//------------------------------// // Taking flight pt 2 // Story: Tengu of Sky and Earth [Cancelled] // by mattchilly //------------------------------// Once Yukari left I quickly went back into the changing booth and changed into the robe. When I came out Nitori had left. “So, Arashi how do you plan to find everyone?” Momiji asked. “I’m thinking to just take it one day at a time. maybe when I’ve gotten more use to my wings I’ll take a few trips around Equestria. I’m sure some Gensokyens will be easier to find then others. Knowing Yuuka she’s going to make a new sunflower field if she’s here, and Kanako will probably make a new shrine somewhere, but considering how Kanako and Tenshi helped Porky I’m not going to let them go without some kind of punishment.” I said before I thought of something. “Hey Momiji, can you teach me how to use my sword and shield?” “I’ll think about it, after our Danmaku battle.” Momiji replied. “AH CRAP! I didn’t even think about that! I’m going to have to have a Danmaku match with everyone else from Gensokyo aren’t I?” I asked. “Most likely. I remember the first time I saw a Danmaku battle. It was both beautiful and terrifying. So how much did Yukari teach you about Danmaku?” Rarity asked. “Just the basics.” I replied burying my face in my hands. “This is going to suck!” “Look at it this way. Marisa had to work hard to get where she is, so if she can do it, so can you. By the way Nitori wanted me to bring you to the Sugarcube Corner so you can meet everyone.” Momiji said. “To be fair she was raised by Mima, but thanks, Momiji. That really helps.” I said. After my clothes dried, I put them back on but decide to go bare foot since I’m sure that if I wear the geta I wouldn’t be able to go two steps without falling on my face and fallowed them out of the boutique to a house that looked like a giant ginger bread house. As we walked in I wondered why the lights were off but then I realized two things. First is that my eyes adapted to the dim light much faster than before and second is that I could see everything in the room as with the same clarity as I could when the sun had almost finished setting, so I was able to see that the place was set up for a party with balloons and streamers all over the place. “SURPRISE!!!” At this shout, the lights turned on dozens of ponies and six women jumped out from their hiding places. As I looked around I saw the rest of the ‘mane six’. The adorkable, master of magic Twilight Sparkle. The rainbow mane, blue coated, fastest flyer of Equestria, Rainbow Dash. Pinkie Pie party master and possible wielder of chaos magic. Honest and nurturing Applejack, and the adorable, animal whisperer Fluttershy. Seriously I barely kept myself from pulling an Elmyra from Tiny Toons. I also not only saw Nitori and Aya but I also met the four others from Gensokyo who live in Ponyville. Shizuha Aki the Goddess of Turning Leaves has yellow eyes, shoulder length blond hair with a simple brown hair band that has two red leaves attached to it, a long red dress and its trim was light orange with cut-outs that look like leaves. She also wore simple white socks and black shoes. Shizuha’s sister Minoriko Aki a Goddess of the Harvest whose bare foot, has red eyes and shoulder length dark gold, a red had with a string of grapes on it, a poofy sleeved yellow blouse under a red apron with pictures of wheat near the bottom. Kasen Ibara has piercing red eyes pink hair with two white cloth buns on the sides of her head, a white shirt, with a knee length green skirt with a brown cloth with a thorny vine on it the made its way to a rose ornament just below her collar. Her right arm is completely covered in bandages and on her left wrist is a metal shackle with a broken chain. The Greater Fairy Daiyousei has light green hair tied into a pony tail on the left side of her head with a yellow ribbon, a long blue dress with white sleeves and see through golden wings. Kasen approached saying. “You’re the one Yukari chose? Can’t say I’m impressed.” Before I could reply, Nitori walked over and said. “You’ve only just met him Kasen, you really should get to know someone before you judge them. I made a similar mistake earlier and I’m in no rush to see someone make that same kind of mistake.” Kasen gave Nitori a curious look before nodding and walking away. Nitori watched with a sad expression but Daiyousei placed a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry Nitori. I’m sure Kasen will take your advice to heart. She does tend to judge people quickly.” “Thanks Daiyousei. I hope you’re right.” Nitori replied as Twilight joined us. “It’s nice to meet you Arashi. I’m Twilight Sparkle.” “Nice to meet ya Twilight, Momiji said that Nitori’s living with ya which leads me to ask. How often has her creations exploded?” I asked with a teasing grin. “HEY! My creations don’t explode… that often.” Nitori exclaimed in mock indignation. “Besides the two of us have been working together on projects so that’s not a problem anymore.” “Does that mean your optic camo doesn’t short circuit anymore?” I asked. “We haven't manged to fix that yet but we’re close to figuring it out” Twilight replied. “Well I know one thing. When you do complete it Marisa should NEVER get her hands on it. If she can sneak into the Scarlet Devil Mansion and get away with some of Patchouli’s books without it, she’ll be next to impossible to catch with it.” I said as Nitori’s face went pale. “I never even considered that!” she gasped. “Why don’t you make it that only people whose magical signature is programmed into it can use the camo? From what I know about her, Marisa doesn’t know anything about programming.” I suggested. Nitori’s and Twilight’s eyes light up with excitement as the new idea. Nitori said. “Arashi you’re a genius! How did you think of that?” I shrugged, “I’ve played video games with a similar concept. The first one that comes to mind is Metal Gear Solid Four which had almost every weapon on the planet connected to a single program so only people with the right kind of nano-machines could use them, but the program also extended to some equipment and vehicles. If you do make this kind of program, please be careful of who gets their hands on it. In the wrong hands in can become an incredibly powerful weapon of destruction.” “Thanks for the advice Arashi. It might be tricky to implement into the camo, but we should be able to manage it to make the program rather quickly if we make it our main project.” Twilight said. “Let’s get started first thing in the morning!” Nitori said as her eyes shined with excitement. I looked at Daiyousei and we chuckled at Twilight’s and Nitori’s excitement. “Well I wish the two of you luck. I’m going to go meet the Aki sisters, it was nice to meet you Daiyousei.” “Nice to meet you too Arashi.” Daiyousei replied with a friendly smile. As I walked through the crowd I met the rest of the ‘mane six’. Rainbow wondered if I was as fast as Aya and was disappointed when I said no, but promised that she and Aya would help train me. Pinkie hoped over and welcomed me to town before handing me the best chocolate cupcake I’ve ever tasted. Much to my surprise Fluttershy came to me and was even more kind and adorable then she is in the show. When I found Shizuha and Minoriko they were talking with Applejack and Zecora. Zecora is the first to notice my approach and much to my surprise she didn’t speak in rhyme. “Welcome Arashi. I’m Zecora, this is Applejack, and these are Shizuha and Minoriko Aki. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” As Zecora introduced them Applejack, Shizuha and Minoriko gave me a welcoming smile and small wave. “It’s nice to meet the four of you, and if I may ask. How have the two of you been with gathering faith?” I asked. Minoriko’s grin grew so it went from ear to ear. “We’ve been getting more faith then ever! God’s were practically unknown when we arrived so we don’t need to fight other gods over faith. Thanks to that we don’t even need shrines but they still pop up occasionally.” “Congratulations you two!” I said. “But people still tend to prefer to prey to Minoriko.” Shizuha complained. “Even though everyone loves seeing the leaves change, and there aren’t any other gods I still get the short end of the stick!” I gave a reassuring smile. “At least you’re still here. We don’t even know how many people really got out of Gensokyo.” Before Shizuha could respond Momiji tapped me on the shoulder and said. “I hope you’re ready because it’s time for out Danmaku battle.” “I was hoping you forgot.” I said. “Unfortunately, you’re not that lucky.” Momiji replied. “You’ll also have to do all seven in a row. As fun as this party is it’s getting late, so we’ll have to rush em.” I there was only one response suitable for this situation. “AW CRAP!”