Sunset stands before the giant double doors, gazing up at the intricate carved carving of the totem animal. Said double doors slowly swung open, releasing the warm light that streamed in. Sunset looks around her, surveying the interior of the massive village, taking note of the huts scattered in front of her. She can make out several yaks seated around various fires and hear a few yaks laughing together. At the center, there is a large rectangular table, upon which sits several bowls and cups. She walks up to the table and glances inside. On it are many dishes, including herbs, water, and lichens.
‘I don’t see what Princess Celestia was worried about. This place looks like a fairy tale,’ Sunset thinks to herself. She takes a seat at the round table, placing her saddlebag down on the bench next to her, before turning her attention back to the food on the tables, wondering what exactly it is. As she looks at the wooden spoon and forks, a deep voice calls out to her.
“So, what is someone such as you doing in our village?”
Sunset turns her head to see a big black yak standing next to her, resting his chin atop one of the empty chairs. He wears a black fur cloak lined in red, with a golden emblem sewed onto the left breast of his garment. His horns extended upward on both sides of his head. Despite being quite old, he doesn't seem to be as frail as most. Instead his appearance shows how much strength he possesses within his body.
Sunset smiles slightly as she says “Good evening sir. My name is Sunset Shimmer,” she gestures to herself. “Would you happen to be the chieftain of this village?”
The yak nods. “That would indeed be me. My name is Ojo Yaksha. Now state your business, why have you come into our village.”
“Well,” Sunset begins, shifting in her seat, “I was sent here by Princess Celestia herself, to discuss an urgent matter with you. Resolving an issue between you and the Geyaku tribe.” Sunset paused briefly. “It would be wise if the treaty between your tribe and the Geyaku can be renewed as soon as possible.”
Ojo Yaksha scoffed. He leaned closer to Sunset. “My tribe isn’t interested in the alliance that you speak of Miss. In fact, I can assure you, it is no business of yours, nor of hers. We would like nothing better than to remain free and independent of the other tribes. And if we wish to keep it that way, well, then we will have to fight.”
Sunset sighed. “Yaksha, we all do respect, but that’s not gonna solve anything. I came here to ensure you and the Geyaku tribe could make peace with each other without starting a potential war that could ruin many lives and unborn millions to come.”
Ojo Yaksha laughed darkly. “And what makes you think our tribe could ever be able to settle things peacefully? The Geyakus made their choice when they refused to move out of their land and let me take it over for my people, and myself. That’s why we have these mountain ranges, to strengthen our hold on this territory. To make space for more huts, to build more warriors, to build weapons for ourselves to defend our lands and protect our people. We do not need any alliance nor a peace treaty to those who are beneath us, Miss Shimmer.”
Sunset took a deep breath. She knew the chances of success were slim and if things went south, it wasn’t looking good for her. But still, she had to try. It was her job to bring them to the Yakyakistans, where both the Geyakus, Cadance, Shining, Anon, and Princess Celestia will be waiting. And that’s if Shining and Cadance manage to convince the Geyakus to come to a peaceable conclusion.
Sunset stood from her chair, placing her hooves against its wooden surface. Her gaze never left the chieftain. Before she could open her mouth though, a rock flew through the air and hit him right in the face, breaking his smile. He threw both hooves to his face, holding his head in grimacing pain. “Who dares to interrupt our conversation!” He shouted.
“Ojo, you jerk!”
Sunset looked over her shoulder to see a female yak, almost as big as Ojo, coming towards her and standing by her side. Sunset could see a slight resemblance between this female yak and the chieftain, except for her facial features, which showed her age. Her fur was a lighter shade of brown, with only the tips of her ears visible. While most of the other female yaks had brown or even orange hair, this female had jet black locks. A gold star hair pin rested in the middle of her forehead, while her blue eyes sparkled like rubies.
“Emmet, what on earth were you thinking throwing rocks at your mate?!” Ojo shouted. Emmet glared at Ojo and stomped her hoof on the ground.
“What am I doing?” Emmet gritted her teeth. “What were you doing sleeping with some other female yaks?!” She demanded.
Ojo's eyes widened, taken aback. “W… What are you talking about? I haven’t slept with anyone!”
“Really now!? Then who was the home wrecker that was laying in bed with you in my dream? Who else has been staying with you? Huh?!”
Ojo blinked rapidly. A brief delay ensued, followed by his breath choking. “You… You dreamed about me sleeping with another yak?” He stammers. Sunset turned her head at Emmet who was just as dumbfounded as Ojo was.
“Yes!” Emmet replied, close enough to him now to shove a hoof into his chest. “And you were enjoying it, weren’t you? You enjoyed making love to other women, didn’t you!?”
Ojo’s hoof whipped up and wrapped around hers. “Emmet, all of that was just a dream—JUST a dream!” Ojo tried to reason, grabbing his wife’s arms and lowering himself to her eye level. “What you saw in your dream is not me, Emmet. Not at all.”
Emmet’s glare remained firm as she shook her head. “I know what I saw, Ojo, and you know what I saw!”
A sigh fell from Ojo’s lips. “We can talk about all this later,” he says, glancing behind him. “I’m in the middle somethi—”
“No!” Emmet shouts, pushing Ojo away from her. “We are talking about this now!” She sat on her rump while folding her hooves. Turning her head away from him in disappointment. “And If you really wanna make it up to me, you can start by saying you’re sorry.”
Ojo and Sunset stared at Emmet as if she grew three heads. “Pardon me?” Ojo finally says, his tone laced with disbelief.
Emmet turns to look back at Ojo. “You heard me, you no good cheating pig! Say you’re sorry and I’ll forgive you!”
Ojo and Sunset were utterly perplexed, specifically Sunset. Never had she ever seen anyone so upset over seeing their loved one in a dream mingling with another female; especially when it’s their mate.
“She can’t be serious.” Sunset whispered to herself.
“Are you trying to tell me,” Ojo begins. “That in order to make up for my sins that you claimed to have seen, in YOUR dream, you want me to say I'm sorry?”
Emmet nodded vigorously. “That’s exactly what I said, so go ahead!” She shouted, pointing a hoof at Ojo’s nose.
Sunset glanced at Ojo, bewildered and wondering what he was going to say.
Ojo inhaled deeply. After exhaling slowly he replied. “I’m sorry for having cheated.” He said in a low voice, before continuing. “I promise I won’t do such a thing like that in the real world, and in your dreams.”
“And?” Emmet asked, urging him to continue.
“And I promise I won’t think about other female yak’s except you, and only you,” Ojo finished.
Emmet smiles brightly, giving Ojo a big hug. The chieftain grunted, but allowed Emmet to squeeze him tightly. “You’re forgiven, my beloved.” She declared. She pulled away from the embrace and clasped her hooves together. “Oh, I almost forgot. I almost have your present ready for you. It should be done by nighttime.”
Ojo raised a brow. “My present? What did you bring me?”
“The same thing as last year, Ojo.” Emmet assured him, smiling softly.
“What? Is it the same blanket you made for me all the time or the thing you always do at night with your mou-” Ojo tried to ask only to have Emmet quickly shove her hooves into his mouth, giving a loud ‘SHHHH’.
“Not in front of our guests.” Emmet hushed. Ojo chuckled awkwardly, scratching his cheek.
“Right. Right. Sorry.” He replied, clearing his throat. His eyes darted back to Sunset, who was staring back at him. “Now, back on topic: like I have established earlier, if they’re not going to give me their land then I have no qualms with taking it by force.”
Sunset tried to protest but Ojo raised a hoof up at her. “But, I may come to terms with this peace treaty under one condition.” Sunset narrowed her eyes at him. “In exchange that you duel our champion.”
Sunset blinked her eyes, confused. “That’s it?” She asked.
Ojo nodded. “Yes, that’s it.”
Sunset’s lips curled into a smirk. “That’s all?” She asked. Ojo gave her a nod again. “Well then,” she began. “You got yourself a deal.” She turns to her right, darting her eyes from one yak to another. “So, which one of these yaks is your champion?”
Ojo chuckled, returning a smirk of his own. “You see Sunset, that’s the best part. Our champion is not a yak,” he replied. “He’s a mountain dragon.”
Once again her brain had a brief delay as she processed what he had just told her. The word dragon progressively sunk in her head until it took hold. Her entire body felt as if it was frozen, unable to move an inch as her eyes widened in shock. And in this shocking state, she could only mutter one word.
“Dragon?”