//------------------------------//
// Teaching an Old God New Techniques 
// Story: Okami: Equestrian Legend 
// by Shaq-of-All-Trades 
//------------------------------//

	Exiting Sugarcube Corner (they had been told that was the building's name), Ammy and Issun were granted a colorful view. The area surrounding the bakery had become vibrant with color, a stark contrast compared to the rest of the town. "Wow, looks like helping out these ponies perked this place up! I bet if we help some more, even more of the town will become accessible!"

As it was, it appeared that the way back to the strange hollow tree was completely overridden by the curse. Some force had made it very clear they weren't meant to head back there yet. Though this was curious, it had to take a backseat to the other interesting thing that had occurred. A path had opened up, leading towards a large building that kind of looked like a cupcake. Slowly, Ammy walked towards it, when more imps appeared. This time they were accompanied by something she hadn't seemed before. It looked like a bird, but was too large, too misshapen, and was wearing a mask like a tengu.

"Careful, Ammy! We don't know what that thing is, or what it can do. I'm not looking to go out quite yet!" Issun hid in Amaterasu's fur, as she slowly circled the monsters. The imps rushed towards her, holding their instruments at the ready. She dodged their attack, keeping her focus on the bird monster. It flew up, higher and higher, then came crashing down. It was so fast that it nicked her tail as she moved out of the way. Taking a chance, an imp leaped and landed on her back, aiming its flute directly at her head.

At that moment, a sword flew and impaled it, knocking it clean off. From the sky appeared a pony with wings and a blue hawk headdress with a flowing cloak. The pony cut through the rest of the imps, and struck down the bird creature with ease. "Use your new technique, mon amie!" he said turning to Amaterasu.

"Oh, uh, yeah! Use that technique Ammy! Try drawing a healing smile on that monster birdie!" As Amaterasu used her tail to manipulate her mystical ink, a thought occurred to Issun. "Wait... why are we healing a monster? Ammy, wait!" But it was too late. The symbol had already been drawn, and the monster began to glow a bright pink. With an explosion of light, a small bird tweeted, and flew off into the sky. "What the?"

"Ah, you are still getting used to the ways of this world I see. Too bad you do not have the gift of foresight as I do." The pony turned to face them, and his identity became blatantly clear. Ammy's jaw dropped, and Issun was hopping mad.

"Darn it, why are you here you half-baked prophet?! And an even better question, why are we here? This had better not be your doing, or I swear, I'll-!"

"Ah, do calm yourself little one. I am here, because I need to be, the same as you. It seems that we were brought here on accident, yet can only leave when our purpose is complete. That will be a problem, seeing as your techniques have no power here."

"How do you know that?!"

"Ah," Waka looked with a mischievous gleam in his eye, "I know because I can discern through the veil of time. You'll have to gather the techniques that lay hidden in this land, if you wish to return to full strength and return home. Of course, this will be no easy task. The forces of darkness have hidden the light of the stars in sadness and pain. You'll have to bring forth the light, even it blinds you a little. And now, a prophecy for you: gems aren't the only things that shine, for beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Ta-ta for now, baby!"

Waka flew off, leaping around leaving a trail of stardust. Issun clenched his hoof. "That guy.... I REALLY don't like him! And what was up with that prophecy anyways? Ah, well, let's just keep on Ammy..." Issun turned to see Amaterasu sleeping on the ground. A snot bubble gently inflated and deflated from her nose. Issun popped the bubble, and Amaterasu woke up, startled. "Listen when people are talking to ya, furball!"

Ammy looked at Issun, then tilted her head. He sighed, then leaped back onto her head, burrowing into her fur. She shook her head a bit.

"Whatever, let's just go. I don't like being near this curse any more than I have to." Galloping, they made their way into the cupcake building. Inside were a group of mannequins, all without faces. An eerie vibe came from them. "Wow, those things are creepy. I know they're fake and all, but I could swear they're waiting for something! Let's just figure out what we have to do here and get going!" Ammy walked around, looking in boxes and drawers. Issun kept watch over the mannequins. Suddenly, Amaterasu ran over, holding a bag in her mouth. "Ooo, what is it furball?"

Ammy dropped the bag on Issun, who got from under it and waved his sword in anger.

"Was that supposed to be funny?! Because I'm not laughing...!" Ammy pointed to the bag, and he turned, his jaw dropping. "Is that... A BAG FULL OF TREASURE?!?" Gemstones of all shapes and colors spilled out of the bag, and Issun hopped around like a madpony. "I'm rich, I'm rich, I'm totally rich! Oh boy, wait till we get back to Nippon with this loot! The easy, life, that's what we'll have. And tons and tons of babes!"

Issun had just touched one of the gems, when suddenly the mannequins sprung to life. Amaterasu grabbed Issun in her mouth, and leaped aside as their fake hooves smashed hard into the floor. They turned their heads simultaneously, facing Amaterasu as if they had eyes in their heads. The effect was disturbing, and for a moment, Ammy was stunned.

"Hey, focus!" Issun's words broke her from her reverie. "Can't space out in a battle! Honestly, what would you do without me?" He hopped from her mouth then onto her head, and pointed to the now circling group of mannequins. "Six of them, two of us... I gotta say, I don't like their odds." While he laughed at his own joke, Ammy watched the mannequins carefully. They moved in a jerky fashion, as if their limbs weren't designed for walking, which technically, they weren't. Clearly, they weren't supposed to be this way... which meant if she weakened them, she might be able to return them to normal with her new brush technique.

At once, half of the mannequins attacked. They were easy to read, and Ammy dodged to the side with no effort. As she did so, the others rushed in. She leaped into the air with a flip, using the holy instrument on her back to strike the three pony-shaped figures. They collapsed onto the floor, dazed. Using the opening, she used her Healing technique and restored them to bright, normal figures. The other three resumed their circling.

"So, looks like these guys can only attack in teams. Makes it easy to counter when you know who's next! We should probably keep track of how the monsters in this world fight, so that we don't get caught off guard like with that bird. I don't want the half-baked prophet thinking we need him to fight our battles!" Amaterasu dodged a rapid attack by one of the mannequins, then leaped up as one tried to come from behind. The final one she struck as it tried to move in from the side, and she returned it to normal as well. Now only two of the mannequins remained moving, circling faster and tighter now.

With surprising nimbleness, one feinted towards Ammy, making her back into a tackle by the other. She growled at them, the effect somewhat more adorable coming from her pony larynx. The mannequins simply kept circling. It was time to take the offensive and finish them off. With lightning reflexes, Amaterasu pounced on one of the mannequins, knocking it off rhythm. Before the other could mount a counter attack, she hit it with her Holy Instrument and returned it to normal. The last mannequin, now alone, simply stood in place disoriented. With a flick and a swipe, it was returned to normal. Amaterasu and Issun looked around, wary for any other threats, and were pleased to see none. They did, however, see a set of stairs leading up.

Taking them two at a time, the pair was confronted by a terrifying looking cat statue. For some reason just looking at it seemed to cause pain and turmoil. Ammy moved it to the closet, and Issun nodded firmly. With the distraction gone, it was time to inspect the room. Nothing seemed out of place per se, except perhaps the overly large mirror, It seemed to nearly dominate a wall on its own. Amaterasu moved closer, and inspected herself. She hadn't had a chance to properly look herself over, and now that she did, she had to admit that she didn't look too bad. Maybe being a pony had its perks... hopefully she could still howl though.

"This isn't too bad," Issun admitted. "I gotta say, when I first found out I was turned into some miniature pony, I freaked. But it's starting to grow on me. Maybe we can stick around a little while after we're done clearing out all the bad juju. Besides, I make being a pony look good." Suddenly, the mirror dimmed, and the vision of the two was obscured by blackness. "Dang it! I was just getting a good look too... hey! Is a constellation forming?"

Indeed, a constellation was appearing inside of the mirror. It appeared to be forming a pony with an arm across her face. Amaterasu filled in the missing stars, and from the mirror appeared a pony like a marshmallow. She swooned in place, and fell onto a sofa that Amaterasu was sure wasn't there a second ago.

"Oh my, that was the ABSOLUTE worst!" the pony cried out. "Being turned into a bunch of stars and stuck in a mirror? Oh, it was so dreadfully cold, and I looked terrible and fat. I mean really, have you ever seen a group of stars not look fat? I hope to never experience such a thing ever again!"

"Uh, wow, you're pretty cute for a pony!" Issun commented. The pony shot up, and was standing in front of Ammy.

"Why thank you! Oh, do forgive my rudeness; the situation has made me forget myself. I am Rarity, a unicorn who believes that fashion and manners should be standard for everypony. And what may I call my dashing hero?" Rarity fluttered her eyelashes.

"Well pretty pony, I'm Issun the wandering artist, and this guy here is Amaterasu. We came here somehow from Nippon, and we're trying to restore Equestria to how it was." Rarity screeched and backed away. "Something wrong?"

"A TALKING BUG! EWEWEWEWEWEWEWEW!" Ammy snickered into her hoof as Issun boiled.

"HEY, I AM NOT A BUG!" Issun hopped over and landed on her nose, making her cringe. "I am a proud Poncle!"

Rarity slowly stopped panicking, and looked at him closely. "Well... my apologies then. You're just so small, and that thing on your head makes you look like a creepy-crawly. It's just so... ewwwwwww. Nevertheless, a lady is always kind to her guests!" Rarity stopped moving, and just as with Pinkie Pie, she began to glow. An orb shot forth from her, and into Ammy's chest. She began speaking in the same mysterious voice Pinkie had.

"Oh Amaterasu, origin of that is good in Nippon and mother to them all. Yet another Element of Harmony you have rescued, and so forth have you helped me regain strength. There is much you must know of if you are to succeed in your journey, though I may only hint at it. Know that your memories were not stolen, but are simply hidden in your mind. Bits and pieces of the past may come to you, but to unravel the truth, you must return where you began. That is all I can say for now. From this element, use the technique of Exchange to bring about equal happiness for us all."

The light faded, and Rarity collapsed to the ground. On inspection, it seemed that she had simply swooned too much. Ammy looked at Issun, who simply shrugged. "Well, we got a new technique and we rescued another pony. I'd say we're doing pretty well so far. Looks like it's getting dark out though... I don't know about you, but I need a break from all we've been dealing with." Amaterasu drew a sun in the sky, and daylight suddenly poured in. "Oh, ha ha furball. I don't care if you can still bring out the sun, I need a nap!"

So Amaterasu carried Rarity over to her bed and Issun tucked her in, then the two curled up for a nap on the sofa. Resting their dreary eyes, They passed the day away, unknowing of the darkness creeping deeper and deeper through the world...