🐍 Medusa

by Phantom-Dragon

Welcome to Sarpedon – Isle of Gorgons

Somewhere, far across the sea, lies a lonely island. Within a lush, dense and quiet grove, hidden from civilization’s eyes for centuries, rests a garden of statues of animals and people. Upon first glance, they look as if they could live and breathe at any moment. No one knew, however, that these statues were once living beings. Though they neither move or talk, laugh or cried, sing or even dance, they were her only company.

The island’s remaining inhabitant, a lonely young girl. A poor unfortunate soul who had tragically lost her grace, in a misguided pursuit for love. How did it happened? All will be revealed soon enough. Needless to say, however, her past endeavor has resulted in a traumatic event that will forever haunt her for the rest of her life, with a terrible curse. The statues of her past victims have paid the price. Now, she has become an outcast, isolating herself from the world to hide her hideous curse.

But hope's not yet lost, for this distraught girl. A new chapter to her story is just being written.

You Are My Equestria Girls

"HERE WE COME MAUD!!!" Pinkie Pie bounced happily, while her friends, the Rainbooms and Spike the dog followed her close behind.

The friends had arrived on the island dubbed Sarpedon, which was charted to be somewhere between Libya and Turkey, and somewhere near northwestern Turkey. Furthermore, as noted earlier by Pinkie's outburst, the occasion was to visit Pinkie's older sister, Maud Pie.

"Pinkie, I still don't think this is a good idea," Sunset Shimmer voiced her disapproval. "I mean, it's archeology we're talking about here. I doubt they'd want us to drop in, uninvited and all."

"Aw c'mon!" Pinkie scoffed. "Maud will love to see us again! I can't wait to see the look on her face when we yell, SURPRISE MAUD!!"

"Actually, I'd have to agree with Sunset on this subject of the matter," Twilight began. "Professional archeologists would prefer to have the entire site closed off from the public, so as to not have their work disturbed and everything. So maybe we should be a little more respectable and just get off the island."

"Quite right, darling," Rarity added. "Don't get me wrong, I'm fine with your sister's speciality in her line of work, but archeology isn't exactly the work befitting of a lady."

"But Maud Pie told me in her last e-mail that they’re on the point of making history!" Pinkie Pie said excitedly. "It's going to be even bigger than the discovery of King Tut and my discovery of the PERFECT CHOCOLATE TO GO WITH MY CONGRATULATE MAUD PIE CUPCAKE!!!” the pink girl screamed loudly, after she pulled out a large cupcake, out of her hair, which she made specifically for Maud Pie.

Spike's eyes widened in surprise at Pinkie's bizarre antics, "How long has she been keeping that in her hair?" Spike asked.

"That's just Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie, I guess," Applejack chuckled with a shrug of her shoulders.

As any friend of Pinkie Pie would know, when it comes to Pinkie's antics, it's best not to question them, because there's just no firm explanations to how they work. They just happen, unexpectly.

“Speaking of which, remind me again what exactly did Maud and her teams discovered?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Did they land smack-dap on some newly discovered dinosaur fossils? An ancient tomb full of booby traps with treasure at the end? Ooh, oh wait! Please tell me there’s a magical artifact that needs to be retrieved to keep out of the clutches of evil treasure hunters!”

"Uh, yeah!" Pinkie Pie answered. "There’s a magical artifact!”

“Really?!” The athletic girl squealed, excitedly.

“No. But you asked me to tell you that.”

In response, Rainbow Dash's face immediately contorted from an excited smile to a disappointed scowl. To further add injury to her insult, Pinkie Pie took a quick picture of the rainbow haired girl's angry, yet funny face.

The rest of the Rainbooms and dog all laughed in amusement at their rainbow haired friend's predicament, “Sorry Dash," Sunset said, putting her hand on the girl's shoulder in need of comfort. "But we can’t all be Daring Do, you know?”

Rainbow Dash just gave a shrug in response, as Sunset Shimmer turned her attention to Pinkie Pie.

“So what exactly is this archeologic expedition about?” Sunset asked.

“Well, from Maud's last letter, she and Professor Fossil and their archaeology team had discovered an old Greek Town,” Pinkie explained. “A town of statues!” She declared dramatically, with a blast of confetti to further the dramatic display.

The girls and dog exchanged looks, obviously, unsure what Pinkie Pie was getting at.

“Okay, there’s statues,” Spike began. “Anything else?”

“More statues!!!”

Had this been a petty Japanese animated cartoon, the girls and Spike would’ve face-faulted at such a blunt answer. Instead, they just stood there with a dumbfounded expression, as if trying to process the deal with this supposed town of statues.

“Let me rephrase that,” Spike barked. “Anything besides statues?”

“OOOOHHH!!!!" Pinkie singsongs. "There are some houses, buildings, vases, furniture, houses of statues…”

“Okay, ah think we get the picture Pinkie,” Applejack interrupted.

“What’s so great about these statues?” Sunset asked. "Are they anything like the statues on Pompeii, Italy?"

"That would be impossible, Sunset," Twilight lectured, while holding a book she had just whipped out from her bag. "Because the island of Sarpedon has no volcanoes, hence there is no clear records of volcanic activities within the vicinity.

"Good point," Sunset replied.

“It also says here that Sarpedon was formerly known as the 'Isle of Gorgons',” the bookworm added.

“Oh my!” Rarity gasped.

"Oh no! Not gorgons! Anything but Gorgons!" Fluttershy pleaded dramatically, before she questioned, “What’s a Gorgon?”

“Oh, you know? Terrifying snake-like monsters with snakes for hair, large sharp talons for claws, and can turn you to stone just by looking at them in the eye,” Twilight answered. “Sort of like a Cockatrice, but more humanoid.”

“Oh dear goodness!” Fluttershy whimpered in fright.

Everyone all turned their attention to Fluttershy, to see her face instantly turning pale, as if she herself had been turned to stone upon hearing her answer.

“B-But don’t worry, Fluttershy!” Twilight assured, sheepishly. “There’s no such thing as a Gorgon; it’s just a myth!”

“Are-are you sure?”

“Absolutely.”

Just then, Twilight heard a loud hiss and a shot of hot breath brushed into one ear.

“AAAAAH!!!” Twilight screamed. “Cover your eyes!”

Twilight Sparkle had done just that, shielding her eyes with her hands. Just then, she heard an obnoxious laugh causing her to slowly lift her hands down. She turned to see it was Rainbow Dash, realizing it was one of her tricks and her once frightened face turned to annoyance quickly.

“BAHAHAHAHA!” Rainbow Dash laughed. “Gotcha!”

“Very funny,” Twilight grumbled.

Later

"Here she comes!" Pinkie Pie giggled excitedly, after having texted her sister into stepping out of the site and meeting her at the entrance. Before long, the older girl soon arrived at the spot, where her sister had instructed her via text messages, "SURPRISE MAUD!!!" Pinkie Pie hollered.

"Hi Pinkie Pie," Maud Pie greeted in her usual monotone. "What a pleasant surprise." Though she's not one to be so expressive, there's without a doubt, Maud Pie really loves her sister and her fun-loving antics.

"See?! I told you she'd be surprised!" Pinkie beamed happily. "Are you surprised Maud?!"

"So surprised," The older girl answered.

“Maud Pie!” A voice shouted, in which the friends turned in its direction to be greeted by a woman clad in an archeologist uniform. "What is the meaning of this? I thought I was clear this whole site was closed to the public!" the woman berated.

"Sorry Professor Fossil," Maud apologized on behalf of her friends. "It's just my sister, Pinkie Pie. She and her friends came here for a surprise visit."

"Oh, you must be the Rainbooms then," the woman, identified as Professor Fossil, greeted. "Maud Pie has spoken so fondly of you seven. Mainly you in particular, Pinkie Pie," she added.

"Really?!!" Pinkie smiled.

"Of course, Pinkie Pie," Maud Pie replied, while shooting a small, but genuine smile towards her sister. "Everyone, I'd like you all to meet Professor Fossil. She's in charge of the excavation site here in Sarpedon."

With that, the Rainbooms and Spike each exchanged greetings with the professor, “Pleasure to meet you all,” Professor Fossil welcomed.

"So, with all due respect, Professor Fossil," Twilight began. "Would it be alright if we could see what you've been able to unearth so far?"

Professor Fossil looked sternly at the teenagers, and dog, as if trying to read their minds, checking to make sure their intentions were good. After a rather intimidating stare down from the professor, the woman instructed, "Well, seeing as you are all friends of Miss Maud Pie, then you are all welcome. But I strongly advise that you do not touch anything. Remember, we are trying to preserve every bit of history here. Do you understand?"

“Don’t worry, ma’am,” Sunset reassured. “We’ll do our best to respect this place; you can count on us." With that, the rest of the Rainbooms all expressed their agreements.

"Okie-dokie-lokie!" Pinkie Pie cheered.

"No problem," Spike added.

Professor Fossil gave a nod in response, as she guided the girls and dog into the site.

“Whoa!” The Rainbooms and Spike exclaimed, staring in awe.

From their perspective, the initial town had clearly seen better days. But just as Maud described in her letters to Pinkie Pie, the streets were all swarmed with statues which was more than enough to grasp the visitors’ attention.

“Now I see what’s so interesting about this place,” Sunset admitted.

“There’s so many of them!” Rarity commented. “They almost look alive!”

“Just how many statues does a single town need?” Applejack asked.

“That’s the mystery,” Maud answered. “We believe these statues have a connection to whomever sculpted them and why they were made this way. These statues appeared to be made from fine marbles. Most likely a transition from the Archaic Period(c.650-500 BCE) to the Classical Period(c.500-323 BCE), if you note the relaxed postures of the statues, from which they appeared to look as if they could move at any moment.”

“Fascinating,” Twilight noted.

“Feel free to look around,” The Professor stated. “But remember: Be careful!”

“Yes ma’am!” the girls and Spike agreed.

“Aye-aye!” Pinkie Pie saluted.

With that, group of friends and Maud Pie went their separate ways to sightsee the entire site of the ancient Greek town. Little did the archaeologists on the site know, however, the Rainbooms and Spike weren’t the only visitors. Hidden deep in the nearby brush of forest, someone was watching them, lurking in the shadows.

“Ugh! This is so boring!”

Rainbow Dash had been complaining after roughly five minutes, falling on her back with a frown. While everyone else was looking around, examining the town, Rainbow Dash had been gazing up at the sky and already she was bored out of her mind. This did not go unnoticed by her friends, of course, knowing their friend so well.

"How much longer until the next boat comes to take us back to the mainland?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"For the last time, Rainbow Dash," Sunset grumbled. "Not until morning."

With that, Rainbow Dash lets out another groan of irritation, "Ugh! I can't stay on this island for an entire day! I'm an action girl! I need something to do that screams adventure! Like maybe help the archeologist teams find some treasure, maybe foil some booby traps or something!”

“I don’t know about that, Rainbow Dash,” Fluttershy replied, quietly. “I think this is rather nice. It’s so quiet here and calming…”

“Kind of spooky, if you ask me,” Spike interrupted, with a hint of uncertainty.

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked.

“It’s all of these statues,” The dog pointed out. “I mean, look at them! They all look scared, as if something scary was right in front of them.”

It did not occur to the girls when they first arrived in town. But since Spike pointed it out, with a much closer inspection, sure enough every statue in the area bore the same fearful expression. From mouths gaping to screaming with their eyes wide open, all of their faces forever frozen with shock and pure horror.

“You’re right, Spike,” Twilight confirmed. “But the question now is: What were they so afraid of?”

“Could it have been a Gorgon?” Fluttershy squeaked, whimpering in fear.

“Don’t be silly, Fluttershy,” Twilight replied. “Like I said: There’s no such thing as a Gorgon.”

“Yet, there’s such a thing as power hungry sirens, magic geodes, talking ponies, one of them transforming into an insane demon sorceress once…” Applejack listed bluntly.

Suddenly, Applejack realized what she just said when she took note of Sunset Shimmer. The latter didn't say anything. Just stared at her with her arms folded and one eyebrow raised.

“No offense!” Applejack replied, sheepishly.

“None taken,” Sunset replied, begrudgingly.

This was not the first time Sunset Shimmer was reminded of her former evil ways, but for the former bad girl, it was getting rather old hearing it all the same. All she could do was sigh and shake her head as Applejack turned back to the group.

“Back on topic,” Sunset continued. “What were these statues so afraid of?”

“The question as old as time itself,” Pinkie began. “What is the Mona Lisa smiling about? I say she was smiling because it’s her birthday!”

“Not exactly on topic, Pinkie Pie,” Applejack frowned.

“Of course it’s on topic, silly! It’s art! Just like everything here!”

The Rainbooms and Spike could only laugh, shaking their heads incredulously at Pinkie’s random, comedic antic. But then, Spike’s nose began to twitch as he suddenly picked up a peculiar scent. With each sniff stirred a strong, earthly aroma as he tilted his nose in the air. The little dog was about to follow the scent in an attempt to track the source. But the little dog did not go very far when Twilight and her friends took notice.

“Spike?” Twilight asked.

Spike was in the middle of sniffing the air when Twilight’s call drew his attention toward the girls.

“What are you doing?”

“I thought I smelled something,” he answered. “It’s kinda earthy, and I can’t help but get this feeling.”

“What feeling?” Sunset asked.

“Like we’re being… Watched.”

Spike was observing his surroundings mid-sentence, as if suspecting something amiss. The girls were a little concerned yet stood quietly in case what Spike said was true. But then, Spike decided to dismiss it just as quickly.

“Never mind,” Spike replied, shaking his head.

The commotion had drawn her toward town; naturally, this sparked her curiosity. For as long as she could recall, she was the only other soul to live on the island of her exile, which she has now come to call home. If the village is suddenly teeming with life again after all this time, it would only mean that humanity has come to settle on her island, yet again.

Nevertheless, she could not afford the risk of being seen by anyone. For the time being, while observing these strange new people, she kept herself hidden in the shadows, to conceal her unique features. It has been a week since these people arrived on her island, but still she remained uncertain of these newcomers.

“Who are they?” she would ask. “Why are they dressed like that? Where are they from?”

So many questions filled her head, but answer there came none. Yet during her time investigating these newcomers, their objective were clear. They hoped to uncover the origin of all the statues within the ruined town. Little would they know, however, that she alone was their answer. But given to her predicament, she’d rather not reveal herself.

All the same, she felt less alone than she has been after many years of isolation. Even though they are completely unaware that she was there and she in turn was unable to speak with them, she would rather watch them from afar. No words can describe how lonely she was and how much it relieved her to hear the sound of people talking, singing, even the sight of human labor brought tears of joy to her eyes. Deep in her heart, she wished and hoped they would never leave… Not right away, at least. She wishes they could stay on her island forever, or better still, they would be willing to accept her, welcome her… Befriend her even.

It was a rather fond desire she clung onto for a lifetime; the mere thought made her feel… Dainty, like the old days. But in the end, reality brought her back to her predicament. She knew better than to hope too much for one day her deepest and most desperate desire to become a reality.

However, today was different. For nothing could ever prepare her to see a wildly bunch of girls; they were all completely different from one another. Yet they all commune quite harmoniously, colorfully even. Their only companion other than each other is a dog, a talking dog to be precise.

“A talking dog?” she asked herself. “How is that possible?”

Resuming her observation, she could tell the girl with pink, bouncy hair is the oddball of the group. Always smiling, always laughing, always bouncing. 'She must be crazy,' she thought to herself and yet the group could tolerate her presence all the same.

She noticed the girl with the smooth pink hair looks rather timid. She spoke very quietly, appearing rather withdrawn from the rest of the group, glancing from side to side with her wide, cautious eyes. Unlike the girl beside her, with a bright, ruffled multicolored hair, who talks in a deep, raspy voice, she appears to be more outgoing, given to her display of confidence, when she spoke loud and proudly above all the other girls. Yet, in spite of her loud and boastful demeanor, the rainbow haired girl appeared to be a close friend to the shy girl, given to how comfortable they are speaking to one another, and how much they've closed the distance between each other.

Then her attention was turned toward the girl with purple hair. She is beautiful, the observer will give her that. What she couldn't understand was what sort of clothing was the purple hair girl wearing? They certainly weren’t the kind of clothes she had ever seen, let alone worn before.

The girl with blond hair wore a strange looking piece of headwear. Though for the observer, why would a blond keep her hair covered? Surely hair as radiant as the sun itself was one a girl would proudly show off for the world to see. Yet she chose not to, begging the question: Why?

Lastly came the two girls, both staying close to the talking dog. One had a blazing orange-and-red hair, the other a more moderate sapphire blue with pink streaks, which she kept tied in a long ponytail. Those two were the most curious of them all.

Who are these strange girls? How did they find this place? Why did they come at all?

So many questions… No answers…

Sighing sadly, she turned the opposite direction intent on taking her leave. Yet as she left, she couldn’t stop thinking about these girls and their curious little dog. She could not explain it, but they had this “magical” feeling in the air, so strong and warm all at once. This feeling made her wish for her to be part of that… No, she really wished to be part of it. A wish she had held on for countless years, a wish to be with them. To be like them: Alive… Happy… Whole…

She wished she didn’t have to be this way; sadly, that was too much to hope for. They’d be better off without her, never knowing she exists. Luckier perhaps, compared to everyone else who had the misfortune to gaze upon a girl like her. A true Gorgon, the Gorgon of legend herself…

Medusa.