//------------------------------//
// Peaks of Peril 
// Story: My Little Universe II 
// by EquestrianKirin 
//------------------------------//

"HIYAA! HWAAH! aaaand WAAHH!"

Ruby was going complete fight mode. With Bismuth's practice dummies all set up, Ruby showed the best punches and kicks on each and every single one of them, full of energy and honestly straight out of some kung fu movie (action shots galore). The dummies themselves weren't damaged but were knocked over easy, one being spin a clear 180 thanks to a well-aimed sideways kick to the head.

"Okay, student, Ruby-sama's shown you how it's done, and hope you've been watching because now it's your turn. Just walk right up to it and let em have it! No holding back, give it your all!" Ruby said confidently to her student.

"....... Do I have to?" groaned Ruby's student. It really took a lot of walking and carrying to drag Peridot out of her bathroom, but she was finally out of her own cave. Even if she looked so tired she was ready to just fall asleep on her seat.

"Sure you do. How else are you gonna kick butt if you won't hit?" Ruby asked.

"In case you haven't noticed ... I'm not a Ruby. I'm a Peridot: I'm a technician who's sole purpose is to operate and maintain the technological advances of Gem kind. ... In other words, I don't "kick butt"," Peridot explained. Ruby went right over to the depressed Peridot, and started pushing her along.

"Not with that attitude. Everyone's got what it takes in them to duke it out. You wanna be confident, you gotta SHOW em confident. Now get out there and show em!" Ruby encouraged.

Even just pushing Peridot, and the green Gem was already splat on the floor.

"Can I go to the bathroom now?" Peridot muttered, her face in the snow. Ruby picked her up and wiped the snow off of her.

"No. It's not hard at all, just give it a good whack," Ruby insisted, giving a punch in the air to show Peridot how to do it. Peridot really didn't feel so up for any of this, looking more like the depressed housewife than a fighter ready to go. She probably wouldn't be able to get away from Ruby though, so she simply looked over to the dummy standing in front of her. ...

*thud* ...

"Oh no it's too strong. I gave it my all. I'll just go and use the bathroom -"

"YOU'RE NOT EVEN TRYING!" Ruby shouted. Her quick anger actually made Peridot jump back and freak out, hair standing on end as she was afraid Ruby was gonna pummel her. Ruby quickly realized her mistake though when she saw Peridot down on the floor, freaking out and covering her head.

"No no no, I'm NOT going to hurt ya, I swear it. Come on, soldier, get up and try again. You got this. Believe in ol' Ruby," Ruby encouraged as she helped Peridot back up to her feet again. The green Gem, now not as sleepy and depressed, went right up to the dummy, her fists up a little meekly. Ruby didn't know if she was scared of the dummy or scared of her.

"Ok, ok, ok ... hmm ..... grrrr ..." Peridot tried looking over the thing some more, trying to find a good spot to strike the dummy. It took her a bit but she did eventually find the spot right at the center. However she had one more thing to work out ...

"*ahem* ... H-hwaaaa? No uhh ... Hieeeeyaww? HIIIya?"

"What're you doing?" Ruby asked, eyebrow raised in confusion.

"You made a set of strange noises when hitting it," Peridot pointed out.

"Forget the noise, that comes later, just focus on the hit," Ruby said, getting into a battle stance for Peridot to follow.

"... Okay ..." Peridot took her focus on the dummy again, copying Ruby's stance so she can get the best out of any of her hits. She looked to the practice dummy standing in front of her, fists clenched and at the ready. She brought her fist around for a wide punch.
But she had her eyes closed, and didn't see where her fist was swinging ... and ended up on the ground again. Or at least she would've ended up on the ground if not for someone to grab her by the collar.

"Well this is interesting. I didn't realize even Peridots were allowed to do hand-to-hand combat. Could use some more work," said a voice. Peridot looked passed her shoulder, and found she was with not Ruby, but the "ruler" of Little Homeworld herself - Hessonite!
It was enough to make Peridot stutter a bit, getting her balance as Hessonite helped the girl up to her own feet, whether she needed it or not.

"Hessonite," stated Ruby. Peridot instinctively did the diamond insignia in Hessonite's presence. 

"Y-Your clarity! Sorry to not be at my proper position, someone was keeping me distracted," Peridot quickly informed.

"What?! You were sulking all day in the bathroom!" retorted Ruby.

"Not in front of her, you clod," Peridot quickly whispered through gritted teeth. Hessonite needed only to see the practice dummy nearby to get the full picture. This just made Hessonite laugh.

"Now this is simply adorable: A Peridot learning how to fight from a Ruby. Who would've guessed? If you're looking for a way to defend yourself, all you had to do was ask," Hessonite simply informed, taking a better look over at the practice dummy. Peridot could not believe her ears.

"Wait. you'll teach me how to fight?" Peridot re-stated through sparkling, excited eyes. Hessonite smirked.

"Well ... I don't know about that. My schedule has been so overworked lately," Hessonite said. Ruby knew a mile away that the Gem was trying to milk this moment and wasn't really impressed. Too bad Peridot fell for it and threw herself at her feet.

"PLEASE teach me! Just a few kicks or punches, I promise I won't waste your time!" Peridot pleaded. Hessonite got her right where she wanted her.

"Oh if you insist. Watch carefully," Hessonite instructed. Peridot felt psyched that she was being instructed in person by the almighty Hessonite herself, but Ruby was feeling mixed about this. On one hand she was upset that Hessonite basically took over her training, and on the other hand she was worried that her memories might not come back clearly this way. Hessonite didn't teach her how to fight.

"What's wrong with my teaching?" murmured Ruby.

Hessonite, with her hands casually behind her back, she began to look over the practice dummy up and down.  bit of an older model compared to the ones on Homeworld far as she could gather, but at the least it was one she could better work with. Hessonite looked back to Peridot when she figured out what to do.

"The first thing any fighter should know is her enemy," Hessonite began. Just to start off and an uppercut swing on the practice dummy to send it flying into the air. The teacher continued talking as she leaped up towards the dummy.

"Figure out their weakness -" Hessonite gave the dummy a swift upper-kick, sending it into a spin "- make their strength your own -" while in the air, she did a flurry of punches on the dummy, cracking it all over "- and most important of all ... let them know who's in charge."
In one final double-kick, she and the practice dummy rocketed down to the ground below, slamming down hard into the snow. Peridot and Ruby were left covered in tossed-up snow, as Hessonite simply stood on top of the practice dummy (which by this point was crumbled up in a heap). Confident to practice her fighting again, Hessonite looked back to the two nearby with a smile on her face.

"Any questions?" Hessonite asked.

Peridot was too amazed to even say any questions, but Ruby melted the snow off of her before she started talking.

"Just one: why're you taking over my class?! I could've handled it just fine," Ruby said. Hessonite walked over to her, wiping a little bit of snow off of her shoulders.

"You possibly could, but I also know you have a lot of work ahead of you so I'm really doing you a favor by handling her for you. Besides, it's clear she needed more inspiration," Hessonite said pompously.

"I'm very inspiring!" Ruby shouted. Hessonite didn't really look like she bought that, and all that got her was a pat on the head by Hessonite, making her steam up.

"Sure you are, honey. Now more importantly, where're the rest of you? I haven't seem them since the Strawberry Battlefield incident, and I've been waiting for my results of your little "test"," Hessonite inquired, looking around the area a little bit more for any signs of the Harmony Gems. Ruby freaked out.

"Oh shoot! I forgot all about the test!" Ruby thought in panic. She tried to be more confident though, despite this blindside.

"Ha! Like I'm gonna tell you they're at the Ponyville Train Station!"

Well that was just dumb. Ruby immediately slapped both hands over her mouth, but it was just a wee bit too late to stop her talking. Hessonite smiled and once again gave the Ruby a gentle pat on the head, like someone would do to a pet dog or something.

"Thank you, Ruby. Now if you both excuse me -"

"Wait! What about my training?!" yelped Peridot. Hessonite didn't forget, but she did give Peridot a glare to keep her calmed down.

"Don't fret, my little Peridot, we'll hook up and continue once I'm finished with the Harmony Gems. In the meantime -" and she said this part while pushing Ruby back to Peridot, "- since you're so insistent, you're free to watch over eachother until I get back. You two play nice now."

And with that, before anyone else could say anything, Hessonite bolted off and disappeared from sight, leaving Peridot and Ruby in Little Homeworld by themselves again, a little more than dumbfounded.

"... What just happened?" asked Peridot.

"I ... really don't know," Ruby replied.

.......

"Are you sure you wanna go?"

The train station was a bit slower thanks to the colder winter weather, but even so members of the Harmony Gems were gathered there all the same to see bits of their group off. The Portal Keys were fine and all, but it's been too long since they went for a train ride. Connie was taking the lead on this trip, with Pearl, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Star Quartz there to help in whatever they can after some discussion. Twilight for one was waiting nearby the edge of the station, impatiently wanting to find the train.

This also included Connie's parents.

"Sure mom, I'll be fine," said Connie, "I've been in Neippon before, and we're pretty good with the Kirin already."

"The same as you were friends with those seaponies?" Priyanka asked worriedly. She hadn't forgotten, nor will she ever forget the time she ended up with gills on her neck.

"Ehh no, we knew them longer than that," Connie replied. "It's not gonna be another fight, I promise. Besides, I got everything we need right here - Pearl stop it, I can carry those!"
She only got her eyes off her stuff for a minute before catching Pearl trying to store the stuff she brought into her gemstone. She was just about to store Connie's sword away before Connie swiped it out of her grip.

"Don't worry, Mr. and Ms. Maheswaran," said Fluttershy, "Connie is in good hooves with us, and we won't let anything happen to her. Just as soon as that train gets here -"

*CHOOOO**CHOOO*

Oh that signature sound of the train whistle. Good thing it was far away though, otherwise Twilight might've get another shot out of her head. Grant it, she horn did glow ever so slightly, but she quickly had to regather herself before anyone could catch her glowing problem. 

"Glowing horn problem later, voice problem now," Twilight thought to herself. One problem at a time. The Alicorn got calmed down just enough to be presentable and ready to get on the train. She did get some looks from her friends, but all she did was give them a quick smile.

"There a problem, Twilight? I know you want your voice back, but you're looking frazzled," asked Bismuth. Twilight quickly shook her head and trotted right over to the door of the train car. She was about to grab her saddle bags and ready to go, only to find the curious white Gem. Twilight wasn't taking any chances and just wanted to get on the train before anyone could ask anything. Too bad she wasn't getting the chance to because someone else bumped into her just as he stepped out of the train.

"... Nice to see you too, princess."

"LORD AKIRA!" exclaimed the ponies. Twilight thought she would lose her control right then and there, quickly backing up and down on the floor. Kinda bowing, kinda not, but not sure how the hay to take this. Akira walked out of the train station briefly to see the rest of the group there, and it was actually Lord Akira who took a bow to them.

"A pleasure to meet the entire group of Harmony Gems in person. Sorry for the short notice," Akira said.

"You don't have to be formal around us," said Steven, "we're all equal here. But nice to see you too."

"But what're you doing here? You wanted to meet up with Twilight on the ride to Neippon I'm assuming," Rarity inquired as Akira stood upright again. That was when the Kirin leader had to start confessing a few things, his hoof rubbing his leg.

"About that ... we're not going back to Neippon," Akira said.

"Excuse me?" asked Star.

"As convenient as that would be, Twilight's cure for her silent throat isn't located back in my homeland. No, for that we need that, we're going to have to go to a more local location. Here. In Equestria. ..."
Akira looked a little embarrassed for not mentioning it sooner, but with his own magic he got out the answer to their possible question in form of a picture he brought with him.

"So then where're we going?" asked Connie. Akira took a breath before showing the picture in full. It was strictly neipponese so none of them could read it out, but the picture itself already told them it wasn't just a village exactly. The picture showed a isolated area out in the scrublands, the most notable part out of the whole thing being a bunch of jagged cliffs clustered together, a few clouds along the rims of it with spots of green within the mountains. Twilight knew what it was right off the bat, but of course she couldn't tell them.

"Here. There is an isolated population of Equestrian Kirin there, cut off from much of the world including my own. The Ponies refer to the place as "The Peaks of Peril"," said Akira.

"Peaks of p-p-p-peril?" gulped Fluttershy.

"Calm down, it's just a name, it doesn't really mean anything," promised Jasper.

"You mean like how Cloudsdale is in the clouds, or Beach City is on the beach, or how the Crystal Empire's made of crystals?" Fluttershy pointed out.

"... Fair point."

Connie could already feel her parents wanting to just take her back home, but Connie was quick to speak before they could have the chance.

"Guys, hold it, it's just a name, ONLY a name! I've dealt with worse than this by a long shot," Connie said.

"Yes, it's only that," agreed Akira, "Now, speaking as a Kirin you understand, the Ponies call it that I believe is because of how ... what's the word I can use that won't be insulting, hmm ..."

"Perilous the place is? It's in the name," Rainbow Dash said.

"Huh. True."

"What do you Kirin call it?" asked Steven. Akira paused.

"Well, Kirin referred to the cliffs as "Kiken'na gake", which in Ponish means "Perilous Cliffs"."

"Well that's much better," remarked Priyanka sternly as Doug kept by his daughter.

"Before we send our daughter to this place, what else can you tell us about the ... Peaks of Peril?" Doug asked. Akira nodded, but just before he could speak anything -

"Yo, we're here!"

"Huh? Amethyst, is that - ... oh no," Steven thought.
There, standing just at the other end of the train station was two more Gems willing to come along for this ride. The first one, Amethyst, was a nicer sight to see but it was who she was with that made the visit more annoying, as she began heading over towards them. They tried their best to make sure Hessonite didn't catch wind of this mission, but looked like she found out anyway.

"What're you doing out here?" demanded Rarity.

"Is it not obvious? I've heard about your little mission to this "Peaks of Peril", and decided to save you all the trouble," Hessonite said.

"But how'd you even figure it out? We made SO SURE not to tell you," questioned Bismuth, who was equally mad at seeing her here. Hessonite took it in stride, though did give Bismuth a side look, yet Amethyst was a bit more forceful.

"Hey lay off, bulky, your Ruby gave us a hand in that," Amethyst said, arms crossed and standing "tall" against the Bismuth.

"Bulky? Amethyst she's not your boss," Bismuth made clear. Amethyst basically rolled her eyes.

"I know, but she's way cooler. She gave me my own TANK, just try to top that!" Amethyst boasted. Hessonite gave Amethyst a tap on the shoulder.

"Thank you, Amethyst. See if you can find me a place inside that vessel, hmm?"

"Got it chief," Amethyst said, going right in to do that herself. Sounded simple enough to do, though the others wished Amethyst would get all of her memory back. It was hard to tell this Amethyst from the last one sometimes, though seeing her serve Hess over some tank ... yeah that was bad.
Before any of them could continue saying for what, they all began hearing the whistle go off for the train again, giving some of em a bit of a jump, along with the signature "AAAALLLL abroad!" from the conductor.

"This should be interesting," Hessonite remarked. All her greatness she didn't know where the place was, so she simply had to get in the train for that one, walking passed the attentive Pearl. Guess she was going no matter what the case was - Hessonite could probably run alongside the train regardless.

"Oh, it's time to go, my Connie. Your adventure awaits you!" Pearl said excitedly, but content enough to be passable as she stood right by the train door for her master to leave.

"In a second Pearl, uhh, go find us a seat. DON'T THREATEN ANYONE," Connie made clear.

"Will do," Pearl responded, going right into the train herself, but not before summoning up a seating pillow for Connie's seat wherever that may be. Connie got herself free.

"Mom, Dad, don't either of you worry about me. I promise you, I will not be in any danger, and keep my best behavior with these Equestrian Kirin. There's no way I will put myself in danger willingly, okay?" Connie promised. Priyanka and Doug looked to one another, and looked over to those going with her. Thinking back to how much else she'd gone through and survived each one, well ...

"Sorry, Connie. We're just worried over you, that's all, but you're a big girl. ... Just promise us to watch yourself, Connie," said Priyanka.

"I will," Connie said.

"Have fun Connie," said Steven, giving his hug to Connie.

"You sure you don't want to come with me, Steven? It's somewhere new," Connie asked one more time, the two holding hands as they were talking.

"New's fun, but you know: slave to the list. ... But we still can meet up later, right?"

"Wouldn't miss it," Connie replied.

... and Connie snuck in a kiss on the cheek just as the train whistle blew off.

"Goodbye everyone, see you all tonight!" Connie called as she rushed onto the train. Talk about a bold move. Steven was surprised, but he got himself a big smile glowing off his face just before the train started moving on its path to who knows where. He couldn't help himself.

"Tell those Kirin that if they're scared of seeing the world, they shouldn't be because it's much safer and exciting to see now!" called Steven.

"I will! Bye!" Connie called once more, waving to them all from the window of the train. They all gave their waves to the team heading off, and it didn't take them that much longer until they were out of sight along with the train. Steven couldn't help but feel his cheek, but there still was her parents ... standing right there. Funny thing though, while some of em were worried they would start questioning it, the two actually looked alright with that.

"You two are pretty chill with this," said Applejack with a smirk.

"We know, and we also knew Steven and Connie had been together for a few months now. It's much better than ... well, you-know-what," Doug said, clearing his throat a little bit. Good on them for being open and not being strict on Steven and Connie's story.

"Good for that. Alright, Steven, ready to get to it? We still got a lot of catchin up to do," asked AJ. Steven looked over to the rest of the Gems and Ponies involved here, and with Twilight going off to get her voice back with Connie, Steven still had more than plenty to take charge of. 

"Yeah. Actually, there is one thing I've really been needing to catch up on," Steven revealed.

And that something had been gone since Hearth's Warming. All three of the girls. ...


~~~~~~


*CHOOO**CHOOOOOO*

The trip on the train ride went on for a bit longer than expected, but eventually the Equestrian train found its destination as Connie's group had hoped. The stop though was literally at the very end of the railroad, no sign of any more tracks as the train only stopped right at a set of buffers just at the end of the station. And by station, meaning just a bit of wooden flooring with a ticket booth ... and that's it.

"Is this what you call a "station"?" questioned Hessonite, disgusted by just how bad it looked.

"Well it's not the most uhh ... well-kept station ... apparently," said Rarity, not exactly enjoying the look of it all either.

"It just hasn't been used in a while ... though ... maybe they know something we don't?" Fluttershy said, getting a little nervous.

"Fluttershy, we've told you at least fourteen times, there's nothing to be scar -"

"AAAAHHHH!!"

The hay?! Most of em jumped in startle, but Hessonite and Connie immediately got out their swords and Amethyst got out her whip, at the ready for an attack.
However, the scream didn't come from some wild animal, or even a standard animal for that matter. Instead, that screech came from what looked like an old pony coming in from the shadows of the nearest tree. He did look very old, a tooth sticking out of the lower jaw in a grumpy scowl, with the outfit of any typical conductor would have for a station of any sort.

"What was that for, man?!" exclaimed Amethyst.

"Eehh, because not often I see anypony come down to ... the end of the line. The FINAL destination! The LAST STOP!" the old pony said, moving closer and closer to em with an ominous tone in his old raspy voice. Lord Akira had to push the pony away before he could freak out anyone else.

"Stop it, baka!" insisted Akira, "It's nothing to be afraid of, I promise."

"We know it, but does he know it?" Amethyst questioned. The old pony was suddenly right in Amethyst's face, almost making her drop her general's hat.

"Oohh you're all headin for them peaks I betcha?! Just follow em trail right to the cave. If you daaarrre!"

"Man, I knew he was gonna say that," Amethyst groaned. "Why don't you just quit acting weird and tell us where this Kirin place is!"

"Silence, Amethyst!" Hessonite demanded.

"... Sorry."

It was still enough to make the old pony laughing.

"Ain't nothing out there but uncharted terrain, monsters and wild beasts out that way! Heh. He HAHAHAHAHA!"
The old pony kept laughing like an absolute mad man as he backed up right into the ticket booth, his big freaky grin the last thing they saw of him before he slammed the door ... only to hear him laugh and see his face again as he closed the blinds to the booth.

"Is he okay?" Star asked, as confused as everyone else really.

"Yeah, we're just gonna ignore that. And umm ... let's go," suggested Amethyst.

They can probably deal with THAT guy later.

.......

Thus began the walk. The trail to the Peaks of Peril alone were a bit hard to work with, hardly maintained and cracked up in so many places they could hardly tell it was even a trail at all. Even then, despite it being winter, the warmer climate made it just that much more difficult with the terrain shifting from dry rocky cliffs to patches of bogs and swamps infested with bugs and biting flies. Each part of the trail didn't let up on any of the group, especially to the Ponies who were probably having the most trouble with all of it. The Gems made it look easy, either hopping over bogs or climbing along rocks like stepping stones, but Akira kept himself ahead of the group for he alone knew the way to the Equestrian Kirin.

"So Akira?" asked Connie as they were climbing up another rocky cliff, "These Equestrian Kirin. What can you tell us about them?"

"For one thing if you're looking for an immediate fight then you'll be disappointed. The Kirin in the village aren't hostile to newcomers," Akira said, only pausing to talk before he made a leap up a cliffside like a mountain goat. Only Amethyst seemed disappointed legitimately, but kept it to herself.

"Thank goodness," sighed Rarity, "And uh, you don't suppose they have a spa would you? It's a battle just climbing up here without a messy mane."

"I haven't really made contact with them for years. If they had done something like that, I'll ask the princess when we get there," Akira replied. The rocks were becoming a bit uneasy, and Connie actually almost fell off the cliffside, just to be grabbed by Pearl. Rather than let her walk she ended up carrying her like a baby.

"The princess?" asked Star. "You mean like Luna and Cadance and Twilight?"

"Not exactly. Princess Rain Shine's a nice Kirin and a good leader, she just mostly keeps to herself, that's all. In a way, like I do back in Neippon."

"You mean you don't know what's going on over here? But I thought you ruled over all the Kirin," Fluttershy wondered, flying alongside Akira as they kept climbing. Akira took a moment to scratch his mane.

"In Neippon, yes, but not here. They have their own rules outside of my people. Besides, I can't keep track of a Kirin settlement almost a country over," Akira explained.

"So she's like a member of your Diamond court. Put in a high position while you're still ruler of your kind," Hessonite concluded, overhearing everything. Akira didn't entirely follow the logic too well, but he didn't want to be rude to any of them as they neared the very top of the rocky cliffs.

"Well, something like that."

It took an extra minute before they all reached the very top, finally finding some more solid ground, only to find a bit more forest by a completely flat rocky wall. There didn't seem to be any exact arch, or door, or even more of the path as the path itself stopped over at the wall itself.

"That's strange ... wait here," Akira said, trotting on ahead and checking on the wall a little bit more.

"Where's the front door? I'm getting bored of climbing rocks," Amethyst asked.

"I'm trying to locate it, it should lead right into the village on the otherside. It should be right here ... somewhere," Akira answered, but as he kept looking around he didn't seem to be having that much luck in finding any passageway into the Kirin village. As he was working with that, Fluttershy started to pick up on some noise scurrying around close by through the bushes, making her shiver a little.

"T-There's something over there," Fluttershy whispered, getting Rarity's attention. The bushes started to shake some more, Fluttershy holding onto Rarity for a monster to jump out at them.

"Don't start panicking Fluttershy," Rarity said, though she sounded a bit scared herself, especially when the creature in the bushes started to come right out towards them! Rarity yelped and rushed back into Star Quartz and Amethyst ...
Just to see a bunch of mountain Squirrels.

"Aaww. I'm sorry, Mr. Squirrel, we thought you were one of the monsters," Fluttershy said, not feeling so scared anymore. The Squirrel spoke to Fluttershy in it's own squirrel language for a bit.

"Ohh, well sure. Excuse me for a second, I'll be right back," Fluttershy said, starting to trot away for a little bit as the others were still trying to find their way into this village. This did get a weird look from Amethyst but that was about it as many of them were focusing on the main problem.

"Did someone block it off?" Connie asked.

"I don't think so, it should be here ... maybe we made a wrong turn."

"Oh please, you're going at it all wrong. If it's just across, just make a path through," Hess said, pulling out her sword. Akira started growing alarmed.

"You can't cut through a mountainside with that," Akira shouted. All Hessonite did was push Akira and Connie aside with a gentle push. Hessonite just needed a few well-aimed cuts of her weapon and (in her mind) they should get a clean path right through the mountain. Seeing this problem was enough to worry Twilight again, she did not want to be labeled as an invader to the only Kirin that could possibly cure her ailment. She had to act.
Just before Hessonite could start chopping the mountain in half, Twilight just somehow managed to pull away the sword right out of Hessonite's hands (not without her magic turning it into a giant flower first that is).

"You organic little - give me back my sword!" Hessonite demanded. Twilight dropped the flower in worry.

"Hessonite stop!" shouted Rarity, "Violence is not gonna get you anywhere. If you want to get through that mountain, you'll HAVE to be a bit more practical than just blindly slashing your sword at it."

"I'm sorry, did I ask for a lecture by a pony? At least I have an idea how to get there, I don't see you coming up with anything," Hessonite questioned, looking down at the Unicorn. Now she was just being rude, Rarity almost growling at her.

"I just don't want the Kirin to think we're a bunch of savages," retorted Rarity.

"Now why would they think I'm a savage?"

"You want me to start? Alright, I'll start: First of all -"

"Knock it off you guys!" Connie butted in, "Let's all just calm down, put our heads together, and figure out where the entrance is."

"But we're not all here. Where's Fluttershy?" Star suddenly asked. In all the trouble and confusion, seemed they lost where Fluttershy had gone off to with her squirrel friend. Lucky for them though, this problem didn't last that long as they were hearing the sound of squirrels just a few bushes over.

"There you go, that should be enough flowers for a cozy bed," Fluttershy said as she finished giving the squirrels some lovely blue flowers. The squirrels were sure pleased, one of them chatting with Fluttershy a little bit more.

"I know, I know. We're just trying to find a way to the Kirin village, but the way in's blocked," Fluttershy explained,. One of the squirrels hopped up onto Fluttershy's back to better see the problem, though a few squeaks later gave Fluttershy a more puzzled look.

"But then ... where is it?" Fluttershy asked confused. And she wasn't the only one.

"I'm not an expert on ponies, but I think your friend might've lost it on the way up," Amethyst questioned.

"No she didn't, It's her special talent, Darling. She can talk to animals," Rarity explained, knowing that Amethyst probably doesn't know about Cutie Marks right now. Amethyst still was convinced that old pony at the station wasn't the only crazy one here.
Good timing too, because Hessonite summoned out another sword again and was just about ready to make her own path again.

"Wait, you don't have to do that. There's a secret passage nearby leading right to the Kirin village," Fluttershy quickly revealed before Hessonite could slice the mountain to pieces.

"Why didn't you bother sharing this with us sooner? ... and what's that on your back?" Hessonite questioned, pointing to the mountain squirrel still sitting on Fluttershy's back.

"Because I didn't know there was one, but the Mountain Squirrels told me it's right behind those bushes over there," Fluttershy said, pointing right over to a cluster of bushes on top of a large boulder off nearby.

"That ... thing told you?" Hessonite questioned, not really believing her. Fluttershy decided to just show her what was what, and as the Squirrel hopped off her back she flew right over to where the Squirrels were talking about. All it took was a few pulls of the bushes and a push of the rock, and sure enough there was a tunnel cut right into the rock. It looked fairly recent too, albeit a bit jagged-looking.

"Good work, Fluttershy! Thanks squirrel," said Connie, before heading over to the passage.

"... Well. ... My way could've worked too, I'll have you know. Come along Amethyst," Hessonite decided.

The squirrels went back to their own home from there, as everyone else took their route right into the tunnel. It was a slightly tight fit for Hessonite, being the tallest one in the group but the others just managed to get themselves through the passageway just fine. The passage itself wasn't really that long either, only taking a few short minutes before they found their way to the otherside of the tunnel.
It took even less time for them to find the Kirin Village either: they were literally right on the edge of it. The village itself looked VERY different from the Neippon town they were in before, tropical vegetation sprouted everywhere from fig trees to palm trees, to bushes thick with wild flowers or small fruit. The huts themselves were more nature-made, some of which high up in the trees connected by rope bridges, while others were along the base of the tree trunks with banana leaves as rooftops. Some were even hobbit-like houses underground beneath a large patch of grass and moss. A brook of a stream flowed along through the village with a fountain right at the center of it all, and a few stands selling exotic fruit were up for business elsewhere.

Strangely though, there were no signs of any Kirin anywhere.

"Great that we found it but where is everyone?" asked Star Quartz.

*rustle*

The slightest rustle got their attention. The village may be empty but they weren't alone, as shadows of animal-like figures rushed through the bushes and trees, keeping an eye on all of them along the forest floor.

"Show yourselves!" called Connie into the foliage. All of them kept looking back and forth around them into the thicket of this weird forest, but at first nothing seemed to want to come out to them. They all kept close together, all eyes in every direction just in case whatever this was turned out to be something more dangerous.

Then, after what felt like too long, something started to move out from the forest into the main clearing. The first thing they saw was the eyes of this figure, glistening in the dim light. The moment Twilight made a single look at those eyes, she thought she was becoming delirious. There was something eerily familiar about those eyes ... too familiar. ...

Twilight had to shake her head, rubbing her own eyes and trying it again, only seeing it for what it really was. The light was a bit dim, but even then what light did shine through to the clearing gave them all a good look at this figure of the Perilous Peaks' forests. As Akira had expected given his not-so-surprised look compared to the others, this figure was indeed one of the native Kirin, but the way this one looked was what set it apart from the Neippon Kirin. A Kirin mare, she looked about as tall as Akira, her fur colored an amberish gray, with light goldish gray scales along her back, and over her head down the top of her muzzle. Her opal colored mane was thick and curly, vaguely like that of a Lion's mane, with her serpentine tail ending in a fan of turquoise fur. Her single horn was thick like a tree root, and colored a deep crimson shade.
Behind her started to emerge several other Kirin. Compared to Neipponese Kirin, these Equestrian Kirin were in similar vain to the tall Kirin mare, as they all were thickly maned in some way. The colors themselves varied from greens, to yellows, to browns and such, each Kirin having an encircling lion mane and serpentine fanning tail.

"Are these the Kirin?" asked Star Quartz. Lord Akira nodded and walked over to see the taller Kirin.

"Princess Rain Shine, my pleasure to see you and your village again," Akira said, bowing in respect to the fellow Kirin. Rain Shine didn't speak a word, and did a similar bow of respect to Lord Akira. Rain Shine looked over to the rest, with Twilight and Connie bowing in respect to the leader too. Star Quartz didn't really do that, but that was just from being new to many of these things.

"It's nice to meet you, princess. It's a bit on short notice, but we -" Connie was cut short when Hessonite decided to go and confront these organics. She still was a bit iffy on them give or take, but they were part of the mission regardless.

"So you're the "Kirin" as apart of our mission. Well, needn't any of you worry, even if you're organics, I'll take my time and humbly tolerate you during our stay," Hessonite said with a smile. It sounded all good to her anyway.

...

"... U-Uhh. Our friend, Twilight, is sick. And we know that you might know what's wrong with her," continued Connie, Twilight kinda showing what her problem was by coughing a few times, pointing to her atom's apple.

...

"I think she might be judging us," Star said.

"With how she just acted, I can understand why," Rarity remarked. Honestly though it was kinda hard to tell with Rain Shine.

"Is something wrong, Rain Shine?" Akira asked, possibly the most confused about Rain Shine's response, or lack there of. Rain Shine looked to Akira, but rather than answer, all she did was tilt her head. Her expression showed absolutely nothing in any emotion except for calm and collected ... and nothing possibly.
In fact, as they checked the others Kirin, each one of them were reacting the same way. Now and then, they would tilt their head, but that was about it. Outside of that, they were simply staring at them with a emotionless stare, eyes dull and muzzles unmoving. Hessonite took a deep breath before looking to their own Neipponese Kirin.

"Akira. I'm not sure what kind of test this is supposed to be, but is Rain Shine always this uhh ... judgmental?" questioned Hessonite.

"Umm ... No," Akira said, surprised himself seeing Rain Shine act this way. The Kirin in question didn't, again, give any verbal response but just tilted her head back up straight again. Her gaze looked over to Twilight Sparkle next, the only one who didn't actually talk yet, and the Alicorn ... looked like she saw someone kill a box full of kittens.
Unable to speak though, the poor Alicorn simply had to just sit there until someone would notice her. Meantime, everyone else was focused on the Kirin village residence and their lack of speech.

"Rain Shine? You're free to tell us anything if there's something wrong," Akira insisted. Unfortunately, Rain Shine just gave em the same silent response again. This lack of "respect" was beginning to bother Hessonite.

"Tell me again why are we even bothering with them? These organics clearly are too primitive to understand who they're talking to," Hessonite questioned.

"She can understand Ponish just fine," Akira insisted.

FINALLY they're given a response from her. Again no words, but instead all she did was nod her head. No change in expression, just a move-up and move-down at least twice.

"Oh! But, you don't speak?" asked Connie. Rain Shine shook her head this time side-to-side.

"Don't? Or won't?" Hessonite asked. THIS time the response was a bit lacking, as the Kirin just stared at her again without so much as a tilt of the head. Hessonite was feeling insulted, but luckily the others were there to pull her away before anything else could happen.

"Hessonite, you have to give them "yes" or "no" questions, or they won't answer," concluded Fluttershy.

"You mean like when you talk to your animals?" asked Star.

"Not exactly. I can tell what they're feeling, but these Kirin ... don't show anything," Fluttershy replied, which unfortunately was a bit true more they looked at them. This though was a bit of a problem, and they made sure they all knew it.

"Well HOW are we gonna find a cure for Twilight, if they won't tell us what it is?!" exclaimed Amethyst.


~~~~~~


Hessonite was NOT happy. With the Kirin of the village still not saying a single word to any of them, the group was more or less stuck inside the Kirin village until at least one of them would speak to them. They stood over by the edge of town, waiting for one of the Kirin to utter a word but as they saw the villagers go about their day they weren't saying ... well anything. Going to their local market, tending to the fields, no matter what they did they weren't talking at all, not even to eachother.

"So we went all the way here for nothing?" asked Amethyst.

"No, they might still know how to cure Twilight ... if they can talk," Connie said. She wasn't sure how to handle them though.

"A minor setback, but nothing that can't be handled. Be right back," Hessonite said. Before anyone could stop her Hessonite was already off on her way into the village. It couldn't be that hard to find at least one Kirin in town that was able to talk right? The first Kirin she tired to get some information out of, or at least some form of word, was a calm Kirin over by one of the fruit stands. Hessonite tossed her cape back for some typical flair, though it was mainly to catch the Kirin's attention, which it did work but the expression wasn't any different.

"Well Kirin, I know you must be impressed by my attire. It is simply perfect, don't you agree?"

... and the Kirin said nothing. All she did was get her fruit, and trotted away. Not the best showing. Hessonite couldn't help but feel insulted by this rude animal, but all she did was huff and try someone else. Soon she caught sight of another Kirin, this one working on the leaves on the ground.

"Well, if at first you don't succeed," Hessonite told herself, and she walked over to the next Kirin. It didn't take a flair of her cape for this one to notice her. She tried a more simple approach this time.

"Ahh, I see your kind is hard working. Nothing compared to Gem kind, you understand, but it's still ... adequate," Hessonite said. A simple compliment on someone else would get anyone talking, but the Kirin just kept raking leaves.

"I mean, OBVIOUSLY you all have this done all the time. Am I not wrong?" Hessonite said.

...

"That is a yes or no statement, I KNOW you're smart enough to hear me!" Hessonite said, her voice a bit more rough than her typical pompous slur. But the Kirin just seemingly ignored her, and raked the leaves over into a good pile before just walking away. Hessonite actually growled, but she tried to regather herself.

"No, no, Hessonite, don't lose your temper over some organics. You're better than that," Hessonite made clear to herself. A Gem Admiral losing it over any organic animal, let alone a pony species like this would be disgraceful at best. After getting herself back together, the others decided to come in before she could demand any of them at sword-point.

"Hessonite, maybe you should try your approach with a little less "you" and more about "them"," Rarity suggested.

"Heh. And you would know how to do that?"

"Here, watch me," Rarity suggested. She saw another Kirin off nearby getting some stray twigs out of a fruit bush, and cleared her throat.

"My, I love what you've done to your mane. You got to tell me what moisturizer you use to keep your mane so polished," Rarity insisted. A very simple icebreaker for any conversation when it comes to Rarity ... unless you're talking to these mute Kirin.

"Impressive," remarked a not-so-impressed Hessonite. Rarity actually snorted like a horse would do before trying another Kirin out. Maybe something less specific?

"You know, those clouds look like they're a group of snow daisies. What do they look like to you?" Rarity asked. All the Kirin did was glance up at the sky and that's it. Hessonite just decided to try again, and she took her sights on a few Kirin off nearby a tree stump. A easy stage for her next attempt. She took out her sword, stood on the stump and ... kicked up some dust?

"What's she doing now?" Star questioned.

"Oh no, my scent sponge is starting to act up. I think I'm going to ... ahh ... ACHOOO!"

...

"Ehh ... nice one," Amethyst simply said.

"Bless you," said Connie. Hessonite jabbed her sword in the ground.

"GAHH! SAY SOMETHING! ANYTHING! CAN'T ANY OF YOU TALK?!" Hessonite exclaimed (which obviously didn't get an answer). HOW can she do anything with these Kirins if they won't react to anything she did or anyone else did? They were never gonna get Twilight's cure at this pace. This noise did catch ONE Kirin's attention though, but unfortunately it was just Akira instead of any native Kirin.

"What in Equus was that? I can hear you from across the village," Akira said, him joined by the silent Rain Shine, who herself was just trotting there unlike Akira. Twilight quietly kept her distance, trying to find something else to keep her mind away from Rain Shine.

"Nothing, nothing, we were just trying to get to know the locals," Connie explained, "How're things coming on your end?"

Akira sighed, "Not too good. I've been trying to talk to Rain Shine, but ... seems she doesn't want to talk much. About anything actually."

"Her and every other Kirin. None of the others would talk to us either. They all look there but ... not there," Connie said, looking back to each of the natives a bit again. None of them corrected or denied anything, and simply continued on with whatever work they were doing in the village.

"Which means ... what?" asked Star Quartz. Hessonite pulled her sword out of the ground and got to answering just that.

"It means that this is a complete waste of my time! How is this mission going to be done without a single clue to go off of, and NO ONE to even tell us?" Hessonite groaned, starting to walk away. the moment she mentioned that though was when the Kirin started to react, something Connie seemed to only notice.

"Hessonite, what about Twilight?" asked Akira. Hessonite didn't listen to him, getting the dirt off of her priceless weapon.

"To think I've actually decided to go on this mission when I have so much else to do. I'm too kind, that's what it is. But you know, this is what I get for listening to -" Hessonite was cut off when one of the Kirin patted Hessonite on the hip, getting the Garnet's attention. The Kirin didn't speak, but this time she didn't need to, as all she had to do was point away from the village and off into the forest again. The other local Kirin moved aside to show them exactly what they were showing, and presenting them all with a dirt path into the woods.

"I already know where the exit is," remarked Hessonite.

"Now we're getting somewhere," Connie said smiling, looking down the path. It looked a bit dim in light, and also a bit ominous thanks to some convenient fog.

"I'm missing something here," Amethyst said.

"You want a Kirin that talks, and the Kirin are showing us this," Connie concluded. Hessonite was convinced these Kirin weren't smart enough to know that, but given how little they have to go on, what else was there to do?

"Yes, of course. Amethyst, stay here and guard the perimeter until I get back, I'm going to find a Kirin that can talk," Hessonite instructed.

"You got it," Amethyst said. She was about to go off and do so, but Hessonite stopped her when she got her by the collar, and pulled her back to her.

"You got it who?" Hessonite questioned.

"UGH, alright. ... You got it Your clarity," Amethyst said, even putting in the Diamond insignia as well ... even if she said the clarity stuff with her tongue sticking out. Still, Hessonite smiled.

"That's better. Now you can go," Hessonite stated. Amethyst just walked off from there, keeping the diamond insignia on her until she was out of eyesight. The only one who was a bit less than enthused by that was Hessonite's pleasing grin. Amethyst may be rude, but so long as she kept her place there really was no harm in it.

"I better go with Hessonite. You guys can take care of things here?" Connie asked.

"Okay. Have fun," Star said.

"But how are you going to get her to take you? She doesn't seem the type," Rarity pointed out. Connie already had a plan to get her to let her do that. All she had to do was walk a little closer, and start talking.

"If only I was more ready for this," Connie began. Hessonite glanced back to Connie, who was looking up to the trees for some reason. She would pull out her sword if she brought it with her, so instead she got hold of a nearby branch and pretended to use that.

"I've been working so hard to be a great knight, but I've been so out of practice. I wish there was SOMEONE that can take me under their wing, and show me some new techniques. I could really use a teacher right now," Connie said.

"I could teach you if you need me to, My Connie!" Pearl chimed in with a smile. Her brain-wipe didn't give her squat about swordsmanship, yet anything to please her master.

"You Humans are adopting our skills? I'm simply flattered you'd try to match our feats in anything," Hessonite said, waving her head as she had a smile on her face as if Connie was giving her a compliment.

"I've been really working hard at it, but I don't know what I'm doing. I would love to wield a real sword. I got the studies, I got the weaponry, I got the dream. ... All I'm missing is a good sword instructor to get me off the ground -"

"SAY NO MORE!" Hessonite said, "If that's all your looking for, look no further than right here."

"Oh, but you just said you'd have to go by yourself," Connie said, her hands together and playing the more innocent role of the naive. Hessonite didn't need anymore convincing, and she brought a hand to Connie's shoulders.

"Then I'll just take you with me! You can see first hand then from a professional on how a sword is really wielded, and you can learn from there. How does that sound?" Hessonite offered confidently, her own sword aimed up at the ready as if ready for a fencing match. Connie looked up to Hessonite with a big smile of "surprise".

"That's perfect! Why didn't I think of that? Let's do it!" Connie beamed. Hessonite started to go off on her way, and Connie simply gave a look back to her friends just before going off to join her. Maybe the others could find more luck in the village while Hessonite was away doing her thing. All the others could do was just wait it out in the village until they would come back.

Hopefully they can figure something out.


~~~~~~


From the village, Hessonite and Connie went right on into the woods. Compared to even the local flora and fauna just outside of the peaks, the local forest looked almost out of place. From the arid scrubs outside the peaks, Connie would've easily mistaken this place for some amazonian rainforest. Hessonite kept in the lead, only stopping once or twice to show off her sword on some low-hanging branches or vines.

"As you can see," continued Hessonite, "What you want to do is aim your swing just at the very tip. That was you can make the sharpest attack onto your opponent without dirtying the entire sword. It gets the job done without making such a mess."

"I got it," Connie replied. For the seventh time. She knew all this stuff like the back of her hand by this point, as she held her sword over her shoulder in their walk through the forest.

"This isn't so bad, Connie, just play along until this is over. Maybe you can get some new skills from this," Connie thought, looking to her sword and holding it out in front of her. Quietly, she observed Hessonite's slicing movements, cutting through the foliage as if they weren't there at all. Connie looked to her own sword, and actually started holding it in place.

"Hmm ... how's she doing it? ..." Connie observed Hessonite a bit more closely, eyes focused directly on both her arm movements, the grip of her weapon, and where exactly that sword was slicing. It was such surprising details put into each swing, Connie had to wonder if she could even replicate it. Her target became a small flower, a buttercup, poking just far enough from a nearby bush to show itself to her.

"Okay. One ... two -"

"Three."

Out of nowhere, just before Connie could test a strike, a blinding slash came right in and sliced off the flower clean in two. And not just separating the bud from the stem, this was a literal cut from the top down! Connie dropped her own sword and fell to her knees by said flower.

"A clean cut. How did you DO that? Not even the best fencers in the last 500 years could pull that off!" Connie asked, as Hessonite was twirling the sword in her hand like it was nothing. Hessonite chuckled.

"Someone's impressed. Just jot that one up to good creation, and a few years of practice," Hessonite boasted, enjoying the attention even if it was from a human. And Connie was reminded again just the ego she had to deal with.

"Hehehe ... yeah, that's great," Connie said, held back this time from her own enthusiasm. Hessonite though was still feeling charitable towards Connie.

"I'm glad you feel that way. Connie, is it? Because as your instructor, and now that we're acquainted, I've decided to make you my personal project. I'll make you a Human worthy of a Gem," Hessonite announced.

"It's okay, you don't have to go that far," Connie said, hands up in modesty. However, Hessonite smiled to the human girl, a hand placed on her shoulder.

"I know. ... That's what makes me so nice."


Not very impressive. Hessonite though still began to make her steps around Connie, and as she rested another hand down on her other shoulder, a tune started to play.

(Popular ("Wicked" Original Broadway Cast Recording/2003) parody)

Hessonite; Whenever I see someone
Less fortunate than I
And let's face it: who isn't?
Less fortunate than I

Getting a little more caught up in the moment, she released Connie for a short bit, and got one hand over her gemstone while she laid her back hand on her forehead.

Hessonite; My tender stone
starts to fade away~

Honestly Connie wasn't too impressed with that statement, but she couldn't really go too far before Hessonite got her arm around her again. Could be for the song's sake, or maybe her own sake, but Connie wasn't gonna just walk out of this. Not if Hessonite could help it.

Hessonite; And when someone needs some confidence
I simply HAVE to step right in
I know, I know ... exactly ... what to say.

Connie was released again, though this time Hessonite paused and looked the human over for a few seconds, the admiral Gem looking Connie over up and down until she reached her own conclusions. Try and guess what conclusions they were?

Hessonite; And very soon you'll learn ...
Though you're the toughest stone I've yet to turn!

RUDE! Connie looked appalled even if she didn't entirely get Gem slang. Next thing she knew the Hessonite was basically dragging her along their way to the next part of the path, Hessonite in full pride mode.

Hessonite; Don't worry
I'm determined to succeed!

Hessonite found a convenient stump out in the woods that was just the right size for a seat, so what better time to place Connie down onto it. Connie would go away if Hessonite wasn't still holding onto her. Well on the bright side, at least Hess didn't look like she wanted to hurt her, so she was in the clear for that.

Hessonite; Follow my lead
and yes ... indeed.
You ...
Will ...
Be ...

well ... maybe.

Hessonite; Clarity!~

"Huh?" Connie asked. Hessonite quickly got her attention, looking proud of her task even if Connie didn't have a clue what she was gonna do with her.

Hessonite; My little sweet Clarity.

So this is about being formal, not confident. Connie had to clear this up to her at some point, but Hessonite was far from done with her song, a hand giving Connie a pat on the back as she tried smiling to show she was in it. Hessonite though then started to show a few poses and looks on her face to go with what she said next.

Hessonite; I'll teach you the proper ways
the right stance and sways
little things you took granite.

It was at this point she started to get a little more "handsy" with Connie, swiftly getting hold of her and picking her up, bringing her outfit into the song.

Hessonite; Such as knowing what looks to wear

Hess then brushed her hand through Connie's hair, actually quickly getting it into a ponytail with a few motions of her hand.

Hessonite; How to fix your hair

Connie gripped her hair and got back onto her own feet, Hessonite hardly even fazed by her efforts to keep to herself.

Hessonite; Everything you need to know 
for Gem-Clarity~
And I'll really guarantee

In a more gentle gesture, Hessonite brought out her hand to help Connie better trust her. Was Hessonite even trying to be trusting or finding better ways to insult her? Connie couldn't tell anymore, but she didn't seem to be enjoying it much as she tried to let her hair down again.

Hessonite; With an assist from me
To be who you'll be
instead of dreary who you were - well, are.

Ok, NOW she wasn't enjoying it much.

Hessonite; There's nothing that will stop you
from becoming Clarity~

"... That didn't rhyme," Connie commented. Not that it mattered, because Hessonite was actually preparing something in hand. Her gemstone glowed bright, and something started to form up in her arms. It might be her lightning fast speed, or it might just be she somehow had it on hand for just the right person (probably the former HOPEFULLY). Hessonite had something for Connie either way.

Hessonite; We're gonna make you
Cla-ri-ty

Hessonite felt proud at least, but Connie really felt like she just dealt with Rarity on fashion day: in a swift few motions, Connie's outfit quickly changed into a Homeworld general's attire - easily one belonging to a typical Green Emerald. And no, not the Harmony Gem Emerald either. Hessonite even included a space captain cape too!
Hessonite meanwhile glanced off into the forest, her imagination taking over the stage of the song. In this, Hessonite was the star, and standing nearby were a set of characters: one a human, and one a pony.

Hessonite; When I see compulsive creatures
with their pre-impulsive features

Well that was quick. Hessonite continued her verse as she gently pushed the animals away.

Hessonite; I remind them on their own behalf.
To. Think. Of.

Then the spotlights shifted to above even her, presenting the highest authorities of Gem kind in form of the Diamonds themselves, starting with White, and shifting to Blue and Yellow.

Hessonite: Diamond-grand authority
and especially great diamond court members!
Did they have brains or knowledge?
Don't make me laugh!

Connie needed to re-check her ears after hearing that one, as Hessonite came back to reality and went over towards Connie again. Connie was still trying to work out her own outfit when she came over again to finish her up.

Hessonite; They're all clarity!
Please, it's all about Clarity~

Hessonite then pulled something out that looked similar to a comb or something, and despite Connie trying to keep her from doing it, she began to fix up her hair again.

Hessonte; It's not only aptitude
it's the way you're viewed
So it's very shrewd to be,
Very very clarified
Like ME!


And just like that the Gem Admiral was done with Connie. With the outfit given to her, Connie also got her hair tied back again, the curls and poofy outlook replaced with a more smoothed out and braided ponytail, kinda like how she would occasionally do while training but more refined. Hessonite herself started bringing Connie off away from the path, and over towards the sound of a mountainside stream. It wasn't a crystal clear mirror, but a reflection was still easy to see as Hess had Connie look into it.

"It's a good start. Given time, and you'll look as stunning as me," Hessonite remarked with a smile. But looking into the reflection of this battle-ready dame ...

"I gotta go," Connie decided. An odd reaction. Not changing out of the outfit just yet, Connie briskly walked away from the situation, leaving Hessonite alone.

"You're welcome," Hess replied.

...

"Thank goodness, my old clothes are still on," Connie said, getting the whole warrior outfit off of her, finishing it off with a cape being tossed over the pile. At least Hessonite had the decency to not steal her clothes, or this would've been an even bigger problem. Then she had to do her hair.

"How many did she do? Ten knots? Twelve?" Connie wondered, hands behind her head and working through the braiding she had done on her. "This is gonna be harder than I thought. Sooner or later she'll have to see through my ploy, or I really will end up as just her personal project. ... Did she have to make me look like that?"

Just remembering made her head hurt, and she didn't even get rejuvenated. Connie still had that image in her head of herself as someone's mannequin, bringing a hand to her head as the world began to grow dark -

*rustle**rustle*

Connie sprung up to her feet on the noise nearby, not sure yet if she should run off, or fight, or come up with an excuse if it were Hess checking on her. Looking around the forest, her eyes pinpointed out a bush just a foot away, shivering and rustling as something was starting to come out of it. Instinctively Connie got her sword out again, aiming it directly at the figure.

"Come out, whoever you are, I can see you," Connie instructed.

So she did. Another Kirin, this one olive green in scale and ginger in mane. This one must've wandered out of the village for a stroll before finding Connie. The Kirin, as with the others, didn't seem fazed by her at all and just had the boring mundane expression everyone else had been getting already.

"Phew. I thought you were another monster," Connie said, putting her sword down, "... Hey, maybe you can help me. I'm looking for a Kirin that can talk, do you know where one is?"

The Kirin, unfortunately, shook her head for no.

"Any idea where I should look?"

The Kirin just tilted her head.

"Oh what am I thinking, isn't there ANY Kirin that can talk? We're wasting time!" Connie shouted in defeat. Twilight was stuck at the village with nothing to go off, and she knew she had limited time before Canterlot would try to find her again.

As for the Kirin ... well ...

"Gotcha! Sorry, sorry, but that was too good. Oh, you don't know how much I missed jokes. Hi-larity! Am I pronouncing that right? Some words I haven't said in a will - While! While. Hi, I'm Autumn Blaze. You've just arrived, and perhaps you're tired or hungry or reflective and want to sleep and eat and journal? Which you should do, of course! But first - Oh! Oh, what joy to talk with another creature! It's been so long! You must tell me everything about you! There's so much to say, so much to do! Oh, look at me. I'm going on, and you haven't seen - I mean, have you seen -? W-What am I saying? Of course you haven't. So just - I - yeah - I will j - Follow me!"

....... Well that happened.

"Umm ... okay. OK, I'm coming," Connie replied. Dumbfounded.


~~~~~~


The Kirin Village wasn't turning up much of anything either. As Hess and Connie were busy, everyone else tried to figure out some sort of cure for Twilight's own silence (or at the very least someone that could say anything). Unfortunately, there wasn't really that much luck no matter who they tried talking to, the only main response either being a nod of the head or just nothing at all. As for Twilight, all she could do was just sit over by the fountain and wait as everyone else continued their luck, given she couldn't even talk herself.

"Okay you, you know any cure for Twilight or what?" Amethyst asked to one of the Kirin as she leaned against one of many trees. The Kirin of course didn't answer her again, and she simply walked away from her. Twilight turned her head to see Pearl close by with a few more.

"My Connie wants to know if there's any cure for her Alicorn," said Pearl. "....... take all the time you need."

The Kirin didn't even bother with her.

"Come on, this is soo boring. Someone say SOMETHING so we can all go home!" Amethyst shouted to whoever the hay will answer ... which meant nobody. Shocker.

Twilight just sighed and looked back towards the fountain. Exactly what could she do anyway? Even if she came up with the answer she can't tell anyone about it. The best she can do for right now was see her reflection in the water, and how many ripples she can count. Here she was, doing nothing as everyone was scrambling around to find this cure for her. But as she sat there and stared at the water, turned out that wasn't the only problem that began to appear, as a silhouette started to form up right behind her.

"O-Oh my gosh!" Twilight thought, seeing a VERY familiar reflection at first. Seeing it was enough to make her horn glow all over again, though she quickly tried calming down again once she turned around and only saw Princess Rain Shine, looking a little more than concerned for the glowing-horned Alicorn. Twilight took a breath, but tried backing away anyway just in case her horn would go off again. Rain Shine moved forward towards Twilight.

"Twilight stop it, just get a grip on yourself," Twilight thought.

One bump was all it took to shoot. Rain Shine moved just behind Twilight, her leg stopping her from going further, but Twilight ended up shooting magic out of her head instead in a quick blast. The shot luckily didn't hit anypony, but it did end up hitting a piece of hanging fruit, turning that into a bowling ball ... which crashed on top of someone's fruit stand. Twilight immediately covered her head, her hooves over her horn before it could shoot again.

"Stupid horn, stop shooting everything! Why can't I control this?" Twilight thought, trying to even scratch her horn a little with her hooves, but it wasn't working.

"Twilight? Why's your horn glowing?" Star asked.

"Oh no, they saw it too!" Twilight thought. Grant it, how could they not see a flash of magic from a Unicorn horn? Twilight straightened up and saw not just Star, but Fluttershy and Rarity too. Her horn began to brighten up just for Twilight to cover it up with her hooves and -

*ZAP* "GAAHH!"

...Well, she had to deal with wheels on her hooves now. Great.

"Twilight! Twilight, take deep breaths, deep breaths," Fluttershy said urgently, but she had to move away as Twilight's horn shot into the sky again, this time aimed right at the clouds (which turned into cotton candy). Twilight closed her eyes and kept herself quiet, though they all could tell she was either embarrassed or scared. She had to keep this up for a good seven seconds or so, before they saw her horn beginning to lose its glow. It ended with a long sigh.

"What was that action?" Amethyst questioned, finally finding something interesting in this village.

"I don't know. It didn't look like she meant to do anything," Fluttershy said, a hoof on Twilight's back to let the Alicorn know she was there. Twilight looked down in shame, but when she tried to sit down, she ended up slipping right onto the floor thanks to the wheeled hooves, her face hitting the floor in a splat.
Twilight kept trying to get up over and over again, but each and every time all Twilight got was a face of dirt. Amethyst couldn't help herself, and she was just laughing up a storm at this mishap.

"HAA HAA! You messed yourself up BAD! Hahahaha!" Amethyst mocked.

"Amethyst!" exclaimed Rarity, "Now's not the time for petty mocking! Can't you see Twilight's having difficulty here?"

"Yeah, that's why it's funny," Amethyst replied.

"Ooohhh, I'd be even more ticked if you weren't already wiped clean of your memory," Rarity said, trying not to act too upset, but still showed a little bit of a scowl to her face.

"Not THAT again, look I know who I am: I'm Hessonite's right-hand Quartz with a sick tank and a lot of power. What do you want from me?"

"Yes. Right. must've slipped my mind," Rarity sighed. Their attention went back to Twilight again, Fluttershy keeping Twilight by her as Star Quartz was using her calming aura to help Twilight relax.

"Feeling better?" Fluttershy asked. All Twilight did was nod a little bit, but she had to keep herself "sitting" like a rabbit to stop falling over her hooves. Even though she was relaxed enough to control her horn, that didn't mean much since Rain Shine was still standing right there. The Alicorn kept a straight face as best she could do, but her horn was not gonna lie to anybody there. Rarity started to see the connection.

"Hmm?" Rarity "asked" looking to Twilight while pointing a hoof at Rain Shine. Twilight personally tried not to let it get to her, but it was getting a bit too obvious for the Unicorn. She looked between Twilight and Rain Shine for just a little bit, the gears turning more ... until a shocked look came up on her face.

"Twilight. Oh no I had no idea - you get over here," Rarity said, bringing Twilight further away from Rain Shine as fast as she could manage. Excessive, but needed for Twilight to calm down. Rain Shine was taken aback.

"Rarity, what're you doing?" Fluttershy asked. Rarity wasted little time in whispering the main problem, Fluttershy suddenly seeing it in full as the unicorn pointed to the Kirin leader.

"O-Oh my. ... She does look a lot like her," muttered Fluttershy.

"Everyone!"

Before Twilight had a chance to answer, the group of Ponies and Gems began hearing Akira starting to come in a brisk trot. At least there was at least one Kirin in the village that could speak.

"Good, good, you're all still here. Firstly - uh. Is she alright?" Akira asked, looking to Twilight. Twilight quickly shook her head, but then gave a smile as if everything's alright.

"U-Uhh, she's doing ... fine," Fluttershy vouched for her.

"Hmm ... alright. Anyway, did Connie and her friend return yet?" Akira asked, noticing the two not there still despite the wait.

"While I draw the line at "her friend", no, they haven't. Why, did you find the cure?" Rarity asked. Before answering though, and strangely so, Akira took a quick glance towards Rain Shine and actually gave her a sort of ... disappointed look? Stern obviously. Rain Shine just tilted her head, this time just confused rather than unable to respond to him.

"Something like that. Come here, I'll show you."

With Akira leading on, everyone else began to follow Akira towards another part of the village. As a few Kirin were looking on, and with Rain Shine following behind them all, the group found themselves looking at what appeared to be a kind of painting on the rock wall, kind of like a cave painting.
This painting on the rock wall seemed fairly simple, showing a vague look of the Kirin Village with residence among them. One side of the painting showed a herd of the native Kirin villagers smiling, happy and getting along pretty well. Nothing out of the ordinary there, but looking to the otherside of the painting showed completely different creatures. Well, kind of. They looked like Kirin, sure, but they looked much more demonic almost. Manes made of red and blue flames, coal-colored fur and scales, razor-sharp fangs jutting out, and hooves set ablaze by lava red embers.
Just seeing those monstrous creatures gave some of them shivers.

"My, what're those vile things?" Rarity asked.

"Cool," Amethyst said.

"Those "vile things" are called the Nirik," Akira explained, "It turns out while there are Kirin living here, Niriks live among the Peaks of Peril too. Creatures made of fire, hate, and vengeance. Last time they appeared, it was almost enough to burn down the entire forest!"

"Oh my, that sounds awful. All those hurt animals and Kirin," Fluttershy said. Figuring out this small tidbit of information though, Pearl suddenly realized something a bit more urgent ...

"My Connie! I let her go alone out there with those creatures! I'M COMING, MASTER!" Pearl exclaimed, immediately rushing off towards her master.

"Pearl, come back here! Eh thanks Akira, but we have to go," Rarity said, galloping off after Pearl before any Niriks could catch them.

"Those Nirik could be out there," Fluttershy added before flying off to join them herself.

"Wait a second!" Akira shouted. However, everyone else was already running off out of the village and down the path Hessonite and Connie went to. The only one that stayed was Rain Shine and Twilight, but given both being silent they couldn't really do much either. Akira couldn't stop them.

"None of you even know where they come from," Akira sighed.


~~~~~~


Autumn Blaze, prancing like a giddy filly, was more than happy to bring this random stranger in Connie right back towards her home. Connie was expecting this Kirin to live back in the village, but instead the mare was heading towards a isolated shack. It looked like a shed almost, but shaped in such a way that made it home for Autumn: a few sheets to make a padio rooftop, a palm tree for an umbrella, and Connie could even see a small telescope at the very top. Pretty impressive considering Autumn Blaze was away from the rest of the Kirin. And that wasn't the only thing Connie seen walking along. Autumn Blaze stopped just alongside the cliff side right next to her home, and Connie stood right next to her.
Feeling the late winter breeze going along through the peaks and mountain range, the entire world beyond Autumn's home was absolutely stunning. Healthy green foliage in several spots along the smooth hills, a flowing river carving its way just through the valley, and topping it off the two saw the most beautiful rainbow they've ever seen! All the soft colors of the rainbow shined in absolute harmony with one another, both sides flowing along the perfect U of colors across the river as if welcoming it.

"That ... that's amazing," Connie gasped.

"Oh, you think so, too?!" Autumn Blaze said, looking out to the world beyond the cliffs dreamily, "The way the light shimmers off everything, like, like it all suddenly woke up the moment you saw it. And you realize maybe the water and the mountains and the forest and the... yes, the rainbow and the stars and the sky are all looking back at you thinking the same thing? That we are a part of the everything. That maybe there's just one thing and we are all it."

Connie needed a moment to take it in, eyes sparkling as Autumn Blaze looked to her with a smile of her own.

"Not gonna lie ... that's amazing too," Connie admitted. Autumn Blaze was happy to hear it, trotting over to one of the nearby trees, which at the moment was blooming beautiful green flowers.

"Mmmm. And this is just the first stop on our journey to see, talk, tiptoe through!" continued Autumn Blaze, "Oh, I'm so glad I got somepony else to talk to, it's been so long since I last share my thoughts and felling - feeling! Feeling. You know, to share everything with. By the way, I never seen anything like you before, you got to tell me what you are, and feel free to be as descriptive as possible."

"Alright, settle down," Connie said, "My name's Connie, and I was out here to find a talking Kirin, so looks like that Kirin is ... you."

"You've been looking for me? I bet the other Kirin sent you, they must want me back after they sent me away!"

"Wait. What?" Connie felt blind-sided by that news as Autumn Blaze continued.

"What? .. Oh yeah, the Kirin back in my village made the vow of Silence. That's kinda why they asked me to leave." Autumn Blaze's mood soon changed into a more somber one while explaining that one to Connie.

"The Vow of Silence. So that's why no one in the village will talk to us," Connie realized.

"Us? There's more of you? How many, where're they?" Autumn Blaze asked, curious.

"My friends. We were hoping you all had some sort of cure for my friend Twilight. She can't speak at all, just like the rest of the Kirin," Connie explained.

"Oh no, not your friend too. It must be terrible for her not to speak anything when you got so much you wanna say running around in your head. Trust me, I know the feeling, and it is NOT f-u-n fun," Autumn replied, speaking from her own experience by the way she worded it all out. That did bring up another question for them though, putting all the pieces together.

"Sorry if this isn't a good subject but, what happened to your village in the first place? I know Kirin don't naturally stay quiet, so something must've happened. ... Unless you don't want to talk about it."

"It's a long story. I'd rather not talk about it," Autumn sighed.

"Oh. Well it's okay, I under -"


"I'd rather SIIIIIIING!~"

Here we go again.

(The Lion Guard - We're the Same (Sisi Ni Sawa) parody)

Autumn could remember it like it was yesterday: the Kirin Village she knew a long time ago looking very lively and happy as ever, much more so than it was today. They all looked like they were having fun, each and every one of them including Autumn herself, and of course they were chatting away the day and enjoying eachother's company.

Autumn Blaze; Once upon a time, the Kirin played
We joked, we talked, we laughed all day
Fun forever, at least or so we always say

It started off fine and dandy, but Autumn's memories shifted to basically the beginning of their trouble. Two Kirin were in front of one of the shops in the village, and unfortunately they eyed the exact same piece of fruit. And neither were so willing to give it up, getting more and more riled up as Autumn narrated over everything.

But then one day, a fight broke out
and hurtful words shouted about
they all got enraged, destruction spread around

Smash of a pot later, and the scene changed back to Autumn's current house, Autumn Blaze standing on her observatory by her telescope.

but they all took it wrong, and I'll tell you how!

Autumn jumped off of her rooftop, sliding down along the leaf roof and right down to Connie's side, not missing a single beat, before gesturing to the beautiful rainbow again.

Rainbows in the sky come after rain!

Connie; I hear what you're saying
But you need to explain

Autumn Blaze was more than happy to explain to her, but that involved Autumn Blaze grabbing Connie by the lips first, showing a smile and a frown to match her song.

Autumn Blaze; In the end, don't give up your smile
for the fear of pain
Happy and angry
They are the same!

"I'm sorry, I remembered how much I LOVE rhyming and singing. Okay, where was I? Oh, oh yeah!" Autumn Blaze said.

Back to her memories, after the big fight, the Kirin all looked on towards a wrecked village: the trees scorched up, and not too many homes even left standing after all of that fighting. And what's worse, some of the Kirin were still bickering! It was more than Rain Shine could actually take, her getting more and more bothered herself.

My pretty village all got burned
And from arguing, someone learned
words can hurt, and can be a bigger curse.

Rain Shine finally decided.

"No More Talking!" our leader said
And from the ruins we then went

Went they did, under Rain Shine's instructions. The Kirin villagers all found themselves looking on to a mountain stream going through the Peaks of Peril. It didn't look different from any other stream, but this one Rain Shine simply pointed to, and the Kirin all began to march right into it, going in angry and bothered, and coming out ... feeling nothing. It still was enough to regrow the village overtime.

The Stream of Silence cooled our emotions instead
And peace was restored, or so they said

Autumn pulled the scene away like a curtain.

"Well, not really said, but thought, but you know what I mean," Autumn said, before tossing the scene aside and she started running along a rainbow like it was a bouncy rope bridge, singing along as she did so.

Rainbows in the sky come after rain

With all this singing going on, Connie couldn't help herself and decided to join in. Autumn hopped off her rainbow bridge and joined Connie, who herself was looking through Autumn's telescope to the sky (which in their imagination was night time, and with tons of stars).

And stars will not shine without burning away

Back in reality again, Autumn and Connie got off the roof again, sliding down a nearby tree, and the two danced a bit once they landed on the ground.

In the end, don't give up your smile
for the fear of pain
Happy and angry
They are the same!

Autumn + Connie; Happy and angry
They are the same!

Autumn's memories continued on sometime after the Stream of Silence vow, day in and day out, and the only one having trouble with this was Autumn Blaze. No one else showed it, but Autumn was stressing out so much because she couldn't talk, hoof rubbing her head as if she got a headache as she walked along, not paying attention to where she was going.

Never thought I'd ever talk again
But everything changed when
I rolled into a flower bed

Her sweet salvation in flowers! She wasted no time in getting the flowers she rolled into back to her house, grinding them up and making them into a drink. Only one way to test to see if it'll work, and Autumn was the only Kirin there.

Just one sip, it cleared my pipes
And I can speak for the first time!
First in a long time!

Autumn couldn't wait any longer. Shortly after gaining her voice, and she was running around the village, jabbering chatting and talking about who-knows-what to whoever would listen to her. Heck even if they weren't listening she'd still chat with them! Too bad the village didn't enjoy it a much as she was ...

(Verse 2 repeat)
Ever since that cure, up to this day
I spoke each thought that came my way
And bit by bit, it drove everyone insane!

It was finally enough to get Rain Shine involved, one stomp finally enough to get Autumn Blaze to be quiet. In tune to Autumn's narrating, Rain Shine simply had to aim her hoof between both the villagers of the village, and a open path right into the forest.

Soon, our leader gave me a choice
I could stay there, or keep my voice
And so I left them, and kept to me all the time

Until you showed up, and told you why!

Back in reality, Autumn Blaze galloped through the forest with Connie running alongside, the beautiful forest going pass them as they rushed through, birds flying and butterflies fluttering. Beauty along with sound and voice.

Rainbows in the sky come after rain
And Sunsets won't shine unless the light fades away

In the end, don't give up your smile
for the fear of pain
Happy and angry
They are the same!

"One more time!" Autumn shouted, as they reached back to the house.

Rainbows in the sky come after rain
If you don't learn the past, then there's nothing to gain

Autumn Blaze raced right up to her balcony overlooking the valley again, as a good flock of butterflies started fluttering on by them. Connie looked on to the flying storm as Autumn continued.

In the end, don't give up your smile
for the fear of pain
Happy and angry
They are the same!

Happy and angry
They are the same!

Rainbows in the sky come after rain



Autumn Blaze finished her song with a small tear coming out of her eye, as a small white butterfly fluttered by them both, landing on Connie's head before it flew away. Now Connie got the full picture.

"That's terrible! You shouldn't stop feeling anything just because you're afraid to get angry again. Getting mad's just as normal as being happy," Connie concluded.

"That's what I told them! You know, when I started talking again," Autumn replied. Taking a vow was one thing, but how could they cure Twilight if they all forced silent?! And by a magic river no less? Connie looked out to the open hills again and seeing the rainbow still up and as pretty as ever. The answer was clear.

"Autumn, thanks so much for telling me all of this."

"Believe me, the pleasure's all mine. You know how long it's been since I broke out into song? Like, WAY too long!"

"By the way, Autumn, how long were you alone?" Connie asked. Autumn thought for a little, hoof scratching her chin.

"Ok, let's see, judging by the moon and sun ... I have no idea. But I know it's been a looonnnng time."

"Then you've waited long enough," Connie decided, "Because you got the cure for the Steam of Silence! All we have to do is get them to let you come back, and you all can get your voices back when they take your cure! You all will be talking again in no time."

"Oh my - Yes. YES. YES - oh wait ... no."

"NO?! Autumn you have to tell them, don't you want to go back?" Connie said, not believing her ears.

"Oh I do I do, I really do. But the thing is ... the antidote for my anecdote? It's all gone," Autumn admitted, sitting down at the edge of her home. It wouldn't be that easy.

"There's no more cure left?" Connie asked.

"I used to last of the Foal's Breath flowers we have to make the cure, and I haven't seen any bloom since. Believe me I've had a lot of alone time lately, and I've searched this entire forest 73 and a half times," Autumn explained. "... Though I wonder if that second half could make a difference ..."

Well now what do they do? Connie never even heard of Foal's Breath before, though if Autumn did use it all up it wouldn't matter anyway. Still, Connie tried to get her brain to work on what to do next, but it wasn't like she had a lot of options.

"Wait right here. The first thing I'm going to do is get the village to take you back," Connie said. It was a clearer path than the Foal's Breath. Connie had to get off on her way, and Autumn stood there and watched as Connie raced right back towards the village. Autumn then brought up her hoof, which by then had a face on it with a twig between her hoof ... yes. ...

"You know, between you and me, I don't think she's gonna convince them," said Autumn.

"NOPE," "replied" her hoof.

"But ... I really hope she does."


~~~~~~


With her friends running off to get Hess and Connie, Twilight was basically left all by herself in the silent Kirin village with her own thoughts. Maybe her horn freaking out made them not want her to come, or maybe them figuring out the connection did that. Either way, Twilight could only find some form of salvation by the fountain again. The native Kirin kept some distance away from her, worried thanks to seeing Twilight's magic going on the fritz. She couldn't blame them for being worried since it was Alicorn magic she couldn't control properly ... but she still felt bad about it either way.
Twilight took a drink of the cool refreshing water, sloshed it around a bit in her mouth and gargled some before spitting it aside and tried talking again. Sadly, clearing her pipes was gonna take more than that, because it didn't sound good at all. Not a single word mustered through her spore-covered voice box.

"I don't think I can stand anymore. First my voice is missing, now my horn's not working ... I'm turning into a complete mess. Please find that cure, you guys," Twilight thought. Twilight was getting a headache almost, rubbing her head with her hoof near her horn.

Eventually one Kirin did reach out to her.

"Twilight Sparkle?"

Twilight turned her head, but instead of the local Kirin coming out it was Lord Akira coming to see her. Twilight just looked back to the reflection in the water.

"Twilight, There's something stressing you out," Akira stated. Twilight shook her head again, but this time Akira wasn't buying it.

"Please don't do that. Listen, you and your friends helped me when I needed it most. And now I want to do the same for you, if you'd let me. Something's wrong, now what is it?" Akira explained. If only it were that simple. Twilight couldn't talk, s if she was going to explain her problem to him she needed to figure out a different way to do it. Twilight brought her hoof to her chest in an inhale, and brought it out in front of her in an exhale. All she had to figure out now is how to even do it. Twilight looked around near the pond for something to use, but the best she could find was just a sturdy stick.

Beggars can't be choosers.

She trotted over and got the stick, noticing a few Kirin backing away, and walked back over towards Akira while holding it in her mouth. There was an open spot in the mud by the water that was just the right size to be used as a canvas, and Twilight began drawing away on it as best she could. Her drawing with her mouth was a bit rusty though, yet she made do with what she got, getting a pretty decent picture going into the dirt. Akira looked down to the picture once Twilight was finished with it. The drawing appeared to be an Alicorn, much like Twilight but older, standing with wings spread.
Twilight then went ahead and drew another picture alongside her. This one looked very much similar to her, only this one had a bigger horn, a longer tail, and a lion's mane. She stood in a similar position to the first one.

All Twilight had to do next was draw an equal sign between the two.

"Rain Shine ... Celestia ... They do look alike. And this bothers you?" Akira asked one more time. Twilight took the stick and began drawing again, but this one she actually paused and hesitated a little bit, a shiver running through her body. Like every other time this was even brought up. All she had to do to explain this part was place the stick over Celestia's drawing. Draw one long line down. And a small line near the top.

"... Ooooohhhh. I ... I'm so sorry to hear that. And now you're - ... Oh Twilight. ..."

Twilight spat out the stick and hung her head. Akira could only place a hoof on her shoulder, but the two began hearing more hoof steps coming closer to them. The leader Rain Shine couldn't help it anymore and was heading their way. This was enough to get Akira turning around completely to her, Twilight only glancing her way and already feeling a little uneasy. Some of the Kirin started to go away as Rain Shine went to their side, seeing the picture that Twilight was showing about. Despite Twilight trying to hide it with her wing, Rain Shine could very easily see the problem.

"Rain Shine, I'm terribly sorry but you shouldn't be over here right now," Akira informed. Rain Shine though levitated the same stick Twilight was using and in her own way began to draw herself. Her drawing was much simpler, only drawing a few swirls and flowing lines with a special stone above it. Still, Rain Shine circled it and showed that it could be the answer Twilight needed for her problem. Twilight studied it more closely, but Akira was not having any of it.

"My goodness, NO!" Akira said, actually stomping the ground over the drawing, "Rain Shine, you can't do that to Twilight!"

Rain Shine took a step back, but still tilted her head. Akira had to be more firm now.

"It's bad enough you've done the Stream of Silence to your entire village, but it's too much when you want the princess of Equestria to take it too! What would the other princesses even say if you'd done that? You'd have to step down as leader for such a thing, and I really don't want to have to do that," Akira explained. Twilight didn't have a clue what he was talking about, though seeing all the other Kirin so emotionless and quiet gave her enough of a hint, making her back up too. Rain Shine however looked a bit dismayed hearing that from her fellow higher Kirin, a hoof rubbing her leg as she looked to the ground. Akira took a breath.

"I know you like to help, Rain Shine, and you do an amazing job, but you can't just silence others to help in their problems, even if they're angry or sad. Recovery is what she needs right now, and for this, she needs only time to do that kind of work. Do you understand?" Akira asked, making sure it ended in a yes or no question for Rain Shine. Rain Shine looked to Akira, and simply nodded. Rain Shine looked over to Twilight one more time and, while hesitant, started to walk away ...

Until Twilight tapped her shoulder. Rain Shine stopped briefly and looked to Twilight, who started heading back to the drawing she just made. This time she simply washed away the equals sign between Celestia and Rain Shine. Whether Akira knew it or not, he touched her in some way, and those words got her into perspective. She shouldn't see Rain Shine as Celestia, but as another pony entirely.

The least she could do was show that there weren't any hard feelings to the Kirin leader.

Rain Shine smiled to Twilight, but knew she needed some space so she began to go anyway. Still, it was only then did they see that the other Kirin of the village were ... missing. ...


~~~~~~


Within the nearby forest, The others were still not able to find where Connie or Hessonite had gone off to. The path they went down would've found them if they both didn't go off the path. Pearl was running like mad for most of it -

"PEARL, WILL YOU JUST SLOW DOWN?!" exclaimed Rarity.

Everyone else was just struggling to keep up with her. Pearl was only finally stopped in her tracks when Star Quartz "appeared" in her way, making Pearl stop on a dime before charging right into her. For some extra measure, Star went and hugged Pearl to keep her from going any further as the rest finally caught up.

"My master needs me!" gasped Pearl.

"No she doesn't! Pearl, you're acting irrational. Whether you remember or not, Connie can take care of herself," Rarity said, pulling Pearl back a bit before she could get herself free.

"My purpose in existence is to protect and serve her, she's in danger," Pearl retorted. Nearby, Amethyst just rolled her eyes, leaning against a tree.

"Hessonite was right: you Pearls are so clingy I swear. Face it, she ditched you."

"My master is out there somewhere all alone, how can you say that?! She would NEVER just ... ditch me!" Pearl snapped.

"There WHERE IS SHE?! Because I don't see her coming back to your rescue! Stop acting so weird will you?"

"But my Connie - eeeeeeeooooohhhhhhh ..." Star Quartz just placed her hand on her back, a faint glow around her, in order to get her ability working to calm Pearl down a bit. They didn't need Pearl to be panicking out here, not with Niriks around.

"Whoa How'd you beat her up like that?" Amethyst asked, impressed.

"Beat her up?" Star asked, tilting her head like the Kirin from the village. Pearl felt almost dizzy from such a surge of "spacing out", enough to get her down onto her knees as she looked like she was staring off into space a bit. Fluttershy was there to be sure that Pearl didn't just fall over onto the ground.
That was, until they began to hear someone else starting to come down the same path they were taking.

"Oh no. I-Is that a Nirik?" Fluttershy gulped. That made them a bit on edge, but it just took a short minute before they found out who was coming along the trail back to them. It took her a while, but Connie finally got herself back from Autumn's house to the path.

"Guys! There you are," Connie called. And just like that Pearl sprung right back up onto her feet, glee and happy as ever that her master returned to them. Amethyst sure didn't feel so good about it though, feeling a cringe come up on her face.

"Dang it, I hate it when you're right. You get this look on your face - ... yeah that's the one," Amethyst saw the "I told you so" smirk that Pearl was giving to Amethyst, as Connie got to the group. Pearl gladly went right over to Connie's side, seeing her a little worn out. All she did then was summon a beverage from her stone in form of a can of soda.

"Liquid refreshment, my Connie?"

"Not now, Pearl, listen: I know how to solve the problem! We need to get everyone talking again," Connie announced.

"Duh. None of them will talk anyway," Amethyst remarked.

"No no, it's not what you think. All of the Kirin were hexed into staying silent, it's the same thing as Twilight when she got effected by those spores! None of them are even able to speak, vocalize or anything anymore."

"Wait, so they're not just being jerks and shutting up?"

"Right, and I think I know how to fix them, but first we need to convince them to getting their voices back."

"Convince them? What do you mean?" Fluttershy asked.

"It mean -" 

Before Connie could even speak again, they all just remembered there was one more Gem that just now showed up, stopping on a dime as fast as inhumanely possible right by the group. Lucky (or unlucky) for them it was just Hessonite, but the Garnet didn't look entirely pleased with Connie when she saw her.

"Connie, there you are! I've looked every mile so far, where have you been? And what in the stars happened to the uniform I made for you?" Hessonite questioned, her hand holding the shoulder fabric of Connie's shirt.

"I took it off, and I found the solution to the problem," Connie replied, pulling away from Hessonite.

"On who's authority?" Hessonite questioned.

"Umm, no authority, it just kinda happened," Connie replied. Hessonite took a look over to the group next and then saw Amethyst among them. Again, not too happy to see that.

"I thought you were keeping guard at the village, Amethyst. What're you doing out here?" Hessonite asked quizzically. Amethyst kicked a stray rock.

"I don't know, I got bored."

"You got bored?" Hessonite pinched the bridge of her nose and groaned a little bit. "Seriously, I leave you all alone for half an hour and it's already getting out of line. Amethyst, get back to your post like a good Quartz soldier. Connie, as your newly established mentor, I advise you to keep close to me. We don't want anymore accidents on my mission, thank you very much."

That did it.

"YOUR mission? This is not YOUR mission!" Rarity shouted, "As a matter of fact, Hessonite, none of us even wanted you to come along in the first place!"

"Not want me? Ridiculous, you all should be lucky to have the highest Gem Admiral on this mission -"

"Well we're not! All you've done so far is order everyone around and boast about how "great and magnificent" you are. We'd love it if you were a little less critical, and a little more helpful!" Rarity snapped. Hessonite glared at the Unicorn briefly, her temper starting to get a little bit harder to handle.

"Don't tell me. You all now want an apology too. Alright." Hessonite cleared her throat. "I'm sorry. There, everything's all fine now."

"What? Hessonite, you didn't even mean that at all," exclaimed Fluttershy.

"I said "I'm sorry", what more do you want? A promotion? Maybe some newly-made weapons?"

"How about COMPASSION! Hessonite, all you've done was complain, insult, and boast: and whenever you did help today it was just to make you look better than the rest of us!" Connie accused. NOW the sword was drawn out.

"You listen, I didn't have to come out here! I could've stayed at Little Homeworld on patrol, I even took the time to train your Peridot for you. But NO, instead I took some time out of my day to help you all out, and THIS is how you thank me? I think you're the ones that need to apologize to me for being so selfish."

Rarity felt the words stab her.

"OH IT IS ON YOU -"

*rustle*

And then the Kirin arrived. Hearing more than enough of the arguing, the group of Kirin villagers were beginning to come out of the foliage and encircling them all, each Kirin looking a bit worried.

"What're they doing?" asked Fluttershy. They soon got their answer though when the Kirin's horns began to glow. Just like the aura from any Unicorn, the Kirin's combined aura circled around most of them and they soon found themselves floating above the ground, being carried off by the Kirin.

"Whoa whoa HEY! What're you doing, put me down!" Hessonite demanded, but the Kirin didn't actually listen to any of them. Each of the Kirin acted as if they weren't talking anymore, at the least being worried about the group.

"They must've gotten worried because we were arguing with eachother!" Fluttershy said.

"You mean you were arguing with me," retorted Hessonite, "This wouldn't have ever happened if -"
They were quieted down when the Kirin went from a walk to a trot, speeding up wherever they were going.

"Hessonite, you're making things worse!" Rarity said, before trying to talk to the Kirin and added, "W-We're just having a civil disagreement, I swear. No need to kick us out of your village."

"That's not where they're going," gulped Connie.

And no doubt she was right. As they all were lifted along over the next hill, they began to see a eerily familiar stream flowing through the forest. It looked like any other river in the mountains, but that did not make Connie feel any better.

"They're dumping us in a river?" asked Amethyst, straining while being held.

"The Stream of Silence. If we end up in there, we won't be able to talk or feel anything again!" Connie revealed in horror.

"WHAT?! Stupid Kirin!" Amethyst shouted. But again, it wasn't working and the Kirin kept walking towards the stream. All the shouting and arguing told all of them that they were dangerous (in a different way than just fighting) and they couldn't have that. Pearl and Star weren't able to reach them thanks to the Kirin keeping them away, Pearl looking more and more freaked out about everything. Nothing was going to change their mind.
Nearby, Rain Shine, Twilight, and Akira just managed to catch up to the Kirin group, seeing them just in time to find them hovering Twilight's friends over the surface of the water.

"They've already made it," gasped Akira. Just before any of them could go in to stop them -

"PUT THEM DOWN!"

A voice as fiery as it was demonic echoed throughout the area of the forest, stopping everything and everyone by the Stream of Silence in their cleansing.
It took them even less time to find the Nirik. The creature enraged by what it saw, standing just by the path they took to get there. Fire scorched its back, teeth dagger'd and snarling, and fire-covered hooves digging into the ground like a bull. The other Kirin looked startled seeing the animal, and grew only more startled when it suddenly charged right for them all at full speed! The Kirin dropped the others just by the bank of the river, the Nirik heading straight towards them without hesitating an inch.

"My Connie!!" gasped Pearl, getting out her weapon. By the time she did though, she looked back just in time to see the Nirik set its own trail on fire with its tail, racing in a circle around all of them standing there. Connie and Pearl looked eye to eye for just a brief second, before Pearl saw her master get engulfed in flames. It was enough to shake her to her core.
As for everyone else inside the ring of fire, a lot of them were either ready for a fight or were freaking out (a white unicorn screaming herself silly), but Connie had a good look at that Nirik.

"Finally some action! INCOMING AME -"

"Amethyst wait, I think I know this one. And she's trying to help," Connie said, grabbing Amethyst before she could go whole hog on the Nirik. Speaking of which, the Nirik walked through the burning flames ... just to de-flame herself back into a Kirin.

"Of course. I wouldn't want them to silence the ONLY people who'll talk to me," said Autumn Blaze, as it turned out.

"Wait a minute. ... You found the talking Kirin? By yourself?" Hess asked.

"It's more like she found me," Connie admitted, "Everyone, meet Autumn Blaze."
Autumn extended a hoof in friendship, but she had to blow off some of the fire on her hoof first before anyone would shake it.

"It's nice to meet you, Autumn Blaze. But I thought Nirik's were savage violent creatures. But you don't look so savage," Fluttershy said.

"OOHH, right, right, well see the Kirin are the Nirik! We just turn into them when we get all riled up," Autumn explained. Suddenly that explained why they didn't see any just yet.

"... Huh," said Amethyst.

"So then, how'd you know you could control your temper?" Rarity asked. Autumn actually had to stop and think as the flames around them began to calm down.

"You know, I didn't. But then again, anger is like other emotions: it's not about having them, it's what you do with them," Autumn answered, using her tail to fan a small bit of flame away after she calmed down.

"And giving up all your emotions because you don't want one isn't the way to go," added Connie.
Once all the fire was quenched, and everything seemingly calmed down, they all looked back over to the crowd. The Kirin were left puzzled, but there was the more prominent sound of whimpering from Pearl that they all picked up on. Pearl was literally huddled up on the ground, shivering and whimpering.

"Pearl! Pearl are you okay?" Connie asked. Pearl didn't look hurt, but when she looked to Connie, she looked like she was about to break down into tears.

"WAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!" Pearl threw herself at Connie, crying her eyes out like crazy, as if she wasn't in control of her own tears. Star Quartz helped her off of Connie, albeit pulling her up by the back of her collar.

"I'll help her home if that's okay," Star said.

"Thanks," Connie replied. As Star walked off with Pearl to help her calm down, Autumn Blaze looked to the rest of the Kirin.

"Fern Flare, you used to love to laugh at everything. And Rain Shine, you sung the most beautiful harmonies. Don't you miss it?" Autumn asked. The Kirin pointed out by Autumn Blaze started to feel a little uneasy, but they could tell that they do miss those days that they could do any of those things. In fact, many of the silent Kirin were starting to wonder if being silent was actually a good idea or not.

"I know you're afraid to get mad at eachother, but that doesn't mean you should give up what makes you happy to keep that from happening. Everyone can disagree about something without getting in a fight, and even if you end up getting very mad, just go somewhere and be a Nirik where it won't hurt anyone," Connie explained.

The Kirin looked to one another before one of the Kirin started walking over to them. It couldn't talk of course, but it did have something it was trying to make out, a few hoof movements with some motions of the head. 

"I think they're trying to say something," said Amethyst. The Kirin kept pointing to its mouth, and then spreading its front hooves out like water from a fountain or something. Hessonite, in spite of everything, just wanted this done now.

"Akira, please tell us what language is this Kirin speaking," Hessonite asked.

"Charades," Akira answered.

"Ok, are you hungry?" Rarity asked. The Kirin just kept going with the gestures, so that wasn't it.

"... Oh no, some Kirin trapped in a well?" Autumn asked.

"The heck'd you get that outta it?" Amethyst asked. Again that wasn't the answer (obviously) and the Kirin kept going.

"Ok ok uhh ... Okay, "baby". "Baby fish". "Ba" - "Ba" - No. "Baby fish mouth"? Something - anything? Just write it down - UGH this is making me furious," Autumn said, her eyes suddenly turning white as fire started to come out. The Kirin took a step back away from her, worried a Nirik was gonna just rush in and fight, but instead Autumn Blaze tried to keep a level head.

"Excuse me ... I'll be right back."

Autumn trotted over to behind a rock and ...

"GAAAAHHH!"

She walked out, slightly smoking but much better.

"You were saying," Autumn Blaze said. The Kirin walked up to her, and all it did now was touch Autumn Blaze's snout with her hoof, opened its muzzle and gestured like it was scooping something into it. Just like that it clicked together.

"OOHH you want the cure for the Stream of Silence!" Autumn concluded. The Kirin nodded along with the rest of Autumn's village. Autumn smiled, but she and Connie felt a bit bittersweet about it.

"That's wonderful! ... Isn't it?" asked Fluttershy.

"It would be, except there's not any Foal's Breath left to make the cure," Connie replied.

"Foal's Breath? I never heard of that."

"I have," Akira said, stepping into the picture on hearing the flower's name. "It's a native flower that only ever grows in these Peaks. Though ... by the sound of it that should be "only ever grew in these Peaks"."

"Are you sure there's none left?" Rarity asked.

"Oh beyond sure," Autumn replied. Take it from a Kirin who's been alone for many years, that wasn't any lie Autumn was gonna shoot out.

Suddenly Hessonite stepped in, her stomp shaking up the ground a little.

"So let me see if I understand. We've spent the entire day here, trying to locate the cure, any cure, out of any of you. And now you got the nerve to tell me that there isn't even any left?" Hessonite demanded, fuming as she drew out her sword.

"Don't do this, Hessonite!" Connie said, hand spread and trying to protect the village as the others joined her.

"Why not?! They just tried to silence me of all Gems in that stream, and NOW there's not even a cure to speak of? This was all for nothing!"

"NO it's not! Now let's just calm down, and look for the Foal's Breath -"

"That apparently doesn't even exist anymore. And anyway, what good would a plant do? Flora life doesn't even do anything besides just sit there and do nothing!" Hessonite retorted.

*squeak**squeak*

Saved by a squirrel. The furry animal hopped out of the bushes nearby just before anything could get any worse. It had overheard the whole conversation, and started chatting away in squirrel language. None of them speak squirrel, but when Fluttershy heard it, she lit up.

"You know where there's more Foal's Breath?" Fluttershy gasped.

"Huh? Really?! No way, where is it?" Autumn gasped.

Talk about a convenient save. The Squirrel knew exactly where to go, and once they were convinced to follow, the Squirrel started off just a little bit of ways. Fluttershy galloped off after the squirrel, and it only took a few more minutes before both the Pegasus and the Squirrel came back to them.
Wouldn't you know it too: there they got the flowers!

"That's what Foal's Breath looks like?!" Rarity gasped.

It was the same flowers Fluttershy gave the squirrels when they first arrived in the Peaks of Peril! The Squirrel must've brought some back as a sort of "thank you" to Fluttershy for the help. Akira went right over and took just one look.

"Those are them! I should've recognized them when we first got here," Akira admitted, feeling very dumb to not think of the connection quicker.

"Oh my, you ACTUALLY found them! Where were they?! Tell me everything, and feel free to add complicated descriptions and comedic tangents!" Autumn beamed.

...

"Oh. Right. First things first."

Hessonite ... kinda stood there. Frozen. Blank-faced enough to just drop her sword. 

"Did ... D-Did a Squirrel just do my job?" Hessonite thought.


~~~~~~


Every single person there went right back to the Kirin Village post haste, the Foal's Breath in hoof and just enough of it to make the cure work. Autumn Blaze, who waited so long for this day to come, was the one that levitated the flowers and did the honor of making the cure happen. Giving a smile to everyone in her village and the others that helped out, she simply tossed the flowers into the fountain at the center of town. Like dust, the flowers disappeared into the water, adding just a bit more tint of blue to the pond. The Kirin didn't hesitate for a second. Once the flowers got into the water, each one of the Kirin including Rain Shine went right over to it and bent down to take a drink. The water was cool, and soothing to the throat, as the others waited on baited breath for the end result.
That end result came like lightning: just seconds after they all took the drink, suddenly voices rang out from the crowd from each and every Kirin. Talking, chatting, even singing and cheering! After so many years of being quiet and now they got their voices again. Everyone felt pretty good with themselves.

"Okay, Twilight, your turn. You've been very patient," Rarity said, urging Twilight to go forward. Twilight raced right over to the water, and after a bit of looking to her reflection, she took her drink. Her sore raspy throat soothed and cooled with the magical water. There was only one way to find out if it even worked.

"ssssss ... sssssshhhhiiii ... hhhiii ... hi? HI? I ... It ... It worked. It WORKED! I'm all better! I CAN FINALLY TALK AGAIN!" Twilight exclaimed, hopping like a filly as she finally was given her voice again. The others smiled to Twilight, and the Alicorn went right over and hugged her friends.

"Oh thank you thank you thank you THANK YOU! I knew I could count on all of you! Oh the things I wanted to say but couldn't because of those spores."

"Really relatable, am I right?" said Autumn Blaze. Speaking of which, Rain Shine, now cured of her silence, walked over to Autumn Blaze and company.

"Autumn Blaze," said Rain Shine, "you have given us a gift. The realization that anger is within us, but it is our choice how we let it out. We would very much like it if you came back to live with us. I can't say how much we've missed your beautiful voice."

"She even talks like her," Twilight thought ... or she thought she thought.

"Like who?" Autumn Blaze asked.

"Huh? OH, sorry. Been in my head too long, it kinda came out, you know how it is," Twilight said, blushing. THANK STARS she could actually say it instead of charade it. Speaking of which, Twilight and Rain Shine had a bit of an odd moment. Twilight for the first time in who knows how long cleared her throat.

"Before anything else happens, I'm sorry for making things awkward, and wrecked a stand with a bowling ball," Twilight said, lowering her head. Rain Shine just brought Twilight's gaze up to her.

"You have no need to apologize, Twilight Sparkle. You have had a lot of burden on your shoulders, but I can see that you have all the help you need right there," Rain Shine said, pointing over to her friends standing nearby. All Twilight did was smile. How could she be wrong about that? Twilight went back over to her friends, Akira and Rain Shine sharing a smile themselves. Not only the princess, but the whole civilization of Kirin of the Peaks of Peril now were given back their voices.

Mission accomplished.