-TERRARIA, THE GLOWING MUSHROOM BIOME-
Having returned to Mushroom Village after Tanner’s failed attempt at her capture, Applejack informs everyone of ‘The Guide’s’ betrayal. In addition and not too long afterwards, both Tori and Echo returned as well but brought with them a very particular third member: ‘Tanner’s’ head. Shockingly, the head was contained within an empty fishbowl with Anubis’s runes etched onto it, which in turn was compliments of Echo Silhouette.
Tori had also informed the group of the events that had transpired within The Crimson Biome via the kenku’s link to their other self, which was currently in Home Town and informing its denizens of ‘Tanner’s’ betrayal. From the discarded note left behind by Samyueru to Twilight’s capture, Tori had revealed the traitorous intent of ‘The Guide’, not to mention their recent battle with the demonic entity.
……….
After those revelations and scenarios, and now positioned within Shroom’s home, the entire group, barring Jeremy The Angler and Shroom who weren’t present, are currently wearing facial expressions of anger, disappointment, and shock as they simply stared at the beheaded entity within the fishbowl; who in turn was currently looking back at them with a condescending expression.
Finally breaking the silence, one member of the group in particular grits her teeth in absolute rage as Rainbow Dash exclaims with extended wings:
“I say we go back to The Sunken Sea and feed this bucker’s head to the serpents!”
“We probably shouldn’t do that… I’d feel bad for the serpents having to eat this thing,” King Amidias responds as The Sea King then floats closer to the table and slams his left hand onto it before shouting: “How could you do this?! You’re The Guide! It is your purpose to help those who want to protect this world from disasters and monstrosities!”
“He ain’t no guide,” Applejack comments as she too draws closer to the table. “He ain’t nothin’ but a snake from The Underworld, ‘member? Ya’ tried to take me, but ya’ underestimated mah’ friends here,” The cowmare points a forehoof towards Tori and Echo. “And now look at ya’... yer’ nothin’ more than a head in a fishbowl. However, there’s one thing ah’ want to know,” The cowmare then shoves her face against the fishbowl with a predatory scowl and exclaims: “How the buck do we get Twilight back?! Ya’ better tell us or-”
“You’ll do what? Hmm? I can see that you’re all trying to be intimidating, but you need to be, well, intimidating.” The beheaded demon comments with a small snicker.
“You bucking-”
“No, Rainbow Dash,” Applejack interjects and stops the cyan pegasus, who was about to slam their right forehoof onto the fishbowl and likely shatter it on impact. “Ah’m angry just like you are, ah’ want Twilight back just as much as yer’ do. However, remember what Tori and Echo said about that there fishbowl with them runes on it.”
“Awww, what’s wrong, little Dashie?” The head antagonizes. “Can’t do whatever you want without mamma Applejack’s approval?”
“Quit tryin’ to provoke her, ya' demon,” Applejack responds with a gesturing forehoof. “Ah’ know yer’ tryin’ to rile us up just to get us to shatter that there fish bowl, and set ya’ free.”
“Wow, I guess the inbred Apple Family isn’t as dumb as I thought,” The head responds before taking on a southern accent and mocking the cowmare: “Well howdy, Applejack. What y’all mad at?” The cowmare growls in response as her anger starts to build up from ‘Tanner’s’ mockery of her family. “It ain’t any good to keep all that tension pent up so why don’t ya’ go find yer’ brother and fuck em’? Assumin’ he and the rest of yer’ inbred family back on Equus ain’t dead that is!”
“Ya’ buckin’ two timin’ snake! Imma’ kill ya’!” Applejack roared out, and was about to do exactly what she stopped Rainbow Dash from doing. However, Echo quickly transforms his right arm into that of a large gorilla’s and captures the enrage cowmare’s forehoof, all while she continues to spew all manner of words towards the beheaded demon in disguise, who was enjoying every second of the pony’s apparent pain.
“Take her outside and let her cool off,” Sai Sahan says as he then leans into Echo Silhouette. “And take her to the edge of Mushroom Village. I don’t want her to come barging in here just to tear ‘Tanner’ apart. We can’t allow him to leave that fishbowl, he’ll just regenerate himself and escape.”
Echo nods in response as the humanoid changeling then starts to leave Shroom’s house, all while applejack continues to squirm in his grasp while shouting:
“Let me at that varmint! Ah’ll buck em’ back to The Underworld real good!”
“Ooooh~ kinky. Don’t go teasing me with a good time, Applejack!” The head exclaims in response.
“I’ll go with them,” Rainbow Dash responds as she then takes one final glance towards the head and continues: “Without A.J being here, I’d probably lose it again if I continue to hear this bucker’s mouth.”
“You cut me deep, Dash… you cut me real deep,” ‘Tanner’ comments before the beheaded entity then laughs momentarily and says: “Hey, Dash! What’s blue and has hair that’s obviously colored after the gay agenda?! You!” The head then goes on to laugh hysterically while the cyan pegasus takes on an angered expression as she makes her way outside. After leaving the house, Rainbow Dash could hear ‘Tanner’s’ final words before they became muffled as she drew away:
“Grow a pair and tell her already! You spineless chicken! If I were in your position, I’d already be giving it to Applejack and making her scream my name!”
……….
“Will you just shut up!” Terralestia exclaims as she finally had enough of the beheaded demon’s words. “Is talking trash all you’re good for? You’re nothing but a head trapped in a fishbowl, a fishbowl!”
“As much as I’d enjoy this worm’s silence, I highly doubt we’ll get what we want.” King Amidias comments.
Finally breaking their silence and getting away from the wall they were leaning on, Tori approaches the table and imitates Samyuesu’s voice; saying:
“We already know your entire plan thanks to the note that was left behind by that coward. Not to mention the fact that my other self is already in Home Town. Everyone there knows of what you’ve done and steps have been taken to keep the remaining ponies safe. Your plan is moot and you have failed.”
The head simply smirks in response; to which Sai Sahan inquires:
“What are you smirking at? You do realize that your plan is soon going to come crashing down, right? All that remains is for us to find a way to retrieve our captured friend.”
“Friends, actually,” Tanner corrects. “We have two of your friends captured at the moment. All we need now is the last piece, and we’ll be golden.” Terralestia slams her right hand onto the table in response and exclaims:
“Who did you take?! How did you manage to do that if you’re here with us?!”
“Starlight Glimmer. Poor mare, she was looking forward to that date too. It’s a good thing I planted those runes under every one of the ponies’ beds, eh?”
“I’m already aware of that,” Tori replies with Samyueru’s voice still in effect. “Shadow Thunder has already informed my other self of what happened. And, he’s currently very displeased with you.”
“I could care less about how any of you feel,” The dismembered head responds before it then starts to laugh uncontrollably.
During ‘Tanner’s’ laughter, Terralestia, Sai Sahan, and King Amidias simply stare at the fishbowl with annoyed expressions. However, Tori felt like something was completely off as the kenku narrows their eyes towards the imposter’s head. Then, as if someone had flicked a switch, Tori’s expression morphs into realization.
Taking notice of this, the dismembered head says:
“You ninja from Torinago are always a pain to deal with. Especially when it comes to a kenku, and judging by your current expression... did you figure it out, Tori?”
In an instant, the kenku turns towards the door and hurriedly runs outside before conjuring forth a Recall Potion from their inventory. Tori then drinks the magical beverage as it wisps the ninja kenku away to Home Town.
……….
“Where did Tori go?” Terralestia questions with a hint of surprise. However, King Amidias suddenly realizes something as he turns towards the head and says:
“Wait a second… what did you mean by “Figure it out? What has the kenku come to realize?! Answer you foul creature from below!”
“Oh, I will,” The fishbowl head responds with a smirk. “And that’s the beauty of this. It’s already too late and my first back up plan is going to bear fruit.”
“What backup plan?!” Sai Sahan exclaims in anger as he slams his right fist onto the table. “Enough with your games and reveal your scheme, demon!”
“Yeesh… and here I thought we were friends, Sai. I mean, you, Celestia, Lunaris… you’re all part of my guild for goodness sake. Well, before Lunaris went and-”
“Leave my brother’s name out of your foul mouth and speak the truth!” Terralestia replies in exclamation. “What is the backup plan?!”
“One of two but for separate reasons, actually. So let me answer your question... with another question,” A devilish expression suddenly forms onto the head’s face as it questions: “Do you like, zebras?”
The expressions of everyone who was left in Shroom’s home instantly morphs into horrific realization as Sai Sahan goes on to comment:
“Oh no…”
“How could we be so foolish?!” Terralestia exclaims in a mixture of anger and frustration.
“Sai? Celestia? What is happening, my friends? What does this have to do with a zebra?” King Amidias inquires.
“Sh-she... she,” Terralestia stutters before she swallows the lump in her neck and continues: “Zecora… she came here with the others.”
“I sometimes feel bad for that zebra,” The dismembered head comments with sarcasm. “Zecora gets overshadowed by the ponies and more often than not, she’s kind of forgotten until she reveals herself. Lord Legion prefers the ponies, but the simple fact that Zecora came from Equus as well makes her a beautiful back up plan. I’m so relieved that I took the time to set up a rune for her as well.”
"B-but, you said that you needed the ponies!" Sai Sahan exclaims.
"Yeah, see, that was both the truth and a lie," The head responds. "I just needed one of the three to be Twilight Sparkle while the other two can be anyone who was born on Equus. Saying that we only needed the ponies was just to keep you from including Zecora."
Suddenly, loud exclamations and a blood pumping commotion takes place outside as one of King Amidias’s men kicks the door open and shouts:
“My King! The Brotherhood Of The Crab is invading the village!”
“Those insolent cultists!" King Amidias responds in anger before he raises his hand and continues: "Go forth, my brave warriors! And help the truffles defend the village!”
“There is another thing, my King! Crabulon is leading the assault!” The Sea king's guard replies.
“Ah! And that’s my second backup plan!” The head in the empty fish bowl exclaims happily.
“You son of a bitch!” Terralestia roars out as she comes to realize what ‘Tanner’ has done. “You tipped them off and revealed our plans to them!”
“Well, duh! Why do you think I took Applejack with me to ‘scout’ the cultists? I wasn’t going to scout, you morons! I just didn’t want Applejack to get caught up in all of this. But change of plans and with Zecora soon within our possession, you can all die now!”
Quickly springing into action, Terralestia, Sai Sahan, and King Amidias grunts in anger and exits the home as they go on to join the coming conflict; leaving behind ‘Tanner’s’ head on the table. However, another individual then enters the mushroom comprised home and is revealed to be one of the crab cultists. Taking notice of this, the head states:
“You sure took your sweet time, Prophet Of Crabulon.”
“The great crab always honors his agreements, Tanner. And as his prophet, I shall enact his will.” The Prophet then enters the home and conjures forth an iron hammer before raising it over his head.
“Yeah yeah spare me your religious crab mumbo jumbo! And make it snappy! I’ve got a kenku to intercept! I will not allow a fucking ninja-bird to ruin this for me!”
-TERRARIA, HOME TOWN-
Having just arrived in Home Town thanks to the Recall Potion, Tori runs at full speed towards his other self, who in turn was with the rest of the town’s denizens as they were conversing about Tanner’s betrayal. Shadow Thunder in particular was in anguish due to the loss of Starlight all while both Linn and Celebes The Dryad does the same for Twilight.
Noticing the newly arrived kenku rapidly approaching the group, Rarity exclaims:
“You’re the Tori who was with the others, right?! Where’s Applejack and Rainbow Dash?! Are they ok?! That foul brute is with all of you!”
Ignoring the unicorn mare’s words, not to mention that of the town’s denizens, the newly arrived Tori and their counterpart runs towards each other and fuses together into a single entity. The now unified kenku then turns towards the direction of The Jungle and says in Rarity’s voice:
“Zecora.” The kenku then takes off and, having heard Tori’s words, both Shadow Thunder and Linn, who hops onto her horse, Ves, goes after the kenku as they go on to hopefully save the final target. The zebra of The Everfree Forest.