//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: The Enchantress // Story: What does a Hero Truly Need? Vol. 1: A New Age of Heroes // by zelkova48 //------------------------------// What does a Hero Truly Need? By: Zelkova48 Chapter 2: The Enchantress Aiushtha finally opened her eyes after being constantly assaulted by the wind, her gaze still very hazy as a side effect of being lunged into another universe by a black hole. All she could see for the time being was the glare of a very bright sun, fluffy clouds, and a beautiful blue sky that painted the Heavens. It was then that she realized the Heaven's made her a land creature and that she shouldn't really be up here. With that thought in mind she quickly shook her head, clearing up any haze that may remain and spun around, throwing her body in free fall. She looked down at the earth, which was rapidly closing in on her. She managed to make out the fact that she wasn't on the battlegrounds anymore. And that meant no resurrection from otherwise fatal occurrences that may befall her. Her eyes widened as she knew what would come next if she didn't do anything. Screaming while falling to her death was clearly out of the question, and she brushed the suggestion aside in her mind. This was one of the few times in her life where she prayed she was given wings to help her fly around. Sadly, praying won't exactly help this time around as the others weren't around to help her. Aiushtha only gave a small yelp as she prepare for whatever may happen next, she close her eyes and took a deep breath in midair. Her life flashed before her very eyes; from the moment of her birth, to meeting the other heroes of the Radiant and the Dire, and finally all of the battles she had faced in a effort to help maintain balance of her world. She would hope this was her world at least. She had finished her last memory, the recent battle that got her into this predicament. She knew she was never really a fighter, yet she tried her best to use her abilities to the fullest. Her friends would always cheer her on whenever she was dominating the enemy team with her powerful javelins that can rip through enemy's like a hot knife slicing through butter. And even when she failed, no one really held her accountable for it, which in some cases bugged her because of her nature no one could really be mad at her. But, she could tell when some one is speaking from the heart or out of consideration for her feelings. "Friends..." she thought. "What I wouldn't give to see them again." Her eyes began to well up with tear as she remembered them. Treant Protector and Nature's Prophet understood her problems and were always willing to lend a helping hand. Rylai and Lina would always argue with each other and come to her for help being a tiebreaker, which always resulted with them filling the air with laughter and joy simply by chatting. She enjoyed going on manhunts with Gondar, practicing her shots with Lyralei, and the list goes on and on. Even with the Dire heroes she found many a times having such fun with them. Though, Karl would brag about his skills every chance he got, Akasha and Aiushtha would be there to humor him on his flights of fancy. Aiushtha couldn't stop the tears from flowing, she just let them run until she was content. She was going to wipe one of the tears off when all of a sudden, "What the?" she looked down at her hands, or rather hooves. She'd always had hooves, only she use them to walk with rather than wipe her tears with them. She had hands for that. In fact, now that she thought about it, she couldn't feel her upper body. Well, she could, but the upper body she was feeling was her lower body. That would mean that her lower body and upper body were.... which meant.... "Ugh, what is going on here?" Her sorrow and melancholy were replaced with confusion as to why she can't feel her upper human half. The confusion was swapped again with sorrow as the earth began closing in more and more. She closed her eyes again, waiting for fate to take it's course. Fate, apparently, felt really soft, with a silk like texture caressing her form. Death felt rather comfortable in her opinion. In fact, her acceleration seemed to have slowed and she was resting upon some sort of ticklish bed. She peeked with one eye open to look around, her splattered remains were still attached to her, which was good, but she was still in the air. She looked down, and to her surprise she discovered she was being carried by a flock of beautiful pink butterflies that have gathered together to help her float down to safety. "Funny," she thought, "I'd always thought Travex would carry us." She let out a laugh as her nerves began to calm down to the point where she could crack jokes without the fear of death haunting her well being. The butterflies closed in closer to the ground. When they reached an appropriate height, she hopped off and touched the ground without any fear of falling to her doom. She was on the earth again, which allowed her to fully concentrate in the matter at hand. But not before she thanked the group of butterflies that spared her from a horrible fate. Her eye went wide at what happened next though. All the butterflies formed together to created a big smiley face followed by the letters "N" and "P" in which they promptly left afterwards. "Hmm, smart butterflies. Who knew?" she giggled at the thought. Aiushtha observed the world around her once her mind was clear of fear and doubt. She was back to usual cheerful self, but there was still a couple of problems that needed her immediate assessment at the moment. "Okay. Right now, I don't exactly feel like myself. Secondly, I need to find out where I am. Third, I need to find my trusty javelin. And finally, I have to find out where my friends are." She furrowed her brow in deep concentration, trying to grasp just what the heck was going on. One moment they were fighting the Dire team, and the next they were swallowed by the rampant black hole and scattered across the four corners of the globe. She looked around herself, taking in the lush and beautiful scenery that unfolded before her. There was a vast plain the stretched as far as the eyes could see, with several trees lining up to form a great forest on the horizon. The air around was as pure and clean as nature could get, and the sun was shining down upon her, cascading her body with it's warm gentle glow. Up ahead, she could spot a small cottage and a town right behind it practically hustling and bustling with activity at the moment. But the one thing that she adored the most was the forest behind her. She could feel the life emanating from it, she wanted to step in and dance around to relieve some stress. But that would have to wait until she was done with her other goals. Now, she wanted to check out why she felt so strange. She walked over to a nearby puddle that just was just big enough to see herself, and what she saw took her breath away. She was still herself per say only she was more in touch with her side of nature. Gone was her upper human half she was now fully a doe, but she still had her horns that she was so fond of. Her coat glistened in the sunlight as she continued to examine her new form. She would now have to walk out all fours but it felt incredibly natural for her so it didn't really bother her in the slightest. Her clothes and jewelry have been adjusted as they perfectly conform to her new body, her leafy dress and earthen accessories still remained, making the already enchanting Enchantress more stunning and gorgeous. "At least I still have my good looks," she said, batting an eyelash at her reflection to accentuate her ravishing beauty. She would stick around a bit longer but Aiushtha was never really one for vanity, and she had to focus on the next few goals she needed to accomplish. She looked across the horizon and spotted the small cottage again. "Hmm.. maybe the person that lives there could help me. I can't really do this on my own right now.". With a strengthen resolve she picked herself up and began trotting over to the cozy little home in hopes that she would find what she is looking for there, taking in more of the scenery as he slowly approached it. "Hmm this body isn't half bad," she thought aloud while walking, "I do miss my old self though, and hands." Fluttershy was in her cottage home tending to the birds and furry little creatures that were running about in her home, many of whom were still frightened about the recent shaking. Squirrels, chipmunks, and all manner of miniature mammals crowded around Fluttershy in hopes she would protect them from harm, just being around the the meek little pegasus eased them of their anxiety. All the ground animals were no longer panicking now that their caretaker was there. All the birds and other flying creatures sat on the various branches around her house without a trace of fear within them anymore. Although, some had chosen to reside in her pink coloured mane, just to be on the safe side. "Hush now little ones, there is nothing to fear anymore. Twilight and my friends are solving this mystery as we speak." Her calm and soothing voice resonated throughout the cottage. For a moment, it felt as if all of the wrongs and fear in the world disappeared in respect for Fluttershy's kindness. For a moment, all was right with the world, and Fluttershy's animal friends wouldn't have it any other way. Even Angel bunny, who normally acted rude and unruly, was now relaxed beyond comprehension. Just when Fluttershy and the animals were starting to settle down, however, the calm was broken when a mysterious object crashed through the roof of her home scaring all of the animals out of their minds again. Fluttershy scrambled around trying to maintain order "Oh please! just..can you.. Eep!" She tried talking to them with her outside voice, which was technically also her inside voice... and her whisper. After a couple of minutes of chasing and finding every animal that had a panic attack once again, order was restored at the Fluttershy household. Though everyone's nerve were still very much on edge as the all huddled around Fluttershy, staring at the strange object that crashed through her home. They all stared at it, trying to make out what it was. It looked like a long green oblong stick thingy, what it was meant for no one had even the slightest clue. As if the shaking and the explosion in the sky weren't enough, now there was random objects falling out of the sky. One of the chipmunks broke out of it fearful trance and approached the strange object. Fluttershy tried to stop him but was still frozen in fear, she couldn't do anything about it. The chipmunk reached out to touch the mysterious object. Everyone held their breath as they waited for something to happen, but nothing out of the ordinary occured. He tapped it again and again, only to be met with the same result each time. Everyone let out a great big sigh of relief knowing that nothing was going to hurt them. And just like that, everyone rushed over to the green stick examining its features. "Oh my! what is this?" Well, asides being various shades of green and yellow, there was was a butterfly emblem near one end of the shaft, with a golden spear head at the end. It was sort of like the ones the royal guards had, only this one was smaller. Near the other end of the stick was a three pronged tip of varying sizes. "Maybe I should go find Twilight, she would like to see this," she asked her animal friends. Sure enough, Angel was nodding his head in agreement along with every mammal, bird, and reptile in the little cottage home. "Oh, but she's all the way at White Tail Woods. Everyone, I will be right back. I have to find Twilight and the others." She took several deep breaths, and checked with her animal friends twice before she made way to the door. She had to find the others, they would know what was going on. She has had one too many unpleasant surprises today. For once she would like good surprise to happen today. She nearly jumped out of her own skin when she heard the knocks on her door though, She quickly gathered herself when she figured it was nothing more than a friendly visitor or Ditzy Doo delivering her mail. When she opened the door however, she found out that it wasn't Ditzy. Instead, it was the 'good surprise' she was hoping for. Fluttershy's eyes grew wide as saucer as she took in the sight before. Standing in front of her little doorway was a breathtakingly stunning doe just slightly taller than she was. Her brown and white coat looked as though they were expertly painted on by a master artist. Her tail and ears flickered every so often with such graceful movement, like they were constantly being choreographed by an ethereal director. Her leafy dress and eye catching jewelry only served to accentuate her great beauty. She had a golden loop earring on each ear, her hair was tied back with three gold rings, letting it flow back like the wind. Her dress appeared to be made out of several leaves with a butterfly emblem on her chest, which looked vaguely familiar. Then there were her horns. They didn't look threatening in the slightest, They weren't sharp nor entirely dull it was in between. It made her look just like... a princess, in fact! "Hello there," The beautiful doe spoke to Fluttershy in a gentle voice. Fluttershy just stood there staring at the mysterious figure with her mouth open, like she was trying to say something, but she just couldn't say it. She stood like that for a few more seconds before she found the courage to speak properly. She let out a loud *GASP* and began incoherently yelling "OMIGOSHOMIGOSHOMIGOSH!" If Rainbow Dash were here now, she'd be very flattered by her imitation of her. Aiushtha could only watch as the little winged horse darted back and forth around her, asking a variety of questions and complimenting her looks. Right now, she couldn't tell if the little horse was overly excited or was suffering a violent seizure. She deduced it was the former. She had never seen a creature like her before, but then she thought back to the flying courier that was ever so helpful to her team during the fights on the battleground. Only she remembered they didn't talk. But then again, she wasn't exactly in her world right now. Eventually, after several seconds of excitement, the yellow horse settle down, her face glowing a bright red. She was clearly embarrassed from her outburst. Then she spoke with a very soft voice, so soft that Aiushtha had to lean in a bit closer to hear her. "Umm... sorry for that, I got a little carried away," she said, rubbing a hoof on the back her neck. Aiushtha simply smiled in return. "It is quite alright little one. Might I say I have never a little horse like you before" "Oh, I'm not a horse, I'm a pony. Oh, dear! I'm afraid I haven't properly Introduced myself yet. My name is, Fluttershy," she replied as she extend out a hoof in friendship. "Ah! So you're a pony, that makes much more sense. My name is Aiushtha by the way, I am The Enchantress." Aiushtha reached over and shook hooves with Fluttershy. "Aiushtha? I never heard of that kind of name before. Oh! I have so much to ask you! Where are you from? What's it like there? Are you a princess? You look just like a princess! Oh, wait. How rude of me! Please come inside!" Fluttershy's excitement returned full force and Aiushtha was dragged into the cottage against her will. She didn't mind though. At least she's a friendly one and not some thieving bandit she'd come across so many time before in the forest back home. "*Sigh*" She missed her home, but she didn't know exactly where she was right now. She just decided to follow Fluttershy into her home and try to get some answers about this alien world. She was prepared to answer whatever questions Fluttershy was going to throw at her if she could expect to get some answers in return as well. What she wouldn't expect to find though was her trusty javelin stick upright from the inside of the cottage. She quickly ran over to it, glad to see that it was still in one piece. "My javelin! How did this get here?" she asked Fluttershy, but only then had she noticed the large swath of animals that dwell within her little home. They don't seem threatened by her though. In fact, it seem they enjoyed her company. She had that kind of effect them. A certain white little bunny rabbit ran up to her and curtly hugged her leg before running back to his own little house, Fluttershy smiled at this. It wasn't very often the Angel would be openly affectionate like this, often time he would be abrasive around other mares and stallions. This was proof enough that Aiushtha is a kind spirit. Fluttershy walked by her, looking at the object "This is yours? Well, it crashed into my home a while ago." Aiushtha looked up seeing the damage that was caused. The was a small hole in the ceiling shaped just like her javelin. Her cheeks flushed red, she felt guilty. This was her javelin after all, she indirectly created a hole in Fluttershy's roof while she was falling from the sky. "I am incredibly sorry, Fluttershy. I'll help you fix later, if you like?" "That would be very nice. Thank you, Aiu... Aiush... Aiusha?" Fluttershy fumbled with her words for a minute. "I'm sorry, it's a little hard to pronounce your name." Fluttershy's face cheeks were once again red with embarrassment. "It's quite alright, Fluttershy. My friends had the same troubles too when they first met me. It is pronounces Aiushtha." She let out a giggle before remembering why she was here in the first place. " Oh! That's right. I must find my friends." She quickly approached her weapon to retrieve it. She looked down at her hoove and pondered to herself. "How am i supposed to pick things up with hooves?" Fluttershy saw her concerned look "Is something the matter? Here let me help you" Fluttershy walked over to the weapon and just like that she picked it up like normal person would with hands. Aiushtha was incredibly surprised at what she just witnessed. "How did you do that?" she asked with a raised eyebrow. "What do you mean?" The yellow pegasus replied "All ponies, whether they are earth ponies, pegasi, or unicorn, have innate magic that they could control. The simplest being able to grasp objects with our hooves. I believe you can as well," Fluttershy then handed her the javelin. Aiushtha reached out to grab her javelin. She could feel a strange sensation around her hooves, like her body, it felt disturbingly natural even though she wasn't quite use to it yet. Then, she could feel the energy begin to take shape like a rudimentary limb and she grasp her javelin as easily as she would've done it with her hands. She then got technical and began standing on her hind legs, spinning the weapon around with her two hooves with remarkable dexterity. She'd even manage to swing it around her back before she took her other hoof and spun it upwards, taking care not to hit the ceiling. The Javelin spun around in the air for a few seconds before it began to fall, in which all the animals and Fluttershy gasped in surprise, only for Aiushtha to deftly catch it in mid air and steady it right beside her in one graceful motion and struck a rather epic pose. Fluttershy and the animals gave her a standing ovation, where Aiushtha bow courteously to her applauding peers. When the clapping died down, Fluttershy ran over to her with a smile as wide as a mile "Omigosh! That was incredible! Where did you learn how to do that!" she was all giddy again. Fluttershy didn't care anymore, this was by far the best time she has had all day. Aiushtha giggled. "I'll tell you all in due time, Fluttershy," she said as she twirled her javelin once more to get use to her new form."This world is overflowing with magic," she thought, only realizing just now how similar this world was to her own. "I do hope the others are safe..." 'Would you like to ask me those questions now?" she asked. Fluttershy was extremely ecstatic when she was given the chance to openly bombard her with questions. She decided to ask the simplest one. "Oh, yes please. Where do you come fro-" her question was cut short as they both heard yelling coming from outside. The two sprang into action and ran out to the clearing as quick as they could to search for the source of the noise. It was all quiet on such a sunny day. Then they heard the yell again. "HIIIYAAAAHH!" Both Aiushtha and Fluttershy turn their heads in the direction of the noise. While Aiushtha was overjoyed to hear a sound she was all to familiar with, Fluttershy's heart began pounding quicker and quicker as she looked to where the sound was. The Everfree Forest "Rhasta!" Aiushtha shouted. She was elated to hear that her friend was alive and well but the yellow bolts of electricity that shot out form the forest opening filled her head with grave thoughts. "Rhasta would only use his ether shock for self defense." " *GASP!* "Rhasta's in trouble! I have to help him!" Her usual cheery personality was replaced with the feeling of dread. She rushed over to the entrance of the forest, only to be stopped by a terrified Fluttershy. "What are you doing!? The Everfree Forest isn't safe! Please come with me. We have to find my friends, they can help you," Fluttershy tried her best to stop Aiushtha, but she ignored her warnings and ran around her, and straight into the heart of the forest. "I'm sorry, Fluttershy, but I have to help my friend!" With javelin in hoof, she trotted double time and disappeared into the unnatural darkness that plagued the forest hoping that her shamanic friend was still alive when she got there. Fluttershy was hyperventilating at a rate so quick she felt her heart was ready to shoot out of her chest at any given moment. She feared for her new friend. She couldn't stop her from running to her doom even if it meant helping another friend. Just as the day was beginning to get good, it was all flipped upside down at the drop of a hat. Tears began to well up in her eyes as she wept for her new friend, tears that wouldn't stop no matter how hard she tried. She wanted to help Aiushtha, no matter the cost. She may have only known the doe for a few minutes but they had become fast friends and Fluttershy was going to save her no matter what. She searched her heart for the courage to stand up and take action, and when she did, she wiped away the tears from her eyes and steeled herself. Her resolve much stronger than it was before, she knew what she had to do, but she couldn't do it alone. "I have to find the other," she thought, "I need their help." She turned around and quickly flew as fast as she could to the White Tail Woods to find Twilight, Rainbow, and Applejack like she had previously planned when the javelin fell into her home. She knew the woods like the back of her hoof and took a shortcut that cut the travel time in half. She looked back at the Everfree Forest one last time before she was just overhead of the woods. "Don't worry Aiushtha, help is on the way"" Chapter 2 end