How. Big, Is. This. FOREST!?!
I am convinced we've passed that same Skeletor tree twice now, and I could hear it laughing maniacally.
"I'm to assume maps in this world measure distance in greater numbers?" I drawled, a map held in my paw for Yui to read as we walked. Her brow was furrowed seriously at the detailed map Trinity gave her, to our surprise, if we had a destination in mind all we needed to do was say where and a gold trail would snake along the parchment. So far we have been going for two days since Nargacuga's fall
Without lifting an eye to me she spoke, "Yeah, in terms of kilometers are worlds vary in measurement, so about one kilometer for your world is approximately... triple that...? I'm not the best at math but its sort of around that margin."
"What the hell Hasbro? Who designed your maps, a sadist?" It might not be like that in the show, but this world is if that show was its own reality entirely so anything could change
Why was I alone again? Turning my eyes back to the frozen Bat-Pony, I saw her lilac eye widen, mouth ajar. "...Z-Zen...?" My head tilted, dumbfounded
"What?" She shook her head, pointing to me, specifically my throat
A Hoff rubbed her eyes, "Speak," Now she was confusing me greatly, but I shrugged and replied in Poke-Speak
"It's over Anakan I have the high ground." I think her head is smoking, and not in a good way. She blinked, trotted to a tree, then proceeded to plant her forehead firmly against said tree with a solid 'thunk'. "Am I... missing something?"
"You... I... I can... hear you..." Her body turned back to me, just as my own realization sunk in. Her muzzle soon stretched into an anxious smile. "I can actually hear you!"
What? The Hell? Happened?
~---~
After our immediate freakout, as I quickly deduced it must have happened when I reached out for her aura with mine to reassure her, that ultimately made a soul-bond, that's my term for it, where our souls are linked, so I no longer had to focus my thoughts with my aura for her to hear me. "I see no cons to this, now I finally speak again! Woohoo~!!" I pumped a fist to the sky
Yui giggled, legs tapping against a log. "This is amazing, guess we never have to worry about communication for now on." I agreed, smiling triumphantly at this revelation
"Wish I could have done this from the beginning, would have made it easier to concentrate," I shrugged, adjusting my new tool with some Almond Willow. It was a large shard of Narga's bladed-wing, I sharpened and fashioned it into a dagger both for carving and everyday use. With my knuckle-dusters totaled this was a good substitute. "Maybe once we arrive in Ponyville I can learn to harness my aura even further?"
"Y-Yeah... that would be great," Huh? Her aura changed
As we continued on our untamed path, Yui looked to be lost in thoughts that were bitter and dishearted, I didn't want to pry, but with my aura sensing, it was hard to ignore. Besides, I sure she'll understand if I asked. "Hey, Yui, something on your mind?"
She blinked, facing forward to hide her face. "Of course! Just trying to piece together what's next on my list," I heard her scoff at that, as though to berate herself
I shrugged, "Well, I've got rift monsters to take care of so that's next on my list, probably train to learn some new moves, ooo! I could learn Hyper Beam! Hahaha, all shall bow before my unrivaled power!" My devilish laugh raised her spirits a little. With a paw, I grabbed her head and tilted from side-to-side. "And of course, I have an awesome treasure hunter and friend until then!"
Her posture shifted, "What?" She blinked
Mmm, this was a little awkward to ask... and my was I getting flustered about it? "I... um, well, if, um you want... we could, erm, s-stay a team for a little longer, you know, cause... we make a great duo, and, you're like a total badass," Zen, may we talk later upon your wonderous response, perhaps we dig a hole and never return?
Yui pouted, moving at a steadier pace, "S-Stop flattering me...It won't get you anywhere, you know..."
I paused, scratching my cheek before smiling with a shrug as I kept pace just behind her
"For the record, I was only telling the truth." I added, earning a smile from over her shoulder
"Hmm... well, if you insist. It's just been a while since someone's complemented in the way you do," Yui elaborated, that was until her eyes caught sight of the remains of a pathway, looks like we found something
Without much warning Yui sped off, her wing flapping for me impatiently. "Come on, hurry your butt over here!"
I didn't really think about it before, but there's something kind of cute about Yui... but in a different way... I kept that thought to myself
*ROooooAAR!*
Immediately the suspense of discovery had to be postponed, one look to Yui and I took off in a blur of blue and black. Whatever that was, I had a funny feeling I recognized the roar's owner, and I prayed it was my former thought over the latter. No more poison... no more poison... for the love of all that is Monster Hunter no more poison...
I ran through an old entry into a ruined castle, cutting past old bookshelves and furniture, ducking under a pillar as I found my way through the hallways and out into the grand throne room, though the magenta glass ceiling was shattered, alongside the large, stained windows. Several other doorways covered the walls, with the main entrance ahead of me.
Inside, huddled behind one of the thrones were three small ponies. And from their distinctive size, number, and orange, white, and yellow coats I could immediately tell it was the CMC. They were trembling out of fright as somepony protected them. That pony... wasn't a pony, and I froze in the shadows.
It was another Pokemon! A quadruped, frog-like Pokémon. It had light blue skin, white hands, and a dark blue stripe from the center of its oval head to its nose. Its eyes, which have yellow sclerae, black irises, and white pupils, protrude vertically from its head due to their size. A large mane of bubbles formed along its chest and back, the starter from Kalos, Froakie.
Well I'll be... guess I'm not the only person sent here... Static buzzed in my head, then a lightbulb. Oh My God I'm not the only human here!!
"Merry, behind you!" The orange pony, Scootaloo cried out. From above a shadow descended sharply, and the Froakie had almost no time to react
The monster was another Fanged Wyvern, the face resembled that of a Colubrid in appearance with grayish blue scales covering its slim squirrel-like shape. On its back are patches of white fur as well as a bushy tail covered in rows of spikes. Its front limbs also have a few spikes. The Flying Thunder Wyvern, Tobi-Kadachi honed in on its prey.
|Dammit!| The... female, Froakie's eyes widened in fright
All eyes were now on Tobi, arm-wings raised with sparks of static coursing through its fur. To all the watchful eyes, my body soared from the wall, paws coming together with a thin, white light between my fists. Time for a new move! I broke apart my fists, the light expanded with a resounding crash against Tobi's jaw, breaking its fangs as the Wyvern spiraled down onto the floor, writhing in pain while I took the vanguard
With a confident snort, I spun the aura staff around in my paws, holding it against my back for another attack, a little burst of wind from my body for dramatic effect. New Move! Bone Rush!
|No way! Another Pokemon!?| The Froakie gaped at me, I casually waved to her
|Sorry to drop in, hope you don't mind some help?| She didn't respond, instead, she blinked and slowly nodded, hopping backward as Tobi roared, the white fur standing on end with a surge of static electricity |You protect them, I'll handle the Tobi-Kadachi!| Yes, I said that in a strong Italian accent
|Ugh... of course you also say it like that...| Don't diss the Tobi-Kadachi! Ignoring her reply said monster hurdled toward us with a spin through the air
Taking a step back I avoided an electrical tail, attacking myself with an upward strike, smacking Tobi in the ribs, I rolled under a claw swipe, breaking a few claws with a single stroke of the powerful bo-staff. Tobi growled, the snake-head coiled around and bit down on the polearm, pushing me back with its overwhelming weight, with my right-hand free I fired an aura sphere, knocking Tobi aside for a downward strike to the tail that attempted to hit me.
I swung left, rolling from the sideways jaw clamp, followed by a sharp twirl of Tobi's, another roll and I avoided being struck with the electrified tail. My staff claws spun the staff rapidly, tossing it across Tobi's back as I dived over another chomp, grabbing the staff to swing backward, stunning Tobi in place for a Force Palm to ripple a shockwave through the Fanged Wyvern, paralyzing it.
"Seriously? You 'DEAL' paralysis..." I sighed, smirking with the bo-staff spinning above my head like a pair of helicopter blades. "Never change, Tobi." Bringing it down the velocity was enough to imbed the staff in the mandibles, sending Tobi flying across the throne room
|Head's up!| From my side, a small gathering of bubbles flew past me, splashing the Wyvern with bubbles that evaporated the moment it released a surge of energy. Tobi pounced onto a nearby wall, rubbing his coat against the stone to recharge
I took a single step and immediately swayed, losing Bone Rush as I held my head. W-What the... why am I dizzy... and numb? I haven't been paralyzed at all? Checking my body over I saw no issue, so with a quick Life Dew, I felt rejuvenated but still wobbly. Is it fatigue? Gotta end this fast
"Zen, duck!" Doing as instructed, Tobi flew right over me, but something sent it off course, the way I came in I saw the grinning Yui, her wing balancing another flask of the finite amount of phosphorus we gathered. "Next time don't start without me!"
My thumb raised as I grew Metal Claw again, Wolverine, eat your heart out. The Fanged Wyvern swept left and right with its jaws wide, my claws sliced across his shoulder blade and stomach, right through the bushy tail with a powerful lunge of silver. I swung my claws down, spinning my body back around to charged blindly toward his flank. That same tail sweeper, crashing against an invisible force on my arms.
Tobi curved elegantly, fangs grazing my tail, followed in-toe by the claws slicing across my chest spike, yet the strain was little more than a sting. It followed by leaping over me, slamming down and spinning that tail around, the electricity coursing over my thigh and inflicting me with the first stage of Paralysis, the next would stun me completely if I wasn't careful.
My ears flicked and I dove back from an overhead slam of the tail, waves of crackling thunder tickled my face. From behind, Merry launched another Bubble Beam, while Yui readied another small flask of phosphorus, more than likely the last. Flipping to my feet the eyes of Tobi dilated, with an impressive, curved backflip the stream of bubbles missed. It took off over me, snarling at the rest.
This time, Yui covered her eyes and tossed the flask, the impact blinded Tobi immediately, claws millimeters from the group as it whined. In sync, both girls slammed a foot and hoof against its snout, breaking another fang while it lost its overcharge.
Perfectly timed, I came soaring overhead, feet pressed to the thrones with scarlet paws. Breaking off the furniture, Tobi swiped just below my feet, both digging into the floor as my left hook connected with Tobi-s head, feeling bone shatter while the strain on my arm wasn't nearly as bad now. The shockwave pulled Tobi away, his body colliding with the wall as it crashed through the inner wall, bricks, and debris burying the Wyvern for good. The clap of wind was all that remained as silence took over, say for a few bricks that came loose.
Seconds passed, a hum from beneath my scarf, and Tobi-Kadachi manifestation refused to move. I sighed, sitting down "Man, that was a total rush." Guess I have Merry to thank for weakening it prior to our arrival, otherwise, I'd be exhausted. The three fillies came out of hiding to stand with Merry, immediately flooding her with worries and hopeful smiles. "Seems they're fine."
Yui smiled. "That's good, how are you?" I raised a thumb and winked, "Good, guess we do make a great team." That smile was all I needed to see. Crossing my legs, I watched the four converse
"Are you okay!?" "Anything broken!?" "What was that thing!?"
|Alright-Alright, I get it, everything's fine now!| Merry pushed them back gently, sighing when she looked at me with a confused frown. |So, you're human too, huh?|
|Yep| I popped the 'P'
She gave me a once-over then scoffed. |Why did you get the cool Pokemon right off the bat? What kind of system is this!?| She growled, but I laughed, shaking my head
|If only you knew, fellow nerd| She rolled her eyes, then I motioned to her |I'm to assume your name is Merry?| A nod and I patted my chest. |Name's Zen and this awesome Bat-Pony is my fellow treasure hunter, Yui|
She waved, "No need for the introduction," Her head bowed. "Nice to meet you, and before you ask, yes, I can understand Zen perfectly, sorry I can't do the same for you."
Merry waved her hand, |Eh, it's fine, nice to meet ya!|I relayed it to the rest. That's when the CMC flocked me, Merry snorted, |Have fun~|
Sweetie was first, inspecting my spikes. "You look so cool! Are you like Merry? And what's with all that strange energy you used?"
Scootaloo was childishly copying my moves. "You fired explosions from your paws and used light as a staff! So Awesome!" She squealed
Applebloom put a hoof to her chin, clearly studying me. "You'r' not a' Diamond Dog, are ya'?" I shook my head, her eyes beaming. "You can understand us!?" Another nod
All three smiled widely, and I immediately covered my ears, Merry did the same and I felt sorry for Yui. "HE'S A LIGHT-BENDING NINJA DOG!!!"
"Ah, ears-ears-ears, you jerk, why didn't you warn me of the ears!" Yui pitifully punched my cheek as I tried to contain my laughter
Merry just pouted, eyes flat, |Oh sure, call him something awesome, but 'Me'? I get called 'Bubble Frog' are you kidding me?| Now I was rolling on the floor, crying
With the events of Tobi behind us, all five of us got more squinted, while I shared my thoughts with them all which, admittedly, was a little difficult, but I found it strange how calm they were with the corpse of a monster literally a few steps behind them, the same monster that I carved for a few scales and fur for later use. Merry then told me some great news, there were others like us here, in Ponyville!
She neglected to inform me of their names, only saying that the others were three Eevees, one hadn't evolved, another was a Glaceon, the other an Umbreon. There was a Shiny Kirlia too. All of them knew each other, while Merry happened to be traveling in Koyoto at the time of her arrival in Equestria, her experience with this colorful land was vague at best but the others helped her out.
|--So in the end, we've dealt with a few monsters ourselves, though the worst was an Azure Rathalos, what a pain he was, and don't get me started on Great Girros!| Merry recounted the number of small-time monsters they had faced, my ruby never triggered after their defeats so they must have been a result of the rifts, pulling them into this world too
I was very pleased to hear the Azure Rathalos suffered a painful death. I hate him, and anything with the name of 'Rathalos', they can all burn in the fiery pits of the twelve layers of Hell
|Meanwhile, I've been tasked with closing the rifts by defeating manifestations they take on, in particular, monsters from Monster Hunter| I recounted mine and Yui's adventure, but left out the whole 'Goddess of Virtue' thing. |We've faced a Barroth, a Nargacuga, and now a Tobi-Kadachi|
"Hey, what's this stuff?" Our conversation went on hold, all heads swung to Scootaloo, her muzzle wrinkled up in disgust at the strange, bubbly substances against a wall
My blood went cold, and my mouth was ajar at the six-foot-wide laceration she pointed too. I've never seen anything like this... no, I have, but where...?
Her hoof motioned to a large, smoldering gash, a strange, yellow liquid embedded in the wounds, and upon closer inspection, I immediately slapped her hoof away. "Ow! What was that for!?"
Ignoring her my heartrate ticked faster, "Don't touch it," I warned them, my nose filled with sulfur. "It's sulphuric acid..." My paw rubbed some off, and I immediately felt it irritate my skin, flicking the droplets off I tisked. Of course, the girls gasped and glared at me for doing that, "Thankfully a diluted substance."
"Well, gee, thanks for the free heart attack..." Yui deadpanned
"Then why'd you rub your paw into it?" Applebloom asked, clearly confused. My eyes looked to Merry, then Yui as both gave me a confident nod
I sighed slowly, "Whatever left this track is what riled up that To -- the Flying Thunder Wyvern... and from the state of these large footprints..." My ears flattened. From the direction of the tracks, and the state of which this Tobi Kadachi was left in this was another powerful Wyvern. "It's heading straight for Ponyville, and has already gained ground."
"No way! B-but no pony knows we're out here! They'll be taken by surprise!" Sweetie gasped, while I furrowed my brow, the looks of fear plastered on the kids' faces made my anger simmer
"We may have won this bout, but this is far from over," Standing tall, I procured my Narga-dagger from the ground. "I promise, I'll do everything I can to stop this monster."
|Hey! Who died and made you leader?| The Froakie snapped, hopping up and onto my shoulder with a sly smile.|You'll need all the help you can get, 'Fellow Nerd'!|
I nodded, |I never would have made it this far without it, ain't that right, Yui?| My smirk was met with her own nod under a hood, her hoof ruffling Sweetie's mane soothingly
Yui looked to me seriously, "Go! I'll take care of these three--"
"Which means stick by her, understand?" Merry warned the trio, all three nodding without question as I projected her thoughts -- I was starting to get the hang of this
"--You two focus on the monster, once they're safe I'll come back you up." While I appreciated her spirit, something ached in my soul, the faint trace of bliss I sensed from the corrosive substance made my skin crawl
|Alright, Merry, next stop--!| My body immediately created an updraft of silver wind, bending at the knees while Merry stuck to me with her bubbles. |--Ponyville!|
To Be Continued...