//------------------------------// // Chapter 59 - Cthorator Aftermath. // Story: Terraria: Friendship Is Magic // by Pomp-Neigh //------------------------------// A few hours have passed after the battle with Cthorator. Sai Sahan, in addition to Tanner The Guide, saw fit to establish an encampment during that time in order to effectively tend to wounded adventurers and to start the beginning of their next operation. They wanted to achieve what they came here to do: To harvest and create equipment from The Crimson Biome in addition to using the materials they were given upon the death of the abomination: Cthorator. And, of course, to claim the next blade that the ponies need: The Bloodbutcher. Within a tent that was noticeably white in coloration along with a red cross present on each side of the makeshift shelter, the unconscious form of Fluttershy was laid upon a bed. All the while, the shy pegasus’s closest friends, both from Equus and Terraria, were gathered around her paying their respects and hoping for her swift recovery. This consisted of Ritsu, Princess Pinkie, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Twilight. Helena The Nurse is also present as she is tending to those who were wounded from the battle. A few more moments goes by as Fluttershy’s eyes were slowly starting to open and she lets out a soft moan before saying: “Wha... What happened?... Everything went black after-” “Fluttershy!”, Her friends and loved ones shouts in unison as they recovered from their shocked state and were relieved to see her finally coming to. This causes the yellow pegasus to get up completely and then sits on her flank while positioned on the bed. She then says: “Oh my, you’re all ok. Thank goodness... Who was it that saved us?, oh dear... Is that monster, um, still out there?”, This causes everyone present, aside from a certain slime, to take on confused expressions. Rainbow Dash in particular blinks her eyes twice and question’s: “Wait, Flutters... Don’t you remember anything you did?” “Well, no... Um, did I do something?. Oh!, wait as second, did The Slime Staff activate itself to protect me again?.” “F-Fluttershy, this was waaaay different than any other time the staff activated itself to protect you.”, Ritsu interjects. “What you did is perhaps the second most incredible and absolutely craziest thing I’ve ever seen.” “Yeah Fluttershy!, that was absolutely amazing!. You were like: ‘I am the Avatar.’ and that big ol’ meanie was like: ‘Grrrr, I’m the crazy tentacle monster!”, Pinkie Pie exclaims as she then hops in place happily. Suddenly, Princess Pinkie hops onto the bed and joins in as she says: ”Everyone, I would like to take the initiative and explain these recent events. However... You might become mad at me, Goddess Fluttershy.”, The Slime Princess’s words momentarily stuns everyone present which causes the aforementioned pegasus to question: “What do you mean?. You and The Slime Staff saved me again, it saved everyone. How could I ever be mad at you?.” ”You don’t know about how this recent change has truly effected you. I’m soo sorry, I just didn’t want you to die.” “W-what do you mean by, change?”, Fluttershy question’s. “Die?!”, Everyone else shouts in unison. ”Yes, well, first thing’s first: I would like for you to look at your cutie mark, Goddess Fluttershy.”, Adhering to the slime’s request, Fluttershy turns her head and goes to inspect her cutie mark which causes her eyes to shoot wide open and exclaims: “Oh my gosh!, wh... What is that?!” ”That, is the Core Of The Slime Gods. The gods themselves heard my prayer and saved you, they saved all of us in fact. Crimulan and Ebonian empowered your body thus turning you into their Avatar, the bearer of their core. One could even say: You are the core now, Fluttershy.” Everyone simply stares on in shock upon hearing this revelation. However, Rainbow Dash then smiles brightly and question’s: “Why would Fluttershy get mad a that?. Hay, that sounds awesome!. She’s got the core of literal slime gods watching over her now.” “I have to agree with Rainbow Dash. In fact, as a Princess Of Equestria, I would like to officially thank you on our behalf.”, Twilight says as she then kneels before the slime Princess before she continues: “You and your fellow slimes, especially your slime gods, have saved one of my dearest friends. I... I don’t know how any of us could ever handle losing her like that.” “Darn tootin!, you and yer’ slime gods are fine in ma’ book. Ah’ witnessed first hoof the length’s y’all would go to save Fluttershy and ah’ appreciate every one of ya.”, Applejack interjects. ”Thank you everyone, I truly am grateful for your kind words. However, there’s something I must confess before we go any further.”, The Slime Princesses words causes everyone to listen attentively which prompts her to continue: ”To respond to Ritsu’s earlier comment, this is indeed much different in comparison to any other time the staff was activated.”, Princess Pinkie then pauses momentarily as she sighs sadly and says: “You were on the border of life and death, Fluttershy. Had I not called upon the gods to save you... You’d be dead.” These words causes everyone to gasp in shock before Pinkie Pie exclaims with a raised front hoof: “Objection!”, The pink pony was also wearing what seemed to be a suit and tie before she then tears it off, much to everyone’s confusion, and continues: “I thought the staff activates itself in order to save Fluttershy’s life?, Isn’t that what happened here?.” ”It wasn’t exactly the staff, not this time. This was purely done by The Slime Gods themselves, the staff is an extension of their will but It does not contain all of their power.” “I still don’t get it.”, Pinkie Pie replies as she sits on her flank and raises her front hooves in confusion. “I do.”, Twilight interjects which causes everyone present to turn their gaze towards the alicorn. “The staff simply wasn’t strong enough to save her this time, that’s what the slime Princess means by it not having all of their power. There’d be no point in summoning a slime army since they’d get beaten just as easily as we all were. Therefore, since the staff acts as the will of The Slime Gods, they heard Princess Pinkie’s prayer through the staff and acted accordingly.”, Twilight’s assessment causes various eyes to widen in realization from those among them. ”That is correct, Princess Twilight.”, The slime Princess replies before she hops onto Fluttershy, the pegasus still staring on in shock, and continues: ”Fluttershy, the gods preserved your life and as a result: You became the bearer of their core.” “Oh Princess Pinkie, I... I don’t know how to express how thankful I-” ”There’s one more thing, Fluttershy... What I am about to reveal is why I fear you’ll be mad at me. I just want you to know that I only did it to save you from death, I just wanted to save my friend.”, Princess Pinkie interjects which causes the shy pegasus, in addition to those around her, to take on a confused expression. “What?”, Fluttershy question’s. ”As the bearer of the core, well... You actually are the core, your life is now connected to The Slime Gods. You’re immortal, Fluttershy. You will never age from this point forward and your life shall last until the end of all that exists, if any. You can still be killed by physical means but you will never die to old age or any illnesses. I’m soo sorry... My actions has turned you into an immortal without even asking if you’d be ok with it. I just... Didn’t want to watch someone like you, die.” Silence and absolute shock, that was all that remained after everyone hears yet another revelation from the Slime Princess. Fluttershy in particular was absolutely dumbfounded and the only words she could manage to muster in her current state was a simple and shaky: “Oh... Oh, m-my.” Unbeknownst to everyone present, a certain lavender alicorn takes on a saddened expression and says internally: -I know what you’re feeling right now... Fluttershy.- -EQUUS, OUTSKIRTS OF PONYVILLE- A large army comprised entirely of those in The Coalition, a name that the rulers of each species representative agreed upon for the alliance, now stands on the outskirts of the infected town of Ponyville. Like the armies of before, this one was comprised of all those who joined Equestria in the fight against The Corruption which would surly threaten the entire world if left unchecked. Ponies, minotaurs, changelings, zebras, dragons, griffons, hippogriffs, and yaks all made up this unique force. However, unlike their army of the past that was defeated by the infection, this one has two things that will no doubt tip the scales in its favor: The first: Thanks to the dedication of the entire alliance, in addition to Discord’s instructions, they were able to forge weapons and armor made from the ore they harvested in The Everfree Forest. Blades, war hammers, battle axes, bows, and armor customized for every species in attendance were worn and wielded proudly. The second: In addition to these newly crafted weapons and armor, the alicorn Princesses have also brought along a very particular weapon: The Flim-Flam Purification Tower. Incidentally, it was currently being pulled by minotaurs while positioned upon a large reinforced cart. Of course, the two brothers were present as well however there was a certain royal couple who accompanied them: Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor, both of whom were also accompanied by a small battalion of crystal ponies with Tempest Shadow and even Spike present amongst them. After their loss in Ponyville some time ago, The Corruption grew even beyond its former size even consuming Cloudsdale in the event. Everyone experienced nothing but pain and loss as a result, loved ones snatched from them and their homes forever lost in the process. However, they were now equipped to fight back against the monstrous infection. Standing before this large force were some of the leaders and representatives from other nations in addition to The Princess Of The Night: Luna. The dark alicorn turns to the army as she then looks towards her fellow leaders. They nod to her in understanding which prompts her to take a deep breath as she then exclaims in her Canterlot Voice: ”HEAR US!, THY BRAVE WARRIORS AND SOLDIERS!”, Luna’s exclamation instantly gains the attention of the large force standing before her. Many among the species who could fly did so and floated just above the ground forces as they all listen attentively to the alicorn’s words. “The time hath cometh to strike back against this putrid infection!, to strike back against that which has taken soo much from those of us who call these lands our home!. However, we hath not forgotten about thy fellow neighboring nations who hath sent us aid and their support in this time of war. For this, thou hath our eternal gratitude. That being said, when we look at this army, doth thou know what we see?”, Luna inquires and then pauses for a moment before she continues: “We see not separate species, we see not enemies or foes but brothers and sisters in arms!. We see all of thou who are prepared to defend not just Equestria, but all of the world against The Corruption!. If we don’t stop this plague here and now then it will spread across the world!, its infectious roots draining the life from all lands it dares to touch!. That is why we knoweth without any doubt that we will destroy it all!, we shall purify all that was taken from us before this infection can take even more!.” These words causes various cheers and roars to let loose before Luna and various members of the leader/nation representatives raises their hooves, arms, and other appendages up into the air in order to regain a moment of silence. The army’s exclamations slowly dies down as a result which prompts Luna to continue once more: “Now we ask thou: Art ye ready to destroy our shared foe?!” [STOMP] The army reacts with a unified stomp that echoes throughout the landscape. “Art thou ready to wield thy weapons and perish any who meets thy kiss?!” [STOMP] “What will you do to the monsters who lurks within this unholy biome?!, those who want nothing but to tear us apart!” [STOMP] [STOMP] [STOMP] What happens next is something quite unexpected, and yet, still normal for those who live upon the world of Equus. Everyone present starts to sing with Luna taking the lead: Luna: What can you expect, From these abominations?, Their whole disgusting biome is but a curse. From sin they are bred, They’re only good when dead, They’re vermin, they’re demons and worse. They’re savages!, savages!, - The Army Monsters of corruption!, - Luna. Savages!, savages!, - The Army Drive them from our world!, - Luna Luna: What they want from you and me?!, That is our destruction!, We must sound the drums of war!. Everyone: They’re savages!, savages!, Dirty heartless devils!, Now we sound the drums of war!, Cadence: This is what we feared, This infection is very dangerous, The only thing it wants is suffering and pain. Shining Armor: Beneath their monstrous hides there’s emptiness inside. Flim, Flam, Tempest, and Spike: I wonder if they even bleed? They’re savages!, savages!, - Everyone. Monsters of corruption, - Shining Armor. Savages!, savages!, - Everyone. Killers at the core, - Shining Armor. Shining Armor: They’re merciless to us, They want death and destruction, Cadence: We must sound the drums of war! Everyone: They’re savages!, savages!, First we deal with Ponyville!, Savages!, savages!, Purify The Corruption, Savages!, savages! Then we sound the drums, of, waaaaaaar!