//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: Fiend Shifter // by Xinrick //------------------------------// Over the next week I now supervised little Pipsqueak and was an official Royal Guard. Twilight was fairly self manageable, and when Luna was at work my main job was basically following Pip all day. He was a little sport. Full of energy and life. It was nice, it reminded me a lot of baby bro when he was oh so little. He was also so tiny too. He’s ten but looks almost six. I couldn’t help but feel a little down though, even though Pipsqueak was super happy to be adopted by his favorite princess, and had a new ‘big sister’ to help look over him...I still missed my baby brother so much... "Is something wrong miss Anna?" Pipsqueak asked me, breaking me out of my thoughts. He was doing homework at the dinner table, simple math and all that. "Oh, sorry. Just...thinking about my little brother." I sighed out. "Mama says you think about him a lot." Pip said. "What's he like? Does he look like you?" "Well we have the same hair color." I said while brushing a bit of my brown hair out of my face. "But honestly, he's a lot like you when he was your age. Adventurous, energetic, happy and so much more." "Oh, so he's human too? What's his name?" "His name is Tommy, and yeah he's human." I said honestly. "Hmm… is he just a tad shorter than you, wears sweatpants, a red hoodie and orange flip flops?" I blinked. "I mean...replace the flip-flops with normal shoes and yeah kinda." I said slowly. "Huh, weird. I've seen him with flip flops." "Where did you see him?" I asked quickly, hoping to find my little brother and save him.. Pip looked a bit uncomfortable when I asked him. "Sometimes… in the corner of my vision, or a window, or in the mirror reflection even. It's been happening for a month and, at first it would scare me, but I kinda got used to it, was worried the others and adults would call me crazy." "Oh…" I sighed out. "Sorry for making you uncomfortable...I just haven't seen my brother in over a month and...I'm worried about him…" "I can understand that. Believe me, I just wish I knew what they wanted. Sometimes it's like they want something, and others he's just standing there." "Well...do you see him now?" I asked curiously. "No. It's typically random. But it's always at least once a day." "Alright." I nodded. "Thanks Pip...it means a lot to know my little brother is still here…" "I'm happy to help. I just wish I could help more." “You’re still young, still have time to grow.” I said simply. “I know you’ll be a big help, but right now just enjoy your time with Luna and all your friends.” "Heh… yeah." Later that day, Spike gave me a note from Princess Celestia. Dear Anna, In returning to the underground vault we stored the artifacts in, we've discovered the old Crystal catacombs within Canterlot mountain Teeming with Fiends. On top of that, we discovered a crack here as well. The guards using magic have sealed it all for now, as our weapons are not particularly effective against them. Enclosed in the accompanying documents folder are images of some of these said fiends. If you recognize any of them please send back detailed information that can aid us. As of now Canterlot citizens remain unaware of the threat, as the shield spells are holding well and strong. P.S: Your first payment will be arriving tomorrow morning. -Princess Celestia. “Cool, so what monsters are there?” I hummed while sifting through the pictures...and my heart sank a little. “Oh jesus, these things are there?” I muttered nervously, seeing Varuna, Master Tonberry, Black Elementals, Adamantoise, and even a fucking Behemoth King. “Well...I suppose mom’s area should be high level considering she was the third  part of the quest…” I muttered while getting a quill and paper and writing down all I knew about the five monsters, even using my strategy guide to give even more exact details about the monsters and how powerful they are. With all that in hand I placed them back in the documents folder and gave them to Spike to send to her. I checked to see if Pip was asleep. I gave a knock, no answer so I opened the door. Inside I saw… is that a Save Sphere? Pip was looking at the thing at the foot of his bed. “Do… you know what this is?” He asked me. “Why...is the world a Save Sphere here?” I asked nervously, walking over and gently putting my hand on the glowing orb. “Hopefully I can save…” The orb glowed. There was no save option… there was a teleport option. Here, back in the Everfree forest, and a new location. The throne room. “Well...that’s interesting.” I muttered. Looking it over, there was also a...challenge. Saving Tommy. “Oh?” I hummed while checking what the Challenge was rather quickly, even if I was trying to stay outwardly calm, seeing a chance to save my little brother was making me really giddy. Progress Lock! Requirements: Collect 15 forms. “Jeez...that’s a lot of forms…” I muttered nervously. “Where the heck am I going to find ten more fiends?” I frowned, not swearing in front of Pip or Luna would get kind of pissed at me. With a sigh I gave Pip a goodnight kiss, telling him the sphere was harmless as I headed off to bed. Every night as I fell asleep I wound up back in this odd Zanarkand with Jecht. He’s been teaching me moves and blitzball. “Too bad there’s no Blitzball in the world I’m in. Blitzball always looked fun.” I said honestly. “Training for it takes many years of physical practice just to get your body in the proper shape.” Jecht said, stretching some. “I was ten when I played my first game, and to be honest, I only did it because my dad made me.” “So it just runs in the family?” I asked curiously. “From father to son?” “Heh...yeah.” Jecht said, dropping to his butt on the ground. “My father was a bigger bastard to me than I was to Tidus. To be honest, I was hard on him to make him hate the game, to never even wanna touch the ball. Hate me, and hate the sport, that’s all I wanted for him.” “Why did you want him to hate you? Cause it had the opposite effect on him, where he wanted to beat you at your own game.” I said honestly, having explained to Jecht the first time we met how I knew him and a lot of other things. “...Because I didn’t know what it meant to be a father. Heh, my dad would make me jog around the park throwing that ball at me and if I didn’t dodge, I’d get knocked over and he'd kick me back up to keep running. Every day all day for years. I didn’t have an example on how to be a dad. So, I tried to keep my distance. He would have been better off without me, or that’s what I figured. When I ended up in Spira, I regretted a lot, knowing I was never gonna see him again and if it wasn’t for Auron and Braska, I’d have never gotten back on my feet.” “I mean, your first thought could have been ‘see what your dad did, and do the opposite’.” I said simply. “Instead of being a massive prick, how about actually being supportive. I know you didn’t really have much of a ‘role model’ when it comes to fathering, but you could have done it like...a Coach I suppose, but less strict.” “I know that now, but can’t reclaim that time lost… Uh, what’s that?” Jecht and I looked up. We both saw what looked like a comet or something flying across and down to us. “No idea, but it’s heading right towards us!” I panicked as I moved away from where the comet might hit. Jecht and I hid around the corner, the thing hitting right where we were. “Ouch!” That voice? Wait, what? “Damn, wait… Zanarkand?!” Is that Tidus?! “How in the nine hells is he here?” I asked worriedly, looking over at Jecht nervously. “If I knew you think I’d be hiding it?!” Jecht asked, whispering yelling. “Well...better figure out what the hell’s going on…” I muttered while taking a deep breath and getting out of our hiding spot. “Hello?” I asked Tidus carefully. "Huh?" He said, turning and seeing me. "Oh. Hi. This is Zanarkand right? Please say yes." “It is Zanarkand.” I nodded. “But how are you doing and...how did you get here?” "Hmm… well I feel fine. As for how I got here… I have no idea. One moment I'm competing in a Blitz Ball game back in Spira, then suddenly, the lights went out. Next thing I know I'm crash landing here." “Um...who was there with you if I may ask?” I asked curiously. “And what team were you playing with and against?” "Believe it or not, it was a team of all Fiends. I was pretty sure it was all a dream… Now I'm wondering if this is a dream too. Cause one thing I remember about Zanarkand… it's never this quiet." “Well...this is a dream world as far as I know.” I said honestly. “I mean, besides that.” I pointed to Jecht and Tidus’s symbol still floating in the center of the arena. “As well as your old man is here.” "Wait, what?" Tidus asked. At that moment Jecht walked out from around the corner, scratching the back of his head. "Well, uh, hey there-guah!" Tidus rushed in, delivering a firm punch to Jecht right in the jaw, and imbedding his head into the nearby wall. "Been wanting to do that for ten LONG years." Tidus said, stretching the arm he punched his dad with. “Well then…” I started. “That’s a nice family start.” After all that I woke up and Tidus finally stopped punching his dad into walls. Hopefully those two can at least talk somewhat before I go back to bed. I got breakfast ready with Spike then took Pipsqueak to school. This part of the day was the longest as I mostly just had to stay still unless there were fiends about, and lately it's all been the same bunch of weaker ones. “So far it’s mostly been Dingo’s and Condors...I need to find more of them to start getting closer to finding my brother…” I grumbled. I sighed as I gazed over the playground and surrounding area of the school. Normally I'd read up on spells and such, but I wasn't in the mood today for that. I just leaned against the tree here as I looked up through the leaves. This place is beautiful, and once I get my family back, it really will be home. “I’ll get you all back...I promise.” I muttered gently. “But after this...I’m gonna go monster hunting.” I muttered to myself, remembering there was a crack in the Everfree so there might be Fiends that I could beat and get there forms hopefully. As I was about to relax a little, I heard this buzzing fly overhead, and a large Shadow over the ground, looking out from under my tree, I saw it. A Killer Bee. That's new. “Good to know…” I muttered while shifting into a Condor and flying after the bastard. The thing spotted me, immediately it tried to sting me, but I got really used to this form and dodged easily, latching to it's head where I blinded the beast. It buzzed about wildly as it was now blind. I cast fire once I got close and watched it burn to ashes. My hud gave me an alert. [New form Unlocked: Killer Bee] ”Yay!| I thought to myself happily as I shifted back to my human form. “Five down, ten more to go.” With that acquired I was in a bit better mood. Pip finished up school and I took him home where Luna was waiting, happily picking her son up into a hug. I was dismissed until later so this gave me the opportunity to rush into the Everfree to find some new fiends.  “Alright, so Spike mentioned Zecora, so I should probably find her hut soon, then there’s the crack which might have more Fiends…” I muttered. I kept an eye out for both, but found Zecora first. She spoke in rhymes and all that, but she agreed to help make me some Mana potions if I help her get the harder ingredients. Everything else she had in overstock, save for two herbs. Moonlight lily's, a breed of highly magical flowers that grows only in the darkest of caves, and stoneroot. A root so tough and resilient, it grows into deposits of metal and even diamond to get harder. For that she gave me a special acid to harvest it with.  The Moonlight Lily's she last picked one from a cave a mile north of here, and the Stoneroot she suggested I ask Rarity for help, as she has a spell for locating gemstones and hopefully can stumble upon one of these roots. “Alright, so back to Ponyville…” I muttered, double checking to see if there was a save sphere nearby to just teleport to the library and then head to Rarity’s place. There was, actually, behind Zecora's hut. She swore it was not there this morning. I blame/thank Discord. I then went back to the Library and went back out to Rarity. Her shop was easy to spot. I entered. "One moment Darling." Rarity said from somewhere inside. “Alright.” I nodded while waiting at her door. “Hopefully she’ll help me with this…” When Rarity came out she was in a white shirt with a black skirt and heels. "Ah, Anna darling, come by for clothes?" “Well, that’s going to be something I do later, cause so far I only have this.” I said while motioning to my simple final fantasy ten t-shirt and blue jeans. “But right now I need your help finding Stoneroot, given that they grow in metals and gems.” She said honestly. “Zecora mentioned you’d be the one to talk to about it.” "Oh yes. A root that grows inside gems and ore? I have seen that, damaged the things dreadfully, if you require it I remember where they all were. Allow me to change and close up and we'll get going." “Alright, mind if I come in?” I asked politely. "Of course. I'll be back down in a few minutes." She said, rapidly climbing up some stairs. I was waiting, browsing all the fancy dresses that honestly just made my wallet hurt. Seriously dresses of this quality back on Earth would cost a fortune. She came back down in some kind of fancy overalls and we headed out.  Apparently Rarity had her own personal Gem mine she found out of sheer luck. The first Stoneroot she found for me was fairly small, but she then took me to the motherload. This root was easily my torso in length and width, and had many broken gems littered across it's body. Thankfully this acid is strong and it didn't take much. Oddly light weight for such tough things. She led me to five more, all my arm in length or so before we headed back out. "That was all the ones I've discovered so far dear, if I find more I shall let you know." Rarity said as we reached her shop. “Thank you, Zecora will be super happy about this.” I said happily. “Oh uh...sorry Rarity, but I’m pretty sure I’ll never be able to buy any of your dresses...even if money is different here from what I’ve seen, I don’t have a small fortune.” "Small fortune? Darling my most experienced dress is only sixty bits, and those are on the manikins, the ones on hangers are between ten and thirty." I blinked. “Are...you sure you're not just letting people steal these things at those prices?” I asked slowly. "Hardly darling. The price of the fabrics isn't that much and I know how to calculate our price. Even the ones with gemstones sewn in are only a hundred or more when custom ordered. These you see here while lovely are ones I make in my spare time, my real money makers are the Canterlot and Manehattan Nobles who all spend up to thousands of bits on custom sets of my attire, from the everyday pony to the royals I serve and dress all." “Well...back where I’m from, your ‘cheap’ one’s would be top of the line that goes for thousands if not more...god only knows how much your gem set’s are worth back home…” "Really? How strange? Even gemstone sets while fairly common are only worth that much if well designed and tailored. Granted I fit both qualities but still." "I mean, where I come from prices are...weird to say the least." I said sheepishly. "Huh. Well I'm any case, feel free to stop by, I give a friend's and family discount." “Thank you.” I nodded. “But don’t expect me to ask for...this.” I said while motioning to the frilly dress. “More like asking for this.” I said while motioning to the clothes I already had on. "Hmm. I'm sure I have something in my Casual collection. Have to fetch it from storage though." “Just take your time.” I said with a raised hand. “I doubt I have enough money for it as is even if I’m technically a royal because of my job.” With a wave I left Rarity's and headed to Zecora's to drop off the Stoneroot. She was impressed by all I had. Lastly was the Moonlight flower. Thankfully the cave was easy to find, what I wasn't expecting to see was the crack in the Everfree across the entrance. “Well crap…” I muttered nervously. “But this is also a good thing, two birds with one stone.” I ran back to the castle, telling Luna and Twilight about where I found the crack before having Spike send off a letter to Celestia. Within minutes Discord arrived and we went to the crack. "Did anything come out of it before you left?" He asked me as we ran through the trees. “None that I saw...which is worrying.” I said nervously. “But it shouldn’t be anything too worrying...cause if we’re going by game logic, Ponyville is still the ‘starting area’...” I said, though if a Sinspawn was summoned then bad things might happen. "I can control a lot of things, but what comes out of those cracks I can not." “Alright so it’s gonna be a whole lot of ‘who knows what’ll appear’.” I said worriedly. “We better hurry before something comes out of it.” We rushed to the crack. Four Killer Bees were flying around it. “Okay, so it’s just four killer bees. It’s not too bad.” I said while bringing out my staff and casting a Fire spell at one of the bee’s. Discord also blasted them with powerful fire magic. They were dealt with quickly and once they were gone he sealed the crack. That's when we heard something inside the cave roar… cause of course. “Oh god damn it…” I grumbled while running after the roar. A large appendage reached out, knocking me back. My eyes widened as it crawled itself out of the cave. The Geosgaeno. “The fuck is that thing doing here!? That’s a water based monster!?” I panicked while getting up quickly. "Water huh? So it hates lightning?" Discord asked. “Nope, this thing doesn’t have any elemental weaknesses.” I said quickly. “It’s strength is in its arms, it’s not fast, but also watch out as it might try to eat you whole.” I said while motioning to the eyeless sea monster, the tendrils on it’s back glowing brightly, it’s strong curved and armored arms ready for a fight. “Right now we’re just gonna keep hitting it hard until it falls.” "Hard huh? Well, might as well." So given that this bastard was actually strong against magic attacks, I decided to shift into my Dingo form, fast and agile enough to hopefully dodge it’s attacks as I dodged one of it’s punches and jumped up and bit into the things flesh, which is gross as hell. I jumped away before it could smack me with it’s other fist and I growled. I dodged another punch and leaped on top of it and bit it again, this time followed by a blast of magic from Discord, a non-elemental spell since it looked like Magic Missle of all things causing it to stagger back. “Well it’s a good thing it’s not immune to magic entirely.” Discord pointed out as he continued to pelt the damned thing with Magic Missile, it’s health draining at a consistent pace but was sadly slow because this bitch was tanky as hell. Discord was able to dodge any punches it threw by either teleporting, slipping past the thing with it’s snake-like body, or just turning into something that it physically couldn’t punch. So it was like this for a good majority of the time, just me and Discord dodging the Fiend’s punches while we chipped away at its sizable healthpool. "I have an idea for some heavy firepower, when I snap my fingers, run." “That’s not foreboding.” I said out loud without thinking, blinking real quick that I just talked normally in a Fiend form. Discord snapped his fingers, and we bolted. There was a hole appearing above the cave and suddenly, there was a heat radiating from it as I could see a red hot bolder falling through. It hit the boss monster, a loud roar and explosion followed as high force winds blew out in all directions. “The fuck Discord!?” I panicked, having reverted back to my human form in the process. "I can repair all this." He said, the wind dying down and finally stopping. The beast was still alive, but badly hurt. "Looks like a few hits will kill it then. Thank goodness." "Good." I said while shifting into my Raldo form and ramming into it.. With a proper final bash, I slammed into the boss monster hard, letting out a somewhat pitiful cry as it fell over, dissolving into light.  [New Form Unlocked: Geosgaeno] "Sweet." I said happily, seeing in my Hud I leveled up from that by quite a bit. “So that’s my first boss fight…” Discord snapped his fingers, the damage all being undone. "So, what were you doing here anyway? Looking for the crack?" “Well I was trying to collect Moonlight flowers for Zecora to make Ethers...but then the Crack was there.” I said honestly. "Oh, Moonlight flowers? You could have asked Luna, she grows them as a hobby. Loves gardening but not many plants grow in the dark." “Would have loved to know that…” I grumbled. “But nine more forms before I can start getting to my brother…” We headed inside and I grabbed all the flowers that were here anyway. Discord left and Zecora thanked me, making four bottles for me and said she’d send more in a week. The leftovers of the ingredients she was going to grow to keep me in high supply. “Well so far one successful crack was closed.” I muttered. “Thankfully nothing went wrong here…” I hit the bed after dinner and went off to sleep. Back in Zanarkand, Jecht and Tidus were at least talking, spending free time dueling and playing one V one Blitzball. At least it gave me something to watch. “Well this is interesting.” I said, “Wish I had popcorn…” I grumbled while watching the two star blitzers go at it. All in all there wasn’t anything that really happens here. Aside from Tidus and Jecht being here, and possibly others to arrive, who knows what this place is for exactly. "God I'm bored!" I groaned loudly. “Join the club!” Tidus yelled, throwing the Blitzball right at my head from my place in the seats. “Good throw but not nice.” Jecht said. I moved my head out of the way quickly. "First, rude." I said. " And second." I said before leaping into the blitzball field and turning into Geosgaeno. "I finally have an underwater form." “Oh hell yes!” Tidus said, bringing out his sword.  “So, you killed one of those? Well, at least you’ll have quite the advantage.” Jecht said, pulling out his own sword. “And apparently I can talk in my morphed forms.” I said honestly while preparing myself for a fight. This battle between us three lasted shorter than I wanted. This new boss form was so different, and Shifting into something this massive actually tired me out. I had to shift back, the weight of that form's body was something that, even in water it was heavy. I'd just have to practice and get used to it. “Well...that was slightly disappointing…” I panted heavily. "The stronger the Fiend, the harder it must be for you to maintain." Jecht said, patting my back. "Makes sense all things considered." "I'll just need to train more…" I said, trying to catch my breath. "Just takes time is all."  "And a lot of hard work." Tidus added. "Yeah, it's gonna take a while...also a weird thing, I fought that thing on dry land...it's an underwater creature, so what the hell?" "Hm? They can live on land but only ever end up there if a high tide or something along those lines." Jecht said. "Pain in the ass either way." Tidus said. “Oh yeah, those things hit like a truck.” I said honestly. "Take hits like one too." “Only reason why it didn’t take forever is because a friend of mine kind of...dropped a massive molten rock on the thing.” I said simply. "What kind of spell is that?!" “No idea, I think he just opened a portal and dropped a massive rock on it.” I said honestly. “Doubt it was Meteor…” "If I ever meet this spellcaster, I'll ask to learn that one." Jecht said. “Don’t tempt him, cause from what I’ve learned he’s basically the embodiment of chaos magic, and while he's nice...whatever the hell he is, he can damn near do anything.” "Sounds like quite the party animal." Tidus said with a laugh. “Kind of.” I said honestly. “Which is a little surprising that he isn’t here...I know he said that he can’t really ‘go outside his world’ but still, this would technically be a part of his world because this is a dream I’m having.” I said, before looking at Tidus. “By the way, you said you were in Spira playing Blitzball with Fiends...mind if I ask who you were with besides them? Like any friends or loved ones?” I asked, wondering if Tidus was with Yuna and company. "I was with Wakka and the team. We were in the semi finals when that random team of fiends came into play. Played good too." “Alright...did you ever fight Sin?” I asked curiously,  "We were about to. Just enjoying a little peace and stocking up on supplies before we were going to face off against it." “Alright.” I nodded. “Who...was Sin at the time?” I asked carefully. "This old fart." Tidus said, pointing to Jecht. "Wait what?!" Jecht said, standing back up in shock. “You...don’t remember being Braska’s Final Aeon? Yu Yevon taking control of you and turning into the giant space whale shaped armor that is Sin?” I asked in confusion. “Cause...well from where I’m from and have learned the story, that’s how Yevon has kept up that cycle for over a thousand years.” "Uh… no…" Jecht said worriedly. I blinked. “Uh...that’s...not good.” I said worriedly. “Okay so...what did Auron tell you about Jecht’s situation?” "Just that he was Sin. Said he would explain it all later, but never really did." Tidus said. “Oh boy…” I sighed out. “I have a lot of explaining to do.” I sighed out. “If either of you care to know what a girl from another world knows.” "Considering how much you do seem to know, yeah." Jecht said. "If it's useful." Tidus added. “Alright...so where to even start…” I sighed out before giving them a general run down of all the important things they needed to know, about Sin, Auron’s thing that happened after Jecht became Braska’s Final Aeon, Yu Yevon and a whole lot of other important things. "Well… damn." Tidus said. "That's...fucked up." Jecht said. “I mean, it really is...it’s also a little funny that Zanarkand, a machine city that never sleeps, was a city full of Summoners while Bevelle, the place that’s the ‘Capital of Yevon’, used Machine’s to destroy the summoners and bring about Sin.” I said honestly. “Well...that’s in the ‘after years’ of your story...where Yuna becomes a Sphere Hunter, and gets a Gun.” I said, even though the dialogue of FFX-2 was cringy as hell it was still a fun game. "Weird. Well, doubt any or most of that will happen now." Tidus said. “Well considering the both of you are here and neither Jecht is possessed or Tidus is back in Spira preparing to kick Yu Yevon’s ass...there are a lot more problems than we might think…” I said nervously. Waking up the next morning it was largely the same routine… save for one thing… Celestia sent me a letter saying she found an old sketch of the statues in question she remembered. One was the one I needed… but there was another. A statue of Jecht as well. “The hell?” I questioned. “Why the hell is there a statue of Jecht here?” "Hm?" Luna said, walking over and looking at the sketch Celestia sent me. "I remember this statue. So his name is Jecht? Is he a good person?" “Well…” I started. “Not...entirely. He’s a decent guy but...he’s got plenty of problems…” "Hm. This statue was always interesting. My sister and I knew the moment we saw it, it's no ordinary statue. It's an imprisonment." Luna said. "Equestria does not deliver capital punishment in the form of murdering the guilty. Rather we imprison them as stone. It can be reversed, but only Celestia, myself and Twilight can use that spell." “Or...a specific event happens.” I said slowly. "Possibly." Luna said. "In any case, I know for a fact he wasn't the only statue to arrive, just the only one in Canterlot. Actually…" “Actually?” I asked curiously. “What’s up?” "There was a fair amount of statues, or people, like Jecht there that arrived all those years ago like that. Many were sent back after the cracks were sealed, but a few, like Jecht, did not. One or two might be within the old castle my sister and I used to reside in within the Everfree. Perhaps you could investigate?" “Sure, that would help.” I nodded. “What did the statue’s look like?” "Hmm… Last I remember there were two. A rather large fellow, larger than Jecht here. Big hair and… I believe he was holding a ball. The other looked like a lion of sorts." “Okay so...apparently Wakka and a Ronso are here…” I frowned. “What did this Lion person look like? Any distinct features that seemed...off?” “Well, aside from being… quite the physical specimen he had this broken horn on his head, and a spear/halberd weapon." “That’s Khimari…” I said nervously. “Okay so what the hell are statues of the main characters doing here?” I wondered. “But would you believe me if I were to say that he’s a Runt compared to other’s of his race but the strongest of the bunch?” "If so I believe I know the race of my future husband~" Luna said with a longing tone. “I didn’t need to know that…” I closed my eyes slowly and took a deep breath. “So let’s get off the topic of a Ronso between your legs, where have these statues appeared?” "They first appeared by the Rainbow Falls, once we found them they were moved to the castle bunker." “Well...at least they’re safe.” I shrugged. “So uh...where in the Everfree is your old castle?” Luna quickly drew me a fairly detailed map. Starting from the library to Fluttershy's cottage, then the Everfree entrance. She drew landmarks of notice, like Zecora's hut and some other places I'll pass by til I reach the old castle seemingly in the middle of the Everfree. "Once there, the Bunker will be below the old dungeon. The fourth cell there is a loop where chains would go through but none are there. Push it in then pull it out and at the end of the hall the entrance will open." “Alright, thank you.” I nodded. “Well I best be off to the castle to figure out more mysteries.” "Please ask for help if you shall. I believe Twilight said her friend Rainbow Dash is free today, her speed and flight could prove useful." “Yeah...I’m probably going to need some help…” I said honestly. “Uh...where’s Rainbow Dash?” "Twilight should know, she's upstairs." “Alright, thank you.” I nodded while heading upstairs to get told where Rainbow is. Once I found Twilight and asked her where Dash would be about now. With that information I headed out. She was at Sugar Cube Corner, a bakery shop in town, same one where Pinkie Pie works at. I caught Dash mid breakfast and once she agreed we headed out. "So once we find these statues, then what?" Rainbow Dash asked. She had the goggles Discord made her and the others, so she was in my hud display as an Ally. “Well...I’m pretty sure we can get them out of those statues...not sure how, but I’m pretty sure that’s possible.” I said honestly. “Plus Luna...kind of wants to date one of them.” "Really?" Dash asked. “Yes.” I nodded.  We arrived at the front of the castle. The ruins seemed to hold a few Fiends. Dash was fast enough to deal lots of flight boosted kicks. Even killed one surprisingly. Then I looked up, Dash dodging an attack from a Bat Eye. “Alright, cool.” I muttered while transforming into a Condor and immediately flying towards the thing and trying to peck at it’s eye. "This is so cool!" Dash said. The two of us easily took the monster out. New Form Unlocked: Bat Eye “Sweet.” I said. “One more down…” "So what is it like as one of these monsters? Being like, living water or a giant bird or a big nasty looking bee?" Dash asked me. “Well...kind of weird.” I said honestly. “But natural. Not sure how to describe it really.” "Hm." We activated the secret entrance in the dungeon like Luna said to and got in. Down the stairs I spotted Wakka, standing ready, Blitz Ball in hand as it took aim, and Khimari looking ready to thrust his weapon into someone or something. "Woah. That one guy looks like you. Kinda." “Wakka is human...well from an Island.” I said honestly while looking over the two statues. “They both look like they were in a fight…” "With who, or what? Also, what now? We can't use a spell to free them. Should I go get Twi?" “There has to be something here…” I muttered while gently feeling against the stone, trying to see if there was anything I just couldn’t see. "Well, I'll fly back and grab Twilight real fast. Won't take more than a few minutes." Dash flew off and I kept looking them over. So much dust and some dead vines decorated them. I cleaned them off some best I could. After five minutes or so Twilight and Dash flew over here. "Oh my goodness." Twilight said, looking the two over. "Princess Celestia had told me there were some who arrived imprisoned in stone from the cracks, but to see two of them, they look so… alien… no offense Anna."  “I mean, technically you're using that word correctly.” I said honestly. “But do you have any idea how to help these two? I’ve been searching all over these statues to see if there was anything and couldn’t find anything.” "Hmm." Twilight said, looking the two over. "This is definitely a petrification imprisonment spell. Powerful too. I can undo it, but stand back, they'll likely do whatever action they were doing when they were petrified." “Then the three of us better stand back cause the two of them are going to swing.” I said nervously. We stood back a good distance, Twilight started the spell. A large flow of magic spiraling around the two. Their stone forms shifting to flesh. Once they were completely skin again they both acted. Attacking and such, but then stopping once they looked around at their surroundings. "Where… are we?" Wakka asked. “Hi.” I started while taking a step forward. “My name’s Anna...and you are currently in...Equestria?” I looked back at Twilight and Rainbow to see if I said their country right. They nodded, Wakka and Khimari seeing them. "Huh…" "Welcome to our kingdom. You two are, from what we understand, have been petrified for over two thousand years." Twilight said. "Say what?!?" “I didn’t expect that long, but that’s kind of what happens when you get sent to a different world as a stone statue.” I shrugged. To be continued...