Terraria: Friendship Is Magic

by Pomp-Neigh


Chapter 119 - Samyueru.

-TERRARIA, THE GLOWING MUSHROOM BIOME-

The group were currently being led by Shroom towards what was all too apparent to be an underground settlement, within the biome of glowing mushrooms. As they drew near, everyone began to see small truffles playing on the outskirts of the settlement, all while older individuals, of which were light-blue in coloration, watched over them. Shroom reveals that these truffles were in fact their species females and were the various mothers of the youngsters as he also goes on to say:

“Mother truffles is dangerous. Do not threaten mother truffle’s young, less mother truffle destroy you.”

“Yeah, um, no need to worry about that with me,” Jeremy The Angler responds with a nervous expression. “Especially since your females look like they could rip me apart.”

“You’re a pretty rude person, you know that?” Terralestia inquires with a raised brow. The Angler simply shrugs before saying:

“Eh, I’m just brutally honest.”

………. 

A few more moments passed by as the group now entered the town, which was appropriately named: Mushroom Village. Its various structures were composed entirely of mushroom forged components. In addition, various homes looked as if a truffle simply burrowed into a large mushroom and plopped down a door to form the entrance. Incidentally, the door was also made entirely of mushroom components.

Various onlookers watched curiously as Shroom led the group through the lively village. However, what was most notable is the fact that each and every truffle seemed to let loose a sort of gasp, but one that was forged from familiarity. As if they finally saw something that they haven’t seen in an era. This was, however, all too accurate as this was aimed towards two members of the group: The ponies. 

The denizens of Mushroom Village even starts to speak in their native tongues, but one word easily stood out:

“Eghfg df pony.”

“Pony gfd eh sdfg, pony?”

“Pony! Ehg aqw bnfini, Harmony.”

“Latu defgh awry Shroom legu te pony.”  

All members of the passing group, aside from Shroom, were simply baffled by this seemingly ancient language. Or at least it was a language that was exclusive to the truffles. Hearing the word: Pony, and noticing the truffles’s gazes being focused on them, Applejack leans into Rainbow Dash and questions:

“Hey, uh, Rainbow?”

“Y-yeah?”

“Is it just me or are these truffles lookin’ at us.”

“No, they’re definitely looking at us,” Rainbow Dash responds as she looks all around the group, turning her head to and fro. She then awkwardly waves a forehoof towards them and says: “H-hey there every, um… everytruffle?”

Rainbow Dash was certainly shocked by what happens next as many of the truffles started to wave back in response.

“I guess Shroom was right,” Tanner The Guide comments as he walks closer to both Rainbow Dash and Applejack. “He mentioned that truffles and ponies were friendly to one another. I get the impression that these truffles are taking a liking to you two. I mean, they’re curious about the rest of us, but you guys are a little different.”

“We almost there, surface dwellers,” Shroom states as The Truffle then interacts with various individuals, all while he continues to guide the group towards a very specific location. “Shroom take you to History Mushroom, then Shroom take you to giant crab and bad surface dwellers.”

“We thank you very much for you and your fellow truffles’s hospitality, Shroom.” King Amidias comments with a slight bow all while his men continue to float alongside him with stoic expressions.

During the entire venture through the town, Echo Silhouette continues to take in his surroundings as the humanoid changeling couldn’t help but feel sympathetic towards these entities. Going off of Shroom’s words, the humanoid changeling could only imagine what The Brotherhood Of The Crab had no doubt done to these seemingly peaceful beings, despite their appearances. It all reminded him of the actions done to his own kind; from The Jungle Tyrant himself, Yharim. 

Pushing these thoughts aside for the time being, Echo continues onward as Shroom then declares to the entire group:

“There History Mushroom, surface dwellers.”

……….

The group now found themselves before what was easily the largest structure in Mushroom Village. However, it differentiated itself as the entrance seemed to be created over the mouth of a cavern. In essence, It was as if the truffles had placed one of their mushroom composed houses directly in front of a cave entrance; thus merging the two together into a singularity.

Two large male truffle individuals were currently positioned on either side of the structure’s entrance, which was in the form of two large, mushroom composed, double doors. These truffles were obviously acting as guards and were even larger than Shroom himself, as they in turn reached heights of twelve feet, two feet taller than the group’s very own guide. 

“Sweet Celestia,” Applejack comments with a face of disbelief. “That there are some big ol’ truffles.”

“No kidding,” Rainbow Dash responds with a matching expression. “And here I thought Shroom was big enough.”

One of the large truffles raises its hand into the air which causes a wall of mushrooms to block the entrance to, what the truffles call, History Mushroom. The conversation that follows was spoken in their native tongue as Shroom and both of the guards started to converse.

“Pehj stfgh, Shroom.” The guard on the right comments.

“Shroom degm ons History Mushroom. Sgh fghj wadgh,” Shroom then turns around and points at both Applejack and Rainbow Dash. “Pony.”

Following Shroom’s gesture, both of the guards seemed to be shocked upon seeing the two ponies as the guard on the right says:

“Pony?! Asgb deghf, Harmony?” Shroom returns his gaze back towards the duo and responds:

“Harmony no swed bgfh… igh pony, gahs wsgh: Crabulon.”

The two guards both punches the ground in unison at the mention of that name as they both exclaims in anger:

“Crabulon!” Shroom in turn also imitates the action as he punches the ground with such powerful force; even causing members of the group to sweat nervously, as he also exclaims:

“Crabulon!”

The two guards then nods in response, following their recent action, as the very same guard who summoned the wall of mushrooms raises its hand once more and removes the barrier of fungi. They then turn sideways and beckons for them all to enter.

Shroom then turns around, seeing a group with faces of absolute shock and awe, and comments: 

“Shroom convince them you help truffles. They allow Shroom to lead you inside,” The large truffle then turns forward once more and continues: “Come, Shroom has much to show. Then, we go destroy Crabulon and bad surface dwellers.”

Heeding to his request, the rest of the group starts to follow Shroom into the structure as they each enter one by one, walking in between and passing the two large truffle guards. 

Both Sai Sahan and Terralestia enter with expressions of wonder, even waving at the two guards as they pass by. 

Jeremy The Angler was shaking nervously as he walked past the two large behemoths; praying that he doesn’t somehow insult them and get torn apart. King Amidias simply laughs at The Angler’s obvious plight as he and his guardsmen follow close behind. 

Tanner The Guide gives the duo a thumbs up as he passes by although one of the guards turns towards The Guide as he walks away. The guard’s singular eye narrows itself for a moment before the entity then returns its gaze forwards.

It was now Echo Silhouette’s turn to pass but upon doing so, the guard on the right seemed to take on a face of familiarity as it says:

“Changeling.” This of course shocks Echo and stops him dead in his tracks, not to mention the two ponies behind him, as the humanoid changeling had assumed that he did something wrong. Then, the large truffle raises its hand towards the cap portion of its head and breaks off a glowing mushroom. He then offers the mushroom towards Echo, who in turn questions:

“W-wait… you want me to… have this?” The truffle nods in response. 

Echo then takes the glowing mushroom into his right hand and what happens next absolutely dumbfounds him. The glowing energy of the mushroom starts to be absorbed into the changeling. The once glowing fungi was now comparable to any other normal mushroom as it lost its vibrant glow. However, Echo’s body was starting to glow in response as the changeling goes on to comment:

“T-this feels… great. It’s almost as if I just ate the love of three separate entities.”

“You help Shroom beat Crabulon. You be stronger.” The guard comments to which Echo smirks and nods in response. The humanoid changeling had so many questions. The most notable being Echo wondering just how these truffles knew how to do that. He was certain that he’d soon get answers within this structure or at the very least, Echo could always try to inquire Anubis about this action. 

The humanoid changeling enters the structure and it is now both Rainbow Dash and Applejack's turn to pass. Upon drawing closer, what happens next absolutely shocks the duo as the two guards actually lower themselves and pats each individual pony on the head. The two ponies didn't know how to react as they were simply dumbfounded by this action. It wasn’t exactly unpleasant, nor was it painful in any way, it was simply unusual.

The guards remove their hands after petting the ponies as Applejack comments:

“I, uh, appreciate that, partner.” The cowmare then waves with a nervous smile as she enters the structure.

“That was, uhm, weird. But you guys seem pretty cool.” Rainbow Dash compliments as she salutes to the duo with a forehoof and flies after Applejack, thus entering the structure as well.

……….

Now within History Mushroom, with Shroom still in the lead, the group could see that their earlier assessment was indeed true. They found themselves within a cavern but what was most interesting was the fact that etched onto the cavern walls were various images. Much like Anubis’s pyramid, albeit a bit more primal, there were depictions of what one could best surmise to be past events. However, these images had something in common, a repeating trope: Each and every one of them always contained a pony, one of every type.

“Whoah, what the hay happened here?” Rainbow Dash questions in amazement. “Each and every drawing has a pony, but it looks like the truffles are helping us. Look, that one has some foals playing with a truffle.”

“Ah’ don’t know, R.D.” Applejack responds with equal astonishment. “But ah’ guess it’s a good thing that we seem to be good friends.”

“Wall show history of truffles and ponies,” Shroom comments as he goes on to monologue the various images on the walls, like a tour guide within a museum. “Every drawing comes from a truffle, and pony. Long ago, Harmony need help with teaching earth pony to survive. Truffles owe Harmony debt so we teach earth pony how to connect with earth.”

“Wait a second, so you’re saying that earth ponies were in some sort of danger?” Applejack inquires.

“Harmony say that earth pony no have power like flying pony and magic pony. Harmony fear earth pony safety so we teach earth pony to be empowered by earth. Now, earth pony might is strongest of three. Earth pony crush rock and grow food better than flying pony and magic pony.”

“Ah’ be darned, so what you were telling us before was nothin’ but the truth. Not that ah’ doubted ya’ or thought that your were lyin’, of course. Ah’ am The Element Of Honesty after all.”

Shroom lets loose a rumble before he responds:

“We live together on surface for long time. Glowing Mushroom Biome not always underground. It once exist on surface. However, monster attack and we try to defend ponies. We no choice, we all flee underground,” The Truffle then takes on what one could tell to be a saddened expression as he then says: “However, monster kill pony friends. They not strong like truffle and monster kill them. We sad for lost friends.”

This causes the group’s eyes to widen in shock as King Amidias comments:

“You have my sincere condolences, Shroom.”

With a saddened tone and a matching expression, Applejack states:

“So… that’s why y’all were surprised to see us down here. We remind ya’ of yer’ friends that y’all lost,” Applejack then takes of her hat and holds it to her chest. “Ah’m mighty sorry for yer’ lost.”

“Buck,” Rainbow Dash mutters with shock. “What kind of monster could do that? Oh, wait, let me guess… is this bucker’s name: Yharim?”

Terralestia grunts in disgust all while Sai Sahan growls upon the mention of The Jungle Tyrant. Even Amidias and his fellow seafolk were disgusted by that name as The Sea King comments in a lowered tone:

“My trident will find your head for what you did to my former kingdom. You ordered that witch to scorch my sea with hellfire and reduced it to a desert wasteland.” 

“No, truffle don’t know that name,” Shroom responds, which catches everyone off guard as they were expecting the aforementioned tyrant to be the cause. “Monster was different, giant lizard with seven heads. Lizard shoot death from many mouths.”

“What in tarnation? That sounds like some kind ah’ messed up hydra.” Applejack comments.

Suddenly, Echo Silhouette’s features become horrified as he recalls something that matches Shroom’s description. 

“N-no… please don’t be that creature.” Echo says with fear seeped into his voice.

“What’s wrong, Echo?” King Amidias inquires.

“M-my mother… She told me stories of that creature. A being of seven heads, so strong that even gods feared it.” However, before Echo could go any further, the group now found themselves mere moments from entering a large chamber within the cavern. 

Upon entering, their eyes widened in absolute horror as they saw a very large image etched onto the entire chamber’s walls and ceiling which seemed to portray the scenario that Shroom had referred to earlier. 

Rainbow Dash and Applejack in particular were mortified as they saw ponies in the image running for dear life, others were even drawn laying dead on the ground. Truffles could be seen trying to defend the ponies as best they could. One image in particular caused Applejack to close her eyes and turn away as it portrayed a pegasus mare who sacrificed herself in order to save her foal, the foal in turn was being cradled by a truffle who seemed to be carrying it away to safety.

Many horrible events were depicted in this large image but one thing stood out most, the very same thing that induced all of this carnage and mayhem: A seven headed entity who seemed to be enjoying every last second of this event. The middle head was drawn to be laughing throughout the entire scenario all while the other six heads were firing off projectiles and eating various individuals, both truffle and pony alike.

“That monster who killed truffle friends. Monster enjoy our suffering.” Shroom comments as Echo Silhouette walks towards the front of the group, and soon finds himself standing right next to Shroom as the humanoid changeling says:

“It’s just like my mother said… Yamata, the devil with seven heads.”


-TERRARIA, THE CRIMSON BIOME-

Having escaped from the monsters of the flesh and heading towards their current objective, Twilight was currently flying high in the crimson colored skies as she then seems to spot something in the distance. She lowers herself to the earth and was soon flying alongside both Celebes and Linn, who were mounted on their horses, along with Tori who continues to keep up by running alongside the horses with their arms hanging backwards in a sort of V formation.

“I see the giant hole nearby!” Twilight exclaims which causes Linn to snicker and comment:

“That statement is hilarious without context.” This in turn causes Twilight to take on a deadpan expression as she responds:

“You’re almost as bad as Rainbow Dash.”

Celebes The Dryad simply turns her head left to right in response as she comments:

“Innuendos aside, Linn, I’m glad to hear that, Twilight,” The Dryad then turns towards Tori and says: “Go on ahead and scope things out for us, we’ll be there momentarily.” The kenku nods in response as Tori then lets out a:

“Hummf!”

[WHOOSH]

In one swift motion and leaving behind a gush of wind, Tori rushes forth with lightning speed in a fashion similar to Pinkie Pie’s ‘blurs’, minus the pink coloration which was instead red thanks to Tori’s current attire.

……….

Tori was now positioned before a large shaft which looked as if someone had dug a hole into the flesh covered earth itself. Seeing as the coast was clear, the kenku was about to establish a perimeter before the humanoid bird could suddenly feel a presence, one that instantly widens the kenku’s eyes before they then close soon after as Tori recollects their composure.

“I see you have sensed my arrival, Tori.” A new voice comments but what was most foreboding about it was that fact that it sounded a lot like Yharim’s voice. However, at the same time, this wasn’t Yharim at all as another kenku suddenly appears behind Tori. “I trust you haven’t forgotten your own father, my child.”

With absolute hatred in Tori’s voice, the kenku imitates Twilight’s voice and responds:

“Samyueru,” Tori then turns around and faces their father. “This biome of sin is now the seven circles of The Underworld with your presence alone, coward.”

“You will show me respect, boy. I am the destroyer of Torinago!”

“No, Yharim destroyed Torinago due to our kind being immune to mind control. You sided with him to save your own sorry feathers!”

“Despite your disrespect,” Samyueru responds as he then extends a hand out towards Tori and continues: “I offer you one final chance, Tori. Come with me and serve a higher purpose.”

Tori simply spits onto the crimson floor in disgust before saying:

“I’d rather pluck my feathers out before I ever consider coming with you. However, I’m partially glad you’re here,” Tori then takes on a combat stance. “Because now I shall behead you for what you’ve done. You are my prey, nothing more.”

“And you are a mistake that I shall soon correct!” Samyueru roars out as the two ninjas run towards each other in a V pose before vanishing in thin air. They then re-emerge in the sky as they engage in close quarters combat all while slowly falling down towards the flesh covered earth below.

Every strike and attack they made were calculated. For every kick Samyueru would unleash upon Tori, Tori in turn would also let loose their own kick which resulted in their appendages colliding with each other, sending out a small force of wind as a result.

The two kenkus would continue to match each other blow for blow before they each kicked off each other mere moments before they landed onto the crimson earth. Upon landing, they each gracefully landed on a single leg as they posed in a crane like fighting style. In tandem, they each lowered the other leg while raising the leg that they landed on at first while also transitioning their arms current fighting pose.

The two kenkus then conjure forth their own blades, as they then hold the blades in various stances. The two start to circle each other before kicking off and spiraling towards their opponent.

[CLANK]

[SHLINK]

[CLANK]

[SHLINK]

The clashing of blades echoes out throughout the flesh covered landscape as the two kenku ninja zooms around the large shaft that laid before them. Then, currently positioned on either side of the hole, the two jumps towards each other high into the air, positioned just over the shaft, and clashes their blades together as Samyueru comments with Yharim’s voice still in effect:

“So what’s your plan, my child? Two evenly matched ninjas trapped together in an endless struggle?” 

“No, I’m waiting for the lavender wings of friendship to come crashing down upon you.” Tori responds with a smirk.

“What?” Samyueru inquires in confusion before a lavender colored beam of energy collides with him, sending the kenku flying towards the opposite side of the hole.

“I’m coming, Tori!” Twilight roars out as she flaps her wings with all due haste.

During this time, Samyueru manages to recover on the opposite side of the chasm, albeit with a fairly large batch of burnt feathers thanks to Twilight’s attack. The kenku then looks up towards Tori, who looked down upon him from high above, and exclaims:

“Our story is just beginning, my child! The next time we meet, you will not have allies to help you and I shall claim your head!”

“You will try!” Tori replies as the kenku sends their weapon away. “But like today, and like back in Torinago… you will always fail! For you are nothing but a coward! Yharim’s plaything!”

“Speak while you still can! I shall gut you like the turkey you are!” Samyueru roars out as he then brings forth a smoke bomb that was etched onto his current attire. “I’ll see you soon, Tori!” He then slams it into the ground, thus disappearing without a trace. 

Finally reaching the kenku, Twilight questions:

“Tori! Are you alright? Who was that other bird-”

“Kenku.” Tori responds with Twilight’s voice still in effect.

“I’m sorry?” Twilight questions in response with a tilted head.

“Kenku, my kind’s species.”

Upon hearing this, Twilight’s eyes were starting to fill with stars as she enthusiastically says:

“Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh, that’s your species name?! You must tell me more about-”

“No.” Tori interjects simply as the kenku pats Twilight’s head before returning to the crimson ground, where both Linn and Celebes were currently positioned on their horses, as they finally managed to catch up.

This leaves behind a pouting Twilight who exclaims:

“Awww, but we were making progress!”

However, even after the conclusion of the battle, Tori was still left to ponder on one thing as the kenku couldn’t shake the feeling that Samyueru was here for an entirely different reason, and that fighting Tori was just a bonus.

One thing was for sure, Tori would need to stay attentive for the remainder of the group's journey to find a Crimson Altar. If Samyueru was involved, Tori knew... it wouldn't be good.