from any vile actions being committed. “Princess?” the Knightguy parrots, before continuing, “Our Chief has no heirs at this time.” he says, sounding confused, which only confuses Applejack for a moment before she recalls the Buffalo tribes having a similar setup. “Well, what’s yer chief doin’ about these ah... mean folk?” “Recovering, after a Crested Yoshi bite turned... bad. Unfortunately, all the healing Mushrooms nearby are in the Crested Yoshi’s nesting area, and it is impossible to get to them.” “Well, if there’s something we can do, we should...” Fluttershy says, looking a bit pensive at the thought of all the carnivores having the medicine and not sharing. True, nature was brutal at times, but suffering is not a part of nature. At least, she never considered it that way. If one animal was to eat another, then they should just... end it. Causing pain that lasts and then hoarding all the medicine for themselves, the hunters? Her eyes narrowed just a teeny bit, the vague shadow of what could be mistaken for anger crosses her features. “We must help if we can!” “We- we thank you!” the Knightguy says, bowing low to the caretaker, who blushes. As he straightens up again, he speaks once more. “But we must be away as soon as the meal is over with; we mustn’t be out at night. There are worse things than the Yoshi out at night.” Applejack sighed, happy to hear that food was finally available. It was getting to the point where focusing was difficult. The ponies took their seats at the table as did several others, and soon enough, food was presented. Many varieties of fruit and vegetable, with all manners of odd, jungle-style dishes that the ponies could not fathom the name of just from looking at them. Nevertheless, they ate and, while foreign, they enjoyed it. Only a few moments after the meal was over, the Knightguy leads the ponies to the platform that lowers them to the jungle floor and, much further from the canopy now, they realized how dark it really was. They could see of course, but the amount of shade from the thick foliage that completely surrounded them made the noon-day sun seem like a winter’s morning if it weren’t for the noticeable humidity. This time, he’s carrying two of the metal pikes, with a small, rectangular shield on his back. “Ah, it is good there is so much light... let us be off; follow me closely to avoid the traps.” the Knightguy begins to lead them through the thick, dense undergrowth, avoiding the obvious paths. Along the way, he occasionally has them pause as huge, yellow caterpillar-like animals trundle along. As well, strange, red-shelled creatures with huge and metallic spikes pass by, as do short, smooth-shelled creatures with a dark blue color. Fluttershy is, naturally, curious about all of them, even if Applejack isn’t, and the Knightguy keeps a running explanation going whenever possible for her. “The large yellow insectoids are called ‘Wigglers’. Very docile, completely harmless and friendly... until one disturbs their flowers.” The nearest Wiggler inches up to the party and just walks past, the flower coming out of the caterpillar-like creature’s head was bobbing back and forth almost happily. “Say, what’s with the flower?” Applejack asks, eyebrow raised at the sight of the bobbing flora. “It is unclear, but it seems to be a stopper of sorts. Should one damage or remove the flower, they will become greatly enraged and attack whatever disturbed them. At that point, it is impossible to calm them down, and fighting back is your only option, hence why simply letting them be is the best approach.” “Ah, makes sense... ah guess.” Applejack says, feeling no less confused than before. Fluttershy leans down to inspect a roving spike-shelled animal, who is peeking its head out to sniff her in return. “Ah, a Spiny. Their shells are thin, though very well-protected by the various spikes all over them. While many are wild, the Koopa King has enlisted many of them into his ranks, making them a rather troublesome part of his army. The easiest way to fend one off is to avoid touching it entirely and fight from afar.” “Aww, but they’re so cu~ute!” Fluttershy says, getting a happy noise from the Spiny, who nuzzles her nose appreciatively. “Why would anypony want to fight one?” “Actually, what ah wanna know is, who’s the Koopa King?” Applejack asks, and the Knightguy pauses. “Yes, right... the Koopa King is another title of Bowser’s, among many, that specific one earned through simply being the seat of power that leads all members of the Koopa species.” Applejack furrows her brow as they continue along, thinking things over as she walks. “So... he’s jus’ the King because he says he is? That don’ sound right at all. Sounds like somepony needs ta give him a buck in the buttocks until he gets himself sorted out.” “The only ones who have ever succeeded in thwarting Bowser have been the Star Brothers. None else has ever managed to stop him, and even then, they would not dethrone him completely due to their great mercy.” The Knightguy says as they walk along. “Many crusades of various tribes and species have been on missions to take him down, none of which were very successful in being more than annoyances to him. His might is not to be trifled with... but the moment you truly fear him is when he has all the power.” Fluttershy shivers. “He does sound pretty scary, though...” she admits, getting a soft pat on the withers from the Knightguy. “Do not worry; he does not know you are here, and so the only dangers int he jungle now are-” A blur of dark blue scales and feathers hit the Knightguy in the side, the crested Yoshi screeching as it begins to try biting him. The sound of teeth on metal as it bites his chest shows that the metal mask isn’t the only armor he’s wearing. As Applejack and Fluttershy bunch up, the sound of further movement comes from the undergrowth, and they’re split up by the pounce of a second crested Yoshi. This one, green, opens its jaws wide and shoots its tongue out at Fluttershy, only to get knocked to the side by Applejack charging it. A third yoshi, this one sporting bright orange feathers and hide, steps calmly out of the undergrowth and flexes its claws at Fluttershy, licking its lips. Fluttershy dashes off in an undecided direction, anything to get away from the dangerous creatures. While the Knightguy was certainly armored enough to avoid being chewed, he was not strong enough to handle more than one Yoshi at a time. Seeing the predicament he was in, Applejack rushed up to the Yoshi biting her guide and whalloped it in the stomach with a forehoof, forcing it to let go. Knightguy and Applejack turned to the remaining two Yoshi and began their charge, Knightguy brandishing his weapon and drawing multiple cuts along the orange yoshi’s body, before Applejack, moving faster as a quadruped, gave a dashing headbutt to the green one. The dazed Yoshi leaped up, showing incredible jumping ability and landed several yards away from the fight and its natural green color camouflage it as it ducked into the foliage. Unsure if it was retreating or preparing for a sneak attack, AJ ran over to where she last saw the green Yoshi. Finding nothing, she turned in order to see that the orange yoshi was fed up with its tussle with the armored shyguy and, in one swift motion, licked him up and swallowed him whole. Horrified by the sudden devouring, Applejack was shocked, and the next thing she knew she was seeing stars. The green yoshi from before had shoulder-checked her into a sturdy tree, making an echoing THWACK as the impact damaged Applejack’s vulnerable barrel. Fluttershy, who had flown up and was hiding in a tree, shut her eyes tightly, trying to think of a way out, praying for someone who might be able to save them, but... nobody she knew of was fast enough to get here, or couldn’t get here. It was up to her. Fluttershy stood up and leaped from the tree, dive-bombing the orange Yoshi with a landing grapple, and managed, through various holds and squeezes, to force the reptile to spit up the shyguy in its stomach, and such an excruciating experience on the creature’s organs forced it to collapse as it tried to recover from the force of Fluttershy’s efforts. Two Yoshi down, they only had the green left, and it was advancing on Applejack who was just now getting to her hooves. The yoshi takes notice of Fluttershy and the very disoriented Knightguy and jumps back into the undergrowth before returning seconds later armed with a spear not unlike those wielded by the shyguy tribe. The yoshi held the spear forward and, letting out a battlecry, lunged at the pair, aiming for the weakened Knightguy first. The exhilaration of events and adrenaline was nearly too much for Fluttershy to handle and she felt faint and, once she had successfully rammed into the yoshi’s side, throwing it through several large ferns, nearly collapsed. Her efforts were rewarded though as the Knightguy was given time to regain his senses and when the yoshi returned, still armed and now looked very angry, hurled itself at the Knightguy and pike met spear. The metal tip of the Yoshi’s spear was easily deflected by Knightguy’s armor and the spear was broken in half when it was swung yet again against the steel weapon, wood splintering and snapping as the Yoshi attempted to strike yet again. Angered, the Yoshi delivered a kick to Knightguy, knocking him off his feet and sending him into a tree. At this point, it was Applejack’s turn to get up and both she and Knightguy backed up, the ferocious yoshi advancing menacingly. Knightguy goes to swing mightily at the reptile but the Yoshi, being rather swift, ducks under the swipe and kicks the pike out of his hands into the jungle. If reptiles were even able to sneer, this yoshi would certainly be doing so. Their most experienced fighter unarmed, Applejack feared what might happen. She looked to Fluttershy who was still hyperventilating at both the horrific events as well as the rush. Steeling her nerves, Applejack stared down the yoshi and, rearing back, gave the yoshi a series of flailing kicks to the face. The Yoshi, knocked over, staggered to its feet, but in the time it took for the carnivorous foe to regain balance, Knightguy leaped onto Applejack, who had begun dashing forward. Now riding on a suitable mount, Knightguy had the height he needed and as AJ crossed the Yoshi’s path, Knightguy swung his second pike out to the side and, the momentum carrying it, sent the blade deep into the Yoshi’s neck, leaving the dinosaur nearly headless. Collapsed and definitely only minutes from death, the Yoshi gives one final angered shriek, sounding more like a gurgle before the jungle turned eerily quiet. Applejack turned and, seeing the corpse, turned almost entirely pale. “Di- Did we just...?” Fluttershy takes a shaky, wavering breath, eyes closed and face paler than normal. “We... we did what we had to, Applejack.” she sounds close to tears as she steps forward and carefully shuts the lids over the downed reptile’s glassy eyes. The Knightguy, staying quiet, simply nodded, and dismounted from Applejack to collect his other pike, returning it and his shield to his back. Solemn, he gives Fluttershy a gentle hug, and receives a tight, rib-crushing embrace in return from the kind mare. A moment later, Applejack comes over and joins in, the three sharing a moment of silence for the fallen, enemy or not. The noise does not return to the jungle for nearly eight minutes, and it’s a further ten before they’re ready to be moving again. Fluttershy is, at this point, silent. Applejack doesn’t have much to say, but is now carrying Knightguy on her back, giving him a better vantage point than from the ground. As they come across a stream, the Knightguy speaks up. “Ah, we near the BRight Yoshi village.” he says softly, pointing up the shallow water’s path to where a large number of spiked barricades and a palisade wall encircles a small village, and brightly colored, featherless Yoshi patrol or wander around, a few of them tending to what looks like a small orchard with trees bearing some sort of purplish fruit. “So... what now? They don’t look too open to visitors.” Applejack states, indicating the rather well-built -if primitive- means used to keep outsiders from entering. “They likely are not - this is the main reason we needed your help. They will not simply open the gates for a shyguy, regardless of the story given. You, however, are clearly not a shyguy, and are equally clearly not a Crested Yoshi, and may yet be able to do more than merely get chased away.” he says. “If you wish, I can accompany you to the gate, though if you would prefer to leave me behind and out of sight, I will do so.” “Well...” Applejack thinks. “Maybe if ya just stayed here. If we come in with somepony they don’t like it might not help our case.” The knightguy nods and hops off, staying in the bushes as Fluttershy and Applejack move towards the gate. Several Yoshi stop to look at them, and the ones by the palisade just give odd stares. They had always thought they had seen just about any species on the island, meaning they were from... elsewhere. Good natured almost to a fault though, the Bright Yoshis, aptly named for their brighter, much happier and pastel-like colors of hide, let the ponies enter, and while hesitant, attempted to show hospitality. Noting the injuries the ponies had suffered, an odd sort of salad was offered that the Yoshi mimes eating before giving a happy grin and an energetic “Yip!” The two ponies eat the salad, and both are surprised to feel their muscles untense, their scratches and bruises fade, and even Fluttershy’s mane and feathers smooth out to look like they’ve been groomed a bit. Both are surprised at this, even though it’s a relatively minor effect compared to the others available; this level of healing isn’t common in Equestria. Applejack, of course, simply states this. “Whoo-ee! Ah feel better’n... well, better’n Ah have in ages! No wonder the little guys wanna be yer friends!” The Yoshis, having their own language, begin their excited whooping and cheering as the ponies are led into the village. They themselves could not understand what the ponies were saying, but they could tell the newcomers were grateful and so decided to introduce them to their chief. The chief, a female Yoshi with a six-hued rainbow hide and a golden shell on her back -no wonder she’s the chief- who smiles at the two visitors. “Greetings!” she says, waving to them both. Her voice is a bit nasally, but cheerful. “Welcome to our village; I’ve been told you needed healing, are you feeling better?” “Oh, well... we need a bit of help.” Applejack states, trying not to get dizzy looking at the very distracting array of color the chief Yoshi was sporting. “A friend of ours is in a mighty heap of trouble and... we need some help gettin’ him back. After that, we’ll need ta figure out a way home.” “Really? Where is your friend, and how can we help?” The Yoshi asks pleasantly, still smiling beneficently. “We were told that some greedy lout named Bowser’s got ‘im.” Applejack says, preparing to gauge the reaction this species had to the name. The Yoshis in the hall all stop at the name and turn towards the two, the mood turning somber. “Your friend was taken by him? I- I’m sorry! I wish we could help, but we haven’t anyone to spare for such a big undertaking, there simply isn’t enough warriors in our tribe to defend ourselves, let alone aid you. I... I regret not being able to help you, my friends.” she says, sounding genuinely sad. “Well... we might have a solution to that, actually. A little ways south’a y’all is a village of shyguys who’ve got a ton a warriors, but need medicine somethin’ fierce. They sent a representative with us to see if y’all’d negotiate for a...” she pauses to think of the word. “Ah think they said treaty, but ah could be wrong on the specific word. Anyhow, he’s waitin’ outside in the jungle to hear the answer.” The Yoshi chief looks pensive, thinking it over. “Well... we’ve had bad experiences with Shyguys in the past. I know not all of them are bad, but what’s the proof that these ones are going to help us?” she asks the two of them. Applejack looks the Yoshi in the eyes, and something flashes in the emerald depths of her gaze. “Ah promise, on mah family name, that they’re on the up-an’-up.” Something about her words resonates with the rainbow-hued Yoshi, who begins nodding. “Y’know... I think I trust you; you seem like an honest sort,” the Yoshi says, getting a bit of a titter from Fluttershy. “Alright. They need medicine, and then they can help us, right? We’ll send you with a few loads of our herbs a couple Mushrooms, and then you can return with as many Shyguys as can follow.” she says. “If they’re gonna be our allies, we’re gonna need to be closer than ‘a ways to the north’ of them, so we might as well host them here.” The ponies nod and, once loaded up with some sacks full of various healing plants, head back to outside the village gate where Knightguy is waiting. “So, did we make peace?” Fluttershy nods. “She said that we could bring you these healthy fruits and vegetables, and that we could also bring as many of your people back here as we can.” Knightguy looks over them, then nods. “I recognize a few of these, especially the Mushrooms. They are potent methods of healing.” The comment surprises Applejack and Fluttershy, but neither comments. They’re already speaking to tiny men with spears and defending themselves from ravenous, neon dinosaurs, so both let it slide. Applejack, with the majority of the materials on her back, can’t carry the Knightguy, and he’s too heavy for Fluttershy, and has to stand at the head of the tiny caravan as they head back - however, it seems they took too long in the Yoshi village, as they’re less than halfway back before night begins to fall.