//------------------------------// // Episode 2 // Story: My Little Pony: Nakama is Magic - The Friendship Chronicles // by Hotspot the 626th //------------------------------// Mysterious! Arrival at a New and Unknown Island “This is really weird,” Nami commented as she peered above. She saw that there was nary a cloud in the sky which made her suspicious. A little while ago, the Straw Hat Pirates had been caught up in a powerful storm. It somehow calmed, and they were able to sail forth towards a nearby island properly. Then, a moment later, the sky cleared up. It appeared as if there had never been a storm in the first place. Nami found this fact especially strange. The weather was not the only thing bugging her; the island they were heading towards was on no map that she had currently. It made worst when Robin too lacked any information about this island. Nami began to suggest that they continue sailing, but Luffy had no intention of changing their course. “Sounds like a great adventure to me!” Luffy stated excitedly. “We get to explore an island that no one else has ever been to.” “Plus,” spoke Franky concernedly, “I should check the Sunny out for any damages or else we may not make it to the next island at all.” Nami found that Franky had a point and conceded the notion of turning them around. “I guess if any problems arise, we can probably handle them anyway,” she noted cautiously. Soon, all the crew began to prepare to go ashore. Many were excited to be on dry land again after a week of being out at sea. Most were packing lightly with only a few essential items of their choice to bring along. However, Twilight Sparkle was never one to be unprepared. In one large bag the size of a Minotaur – Franky being the comparison – she had collected all that she felt needed for an adventure into an unknown place. “Let’s see, compass, check! Rope, check! Water canteens, check! Paper and pen for mapping, check! Books on plant and animal identification, check! Sanji will take care of food rations…” “Of course,” Sanji stated dutifully. Twilight continued, marking it down on her scroll. “Check! Chopper’s got the medical kit…” “Yep!” chirped the reindeer excitedly. “Some extra paper, check. Gems for currency, and a few extra for Spike, check! Tents, check! Sleeping bags, check! Pots and pans, check! Utensils, check! Extra rope, check! Extra compass, check! Extra canteens, check! Extra…” As Twilight continued listing off, Nami was both impressed and overwhelmed by how much the crew’s First-Mate packed. “I’m glad we’re finally going into something prepared, but why do I feel like we’re overprepared instead,” she commented aloud. Luffy and Robin along the rest of the Mane Six and Spike instantly laughed; they already understood that this was merely Twilight being herself. Once after Robin convinced her young student to reduce her bag by half, the Straw Hat Pirates were officially ready to explore. It would only be a little while longer before they would reach the shore, but they could see something already. “Hey,” spoke Rainbow Dash sounding baffled. She then pointed and asked, “Is that a town?” Everyone looked out with surprise. Near the mouth of a river, the Straw Hat Pirates could see a town built upon elevated grounds along a cliff. The buildings appeared simple but colorful looking to be made mostly of adobe and wood. Trees were scattered sparsely around. They could see stone pathways built around buildings and lead towards the beach at the foot of the hill. Near the cliff face, there was a small peninsula of land that was home to a lighthouse. And above it, sitting atop the cliff, the largest of all the buildings looking almost like a castle or fortress. Everyone was intrigued. “Let’s go there!” proclaimed Luffy eagerly. The Thousand Sunny sailed to as close to the beach as it could. They were able to get close enough that they did not necessarily need the Mini Merry 3 to reach the shore, but it was suggested by Twilight to help carry her stuff. Once ashore, Fluttershy asked Funkfreed to hold their supplies. All the crew went ashore, fearing no foreseeable threats or dangers to the Thousand Sunny. Moreover, how would they, when the whole town was appeared utterly deserted? “Oh no, not another silent port,” commented Rarity worriedly. Together, the group cautiously entered the area. They remained spread out but close to the group as they traveled up the hill. As a precaution, Twilight gave Applejack and Rarity their respective weapons: a rope and a rapier. She wanted everyone to be on guard, in case of a potential attack like what occurred in Fiore*. While some looked around, Fluttershy remained close to Funkfreed by sitting on his back with the gear. Rainbow Dash floated above the group to keep a larger picture in sight. Luffy and Pinkie Pie let their curious minds lead them as they zipped from building to building. “Wow, these buildings are…” Pinkie Pie then gushed, “so small and cute!” Approaching one building, Robin analyzed it carefully. “These buildings are small, much smaller than even for one fully grown pony to live in.” Spike approached the same building as Robin, heading for the door. It was precisely his size. “Maybe so, but I kinda like it,” said the baby dragon drolly, which made the mare smile. Looking for himself, Franky too commented. “You think we’re in Munchkin Land? You know, like in that movie?” “Well, we were in a storm,” Applejack said suspiciously. Zoro then spoke, “We did also see a witch go flying by.” “We did?” questioned Rainbow Dash. “What she look like?” “You know, orange hair. Yellow-” Zoro was immediately cut-off when a hoof suddenly whacked him on his head. “Ye-ow!” Of course, it was from Nami, currently enraged by the stallion. “Another crack like that and I’ll send you straight to Oz myself,” she stated intensely. Everyone else continued further, chuckling a little, and ignored Zoro’s grumblings. They also further looked at more buildings trying to find some clue. Even looking inside the inside, they could not spy a single pony or creature. Further, they walked through this ghost town until they reached something the peaked everyone’s interests. The Straw Hat Pirates took notice that they had walked into the town’s center. It was discerned so through both Robin and Twilight’s knowledge as four major roads lead out from this particular spot. There were also any buildings around the center that looked distinctly like shops. Each shop had an appearance of an animal that no one – not even Fluttershy – knew of thoroughly. One looked like a chameleon, another a cat wearing a gold coin, one that looked like a steely ghost, and two that appeared like dragons. Then, even more curiously, the group noticed that directly in the center of this plaza there was a statue. It had four different sections stacked up together. The parts were comprised of, from bottom to top, a purple fish, a red bull, a pink bug, and a yellow bird head at the top. “What is it?” asked Fluttershy curiously. Tilting his head, Usopp had an idea. “It looks to me like a totem pole,” he suggested. “What’s that?” asked Chopper and Spike. Robin explained, “Totem poles are monuments made by the ancient ponies or creatures to symbolize any number of events like a story or history.” “Oh~,” said several Straw Hat Pirates amazed. Having taken a moment to look around it, Twilight had discovered something at the base of the pole. “Sensei, I found an inscription!” “Oh,” Robin said intrigued. As her teacher walked over, Twilight began to explain her discovery. “It looks like a plaque for a statue, but it’s not written in any language I’ve ever read. However, I bet you could read it, Sensei.” Never one to brag about her ability, Robin was undoubtedly confident in her knowledge of ancient writing. “We’ll see,” Robin stated playfully to her student. She then looked down at the spot where the other unicorn found the text. Suddenly, she let out gasp. Twilight was astounded. “Sensei?" “That can't be...?” uttered Robin bewilderedly Before anyone could ask further, a shout came from Usopp. “Aah!” Everyone but Robin turned to see the unicorn looking frightened. When asked, he responded shakily. “T-T-The top of the t-totem! It moved!” Quickly, everyone including Robin looked up at the top of the totem. It did nothing for a moment but then began to move to everyone’s surprise. The bird-head section began to clap its beak mouth before suddenly floating off the monument. Soon to follow was the pink one below it, then the red one, and finally the purple section joined them. The crew did not know what was happening, but everyone quickly got on the guard. The four parts of the totem pole began to float around the group for a short while before stopping. Then, all four totem sections transformed before the group’s eyes. It was a simple change. Starting with the purple fish section, it opened like a clam to reveal a black monkey creature inside. It had light blue hair-like appendages flowing out from its head. Its thin arms had three webbed fingered hands. The shoulders each had a purple structure encircling them and were slanted inwardly towards the creature’s midsection. It had a white T-shaped marking on its face which highlighted the creatures turquoise and purple colored eyes. It had an overall fish-like appearance like a merpony but without the pony part. The second one, the red bull, was similar. Both red sides opened to the top revealing a black bull creature. It too had white markings under its red marks under the eyes and on its chest. The creature's hands looked like hooves, its shoulders encircled by a red structure, and its lower body like a bull’s tail and bell. In its nose, it had a white ring. Its eyes were of turquoise and yellow. Its overall appearance was similar to a bull. Next came the pink section. It was unlike the previous two creatures for instead of its body separating into two; it popped out of the top making the rest of its form its body. However, like the last two beings, it was also a black monkey-like creature with pink and curly hair-like appendages sprouting from under its cone hat. Two strands in particular, which had made up the antenna for the bug totem, were longer and hanging from the front. Its hands looked normal but had two pink bracelets on each wrist. It also similar colored eyes as its kin only pink as well as the white markings. Finally, the yellow bird head was last. It split apart to reveal another black creature with an astounding orange and bristled plume. The shell was shown to be a part of its arms and that the beak was, in reality, its claws. Around its shoulders, it had a yellow structure encircling them. The lower half of its body was orange with four-pointed projections: one short spine on the front and two short spines in the back, with one longer spine between them. Like the others, it too had the same type of eyes only with a yellow color, and white markings on its body. The Straw Hat Pirates were caught entirely off guard by these displays. Most of them were slightly unnerved by the creatures, but some had other thoughts. “So cool!” exclaimed Luffy. Others had questions. “What are these things?” asked Sanji. Fluttershy nervously spoke, “I’ve never seen animals like these before.” Then, the yellow creature began to chirp. It appeared to be addressing the group and sounding angry as well. As it communicated, it used one of its arms to point to the group and then move to point out towards the sea. However, its language skills only made the group confused. “Fluttershy,” Chopper spoke cautiously, “Do you know what it said?” The pink mane Pegasus shook her head. “I couldn’t understand a word,” she told him worriedly. “Are they not animals then?” questioned Twilight. To answer, Fluttershy quickly asked for Funkfreed’s opinion. The elephant only shook its head, which Fluttershy understood as him not knowing anything about these beings. Again, and more fervently, the bird masquerading creature chirped and pointed at the group. It then gestured back towards the sea. This time, its other members began to make a sound as well. The bull sounding bullish, the pink one a high-pitch chirp, and the totem fish making an angelic but stern crooning. Robin quickly discerned their meaning. “I believe they want us to head back out to sea.” “What!” Luffy said annoyedly. “But we’ve barely started our adventure.” “Luffy, I don’t think these guys want us ‘adventuring’ around here,” Nami whispered forcefully. “Oh yeah,” said Luffy loudly. “Well, who made them the boss of adventures.” Rainbow Dash flew lower to join her crew. “Yeah! What gives them the right to tell us to leave?” “Guys!” Usopp whispered urgently. Zoro, Sanji, and even Franky agreed with both their captain and Rainbow Dash. All of them looked ready to fight at a moment’s notice. Likewise, the creatures appeared prepared for a fight. In seeing this, everyone else prepared as well. Rarity prepared to pull out her rapier via magic telekinesis and Applejack grabbed her rope. Nami and Usopp pulled out their weapons next with Usopp aiming at the bull creature. Chopper even transformed into Heavy Point and guarded Fluttershy and Funkfreed. When they saw Chopper transformed, all four creatures took an interest. All of them immediately acted. Each one began charging unknown attacks; the yellow one had electricity, the pink one looked to be using magic, the bull yellow energy like the sun, and the purple one puffing her cheeks. Then together, they all launched out their attacks: the yellow shooting out electricity, both pink and the bull shooting energy, and the purple firing a large stream of water. “Move!” shouted Twilight quickly. On command, everyone separated right as the attacks hit the road. An explosion erupted, and smoke and dust surrounded everyone. Barely anyone could see what was going on around them. Then there came shout. “Help!” It was from Chopper, but no one could see the currently large reindeer. With the smoke as their cover, the four creatures now had Chopper. The pink being had him captured in her pink-purple magic. It was lifting him as if he weighed absolutely nothing and took him above the smoke. Chopper struggled to break free and even tried to transform into his other forms. None worked and ended up returning to Brain Point feeling exhausted. The creatures then approached Chopper curiously. They spoke in their unique and different ways, but they all appeared to understand each other. Chopper could not make out what they were saying, only that they seemed to be interested in him for some reason. Then, they attempted to talk directly to him, but not surprisingly, the reindeer could not understand. “What do you want with me?!” Chopper cried out in distress. Then, something yellow rushed out of the smoke and snatched Chopper out of the energy field. The creatures were confused for a moment but then looked over to their side. They saw their catch now in the hooves of Fluttershy, who did not look happy at all. “Who do you think you are picking on my friend like that,” spoke the Pegasus sternly. As all four creatures moved quickly towards them, Chopper let out a yelp. “Look out!” Interestingly, Fluttershy only closed her eyes; her frown still evident. Right as the creatures prepared to strike the pony, the Pegasus opened her eyes to reveal a super intense stare: the Stare. Upon meeting her gaze, the four beings stopped in their place and froze. All four were now in a trance. Below, the smoke and dust were still scattered, but that was changing quickly. From within the cloud, a small whirlwind began to form. It started growing until it was nearly a tornado. Black smoke began to mix with a rainbow “wind” as it began to ascend into the sky. The rainbow streak soon lifts the rising wind storm and stops to reveal that it was Rainbow Dash. “I think I’ll call that my ‘Rising Rainbow Tornado’!” the Pegasus stated proudly. Chopper then called out, “Rainbow!” Rainbow Dash looked over to see Chopper and Fluttershy and noticed that the latter of whom was currently Staring down their attackers. “Imma comin’!” Rainbow Dash shouted before blitzing towards the creatures. Fluttershy caught sight of her incoming friend and backed away, breaking her power of the creatures. As these flying beings came to, none of them expected to bash together by a Pegasus. All four had been struck hard making their floating dip momentarily before they regained control. They all then turned and glared at the flying pony. “How did you like my ‘Dash Charge’ attack!” boasted Rainbow Dash confidently. The creatures regained their composure and began moving to attack. The female-looking beings separated from the others; meanwhile, both the yellow one and the bull charged back at Rainbow Dash. The pony saw them coming and prepared to defend and fight. “Pistol!” “36 Caliber Phoenix!” Quickly, the yellow creature saw a red hoof coming straight at it and dodged. The bull was less fortunate as an air slash struck it. It sent the beast flying back. The other being immediately looked to the ground to see its other attackers; Luffy and Zoro. “Alright!” shouted Rainbow Dash victoriously. Then, she saw the bull being, barely hurt, come charging at her and looking pretty angry. “Uh oh!” she said before taking off. Soon, everyone was engaging each of the creatures. Zoro followed after Rainbow Dash, and the two of them fought the bull and its strange plant-themed powers. They were joined by Applejack and Chopper – after thanking Fluttershy for the rescue – who provided much muscle against this physical attacker. Fluttershy and Funkfreed soon joined them adding more power. However, the bull creature did not waver to the challenge; in fact, when it attacked it seem only to recover more so. Also, with each connecting physical attack, that member of their group hit seem to lose more energy as well. Things became hotter when Spike entered the fray and began spewing fire. The creature seemed immediately apprehensive over the flames which gave the group the edge over the beast. The yellow being was very speedy and often hard to pinpoint. It also had attacks based on electricity. Luffy was the prime opponent as he could keep up with its speed and be unaffected by its voltage. He took this battle alone. Both of them were jumping and floating from building to building attacking the other. The being quickly learned that its electrical attacks were of no use against its opponent. It still could fight back claw to hoof. The pink being was actually a very playful creature. It took on several of the Straw Hat Pirates at once without much problem. Everything the group through at it seemed to get blocked by its magiclike power. Usopp’s and Franky’s shots and bullets were duds and Rarity could not pierce through with her rapier. Thus, Robin attempted to fight too as she began sprouting her hooves upon the tiny body. The creature knew not what was happening, but it was scared. Before Robin could attack, the beast performed some magic – as Robin observed – that produced a ring around her and her fellow fighters. The circle started sprinkling dust upon them, and Robin’s summoned appendages disappeared. She and everyone fighting the creature was baffled. Unfortunately, they did not have much time to think as the pink being began firing a pink energy beam at them. Finally, Twilight and Nami aided Sanji and Pinkie Pie against the water-spewing purple creature. The situation was exactly reverse to the previous one in positions; while the purple fish totem creature harassed the group with a power torrent of water, Twilight's magic shield protected them. Once the beast finished, Sanji attempted to strike back. Unfortunately, its feminine looks made the mare-lover unable to attack it. Pinkie Pie had no problem as she tried surprising the being left and right. When Nami began summoning lightning and Twilight attacking with the same, the creature looked distressed and stayed on the defensive. Everyone seemed evenly matched. However, there suddenly came a cry, “Ampfy!” And soon after, a bright flash illuminated the whole square. Both the ponies and the creatures were blinded by the light, stopping their fight. They flash soon died down, and everyone’s sight adjusted back to normal. Once so, everyone found that two more had entered the town center. One was a bipedal, yellow giraffe-like creature with a sheep-like head with a red jewel on its forehead. Its black-striped tail also had a red gemstone but larger. It was even wearing a small pair of bifocals on its nose. Next to it was a creature even weirder than the previous despite being smaller. It looked like a bipedal and tan reptile but had a skirt made from its fur. Most discerningly, and most creepily, it had a large and oversized black extension sprouting off its head. It appeared like a mouth with razor teeth protruding out viciously. “Who are they?!” asked Spike panicky. “What are they?” asked Nami cautiously. Suddenly, the four totem creatures gathered over to the new monsters. The four seemed to be in conversation with the giraffe-sheep creature while the smaller animal spoke sparingly. Of course, none of the Straw Hat Pirates understood as each was speaking their language. Eventually, through what the pirates believed it to be “persuasion,” the four beings allowed the two creatures to go forward towards them. The Straw Hat Pirates quickly went on guard as the new animals approached them. They stopped a fair distance away. The tall yellow creature took a moment to prepare itself before it began looking at the group cheerfully. And it spoke. “Hel…lo, po…nies!” TO BE CONTINUED…