Terraria: Friendship Is Magic

by Pomp-Neigh

Chapter 43 - The Monster?

-TERRARIA, CRIMSON BIOME, ENCAMPMENT-

Various adventurers began to break down the encampment as it was soon time to move on. In the middle of the encampment, a group of certain ponies and terrarians were gathered together.

After hearing Terralestia’s tale, all of the ponies remained silent with stunned expressions and tears flowing down their cheeks. During the terrarian’s story both Starlight and Twilight had joined in, listening to Terralestia’s tale. Rainbow Dash’s heart was pierced upon hearing this tale of utter deception, as the bearer of The Element Of Loyalty, this disgusted her most amongst the ponies. Starlight felt absolutely aghast towards the actions of Yharim. The unicorn once believed Queen Chrysalis to be the most heartless schemer she’s ever known and yet, compared to Yharim, the actions of the former Changeling Queen was nothing at all. Twilight looked upon Terralestia with sorrow who was beginning to weep from the recollection of her tale, with Sai patting her back. The Alicorn runs into the heartbroken sibling and hugs her with all of Twilight’s might, desperately trying to shower her with affection.

“I’m so sorry... I’m so sorry... I’m so sorry...”, Twilight repeated as the group takes a moment of silence.

After a few moments of grief, Terralestia manages to regain her composer all the while Twilight is still hugging her. The terrarian smiles as she says:

“I’m ok now dear Twilight, thank you for that.”

“A-are you sure?, I know this can’t be easy to deal with...”, Twilight replies.

“That guy is such a bucking ass!. You all trusted him, he was your teacher, and that’s what he does?!. I didn’t even meet the guy yet and I already hate him...”

“I know, Rainbow. Celestia, Lunaris, and myself believed in Mas- I mean, Yharim. He taught us everything we know and continually told us about how he believes we would ‘Save Terraria’, under his tutelage. He has taken our hearts and crushed them...”, Sai says as he narrows his features in anger.

“I’m sorry if this sounds weird to ask, but, how did you guys know about the parts you weren’t there for?. You know, like when The Dryad fought that Calamitas person on the Moon... I’m still trying to wrap my head around that...”

“That would be because of me, Starlight Glimmer.”

A mysterious female voice says which causes the group to turn towards a hooded, cloaked individual. The female being removes her hoodie which causes everyone to gasp in recognition, even nearby adventurer’s were shocked to see who was behind the veil as they say:

“No way... Isn’t that...”

“Woah, that’s a Dryad!”

“For real?, you’d better not be messing with me since I’ve got these coverings on.”

“No I’m serious, there’s one right there.”

“That’s amazing!... I thought they were all extinct...”

“Watch it idiot, don’t say that!”

As the rest of the adventurers continues to look on in awe and voice their shocked minds, Terralestia, Sai, and the trio of ponies manages to recollect themselves. Twilight walks forward and bows before the now revealed Dryad with a smile as she says:

“It’s good to see you again, Celebes.”

“You too, Twilight Sparkle.”

As they continue to converse, the entire encampment failed to realize that they were being watched by an unknown entity. A being comprised entirely of the living flesh with multiple eyes and mouths, even faces, present all over the entity.

---

-TERRARIA, UNDERGROUND SNOW BIOME-

A trio of ponies along with a kitsune and a royal slime Princess are still searching vigorously throughout the large, underground, frozen cavern in search of an abandoned research facility which belongs to the ancient Archmage: Cryogen. It felt as if the group has been down here for centuries, an exaggeration to be sure, but the feeling was all too real.

“Ugh... It’s one thing to know that a lab exists but it’s another to know where it is. You guys are really going far for your friend...”, Ritsu The Zoologist says as she takes on an annoyed expression.

“It’ll be fine, Ritsu. Sure, we haven’t turned anything up yet but ah’ ain’t walking out of here without that mirror.”, Applejack declares confidently.

“Me too, me too!. If the situation were reversed I know that Rarity would be down here trying to save me, so I’m going to search this place from ceiling to floor, behind every stalactite to every stalagmite!.”, Pinkie Pie exclaims as she pulls out a magnifying glass from her mane along with a detective’s hat. Applejack looks at the party mare in shock as she says:

“How do ya’ even know those words?”

“We’d do anything to save our friends, no matter who they are or what we’re up against. Even if it can sometimes be, um, very scary.”, Fluttershy says as she smiles nervously.

”Truly... You are a goddess, Fluttershy.”, Princess Pinkie says in admiration which causes the aforementioned ‘Goddess’, to giggle.

As each of the ponies spoke their proclamation and determination of friendship, Ritsu’s teeth were beginning to grit in... Anger?.

[SLAM]

“That’s absolute bullshit!”, Ritsu exclaims as she stomps her right foot onto the floor of the frozen cavern which causes some of the ice to shatter on impact. This causes all of the ponies, and slime, to turn around shockingly. “Friendship?!, acts of loyalty?!, nonsense!”, The Kitsune’s rage was so great that the ponies were horrified upon witnessing their ally’s sudden change in behavior. Ritsu begins to growl furiously thus exposing her fangs in the process, her nails begins to grow and sharpen as if to replicate claws. Most disturbingly was the kitsune’s eyes which dilates and became similar to that of an angered fox, no surprise given her nature. Applejack recovers from her shock, takes on an angered expression, and says:

“What the hay do you mean by that?!, where’s this all coming from Ritsu?!.”, As this is going on, both Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie were hugging each other with saddened expressions. Pinkie Pie in particular had her mane deflated. Suddenly, Princess Pinkie hops off of the shy pegasus and rapidly makes her way towards the enraged Kitsune. Applejack tries to defuse the situation as she says:

“Ritsu!, calm down will ya’?. What in the world has gotten into you?, and how could you say that... Friendship is what makes life all the more-”

“Such a concept is nothing but a lie!, you are all fools to ever believe in-”

”Enough!”, Princess Pinkie exclaims as she manages to sneak up on the kitsune and places a pink tendril onto Ritsu’s lower right leg. At the moment of contact, Ritsu begins to calm down as her ‘Clawed nails’, and her fangs both recedes and hides themselves. The kitsune’s pupils also returns to a normal, neutral state, as she slowly regains her composure and says, with tears beginning to form in her eyes:

“W-what?... Why did I... I’m so sorry...”, Upon saying those words, the Kitsune falls down to the Icey floors of the cavern and begins to sob as she repeats: “I’m so sorry... I’m so sorry... I’m so sorry...”, Ritsu was absolutely devastated and ashamed of her actions, that of which the ponies were still shocked by as they continue to look upon her with confusion and caution along with some sadness.

”By the Slime Gods... You... You’ve suffered a great betrayal.”, Princess Pinkie says as she removes her tendril from the kitsune’s now shaking form.

Ritsu could only shake in sorrow and fear upon what she knew was about to happen next. Her anger has revealed to all of the ponies her inner nature which was fueled by a pain yet unknown to everyone present. Everyone, except Princess Pinkie. The trio of ponies could see it bright as day, something they never wish for any living thing to have to feel in their hearts: Pain, absolute pain. Tears begins to flow down Fluttershy’s cheeks as she stampedes over to the kitsune. Ritsu sees the pegasus’s rapid approach and says internally:

-She’s coming to do it, isn’t she?. The same thing they all do when they see--

The chilling temperature of the cavern suddenly became much more bearable as Ritsu feels a new source of warmth wrapping itself around the weeping kitsune. Her words were cut off by this action as she turns to see Fluttershy hugging her with tears flowing like a river. Applejack and Pinkie Pie follows the pegasus’s example as they too join in on the hug which results in a joined group of warmth and, for the ponies, love.

“Ah’m so sorry... I don’t know what you went through... But ah’ can see it.”, Applejack says as she closes her eyes in sorrow.

“No- [SNIFF] Nopony should ever feel like you do... I can’t stand seeing someone sad, I want to see you happy.”, Pinkie Pie says as she pulls out a box of tissues from her mane and blows her nose into a tissue. “Does anyone need one?”, The party pony offers.

“W... Why?, why are you all doing this?. Just leave me be...”

“That’s enough of that Ritsu!”, Applejack exclaims as she pulls away from the hug, gets onto her hooves, and looks down upon the kitsune with an expression of anger mixed with concern. “We thought you’d know by now, haven’t we told you already?. We’ve said this multiple times and ah’m about to say it again, so perk up those fox ears of yer’s. You. Are. Our. Friend. We don’t leave friends in their misery and sadness which you clearly are suffering from. Now, I’m not gonna demand an explanation yet, especially since we’ve got’ta job to do, but as yer’ friend ah’ want to know what’s been hurtin’ you so much that you’d explode like that out’ta nowhere.”

Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy both nods in agreement as they too break away from the group hug and joins Applejack, up on their hooves. Princess Pinkie hops onto Fluttershy’s back as she then says:

”I do not doubt these ponies, not even for a second. Their bonds are incredible and it’s enough to even make a slime like me be pulled into its warmth, especially Goddess Fluttershy’s. Whatever pain you have that eats away at your heart, I swear upon the Slime Gods, these ponies will save you from it. You just have to let them into your heart, just like I let Fluttershy into mine... And I don’t regret it for a second.”

“Awww, thank you Princess Pinkie. I really appreciate it.”, Fluttershy says with a beaming smile.

“Yepperoni!, I couldn’t have said it better myself!. So now it’s time for you to smile Foxy, oh!, can I call you foxy!?”, Pinkie Pie questions which causes her fellow ponies to chuckle. Applejack walks forward and offers her hoof towards the kitsune, who was still on the floor looking up to the ponies in shock with her tears still flowing down her cheeks. The farm mare asks:

“What do’ya say partner?, will you take my hoof and let us help you through this?. Ah’ don’t like seeing my friends in pain and ah’ know I sound like a broken record, but, you’re my friend, Ritsu.”, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, who was now hopping happily in place, nods in agreement and anxiously awaits Ritsu’s response.

To say that Ritsu was shocked would be an understatement. She expected the ponies to reject her, to fear her, to call her a monster for her actions. But then she realized, how could they?. They never once suggested that they’d dislike her based on her looks or what she is, heck, there’s a slime Princess sitting on the back of the yellow pegasus’s body. If they could accept a slime, why couldn’t they accept her?. Not to mention the fact that they even befriended Gex, a lihzahrd. There was one simple factor in all of this: She never truly gave them the chance to prove themselves. This fact dawns on the kitsune whos face turns from sadness to happiness as she smiles contently, raises her right hand, and takes Applejack’s offered hoof as the cowmare helps Ritsu back onto her feet.

-I suppose... I should test the waters.-

Ritsu states internally as she sighs lightly, confidently adjusts her stance, and says:

“Forgive me everyone. I unfairly judged you by my past experiences... I should’ve known better, especially after everything we went through in The Jungle. I probably look like the biggest idiot right now, huh?”

“Naw, don’t you beating yer’self up about it Ritsu. We’re all here for ya’, all we ask, is that you tell us the truth so we can help you.”

“Applejack’s right, tell us!. Ooh, ooh, can we play a guessing game?!. Ok, uhm, you’re a mermaid who fell in love with a Prince who sadly died?!, am I right?!”, Pinkie Pie’s words causes everyone to laugh hysterically, including Ritsu.

“Um, I don’t think that’s it Pinkie.”, Fluttershy replies as she recovers from her laughter. Ritsu also manages to recover as she beams a smile and says:

“Ok, I’ll tell you guys. I’m going to cut it short but to put it simply, many terrarian’s judge me for my true form.”

“Wait, your true form?”, Applejack question’s.

“Yes, you see, the form standing before you now is more or less my suppressed form. In this state I have access to half of my strength and my appearance is, well, friendlier. On the night of a full moon or even when I am consumed entirely by anger, my body transforms. I become a much larger entity, probably three to five times my current height and size, imagine a very large fox who can walk and run on both two and four legs.”

(Image belongs to its respective owner)

“There was an event that happened some time ago, back when I was still a full on adventurer. I was a member of a guild called: The Order Of The Guide. I wasn’t there for long though which explains why Tanner didn’t recognize me back in Home Town. Me and my... Friends, went on a mission to protect a Traveling Merchant caravan. We got very lucky and escorting them to their location went rather smoothly. However, it was coming back that was the problem.”

“Oooooh, what happened?. [MUNCH] Anyone want some popcorn?”, Pinkie pie asks as everyone suddenly realizes her munching on the aforementioned snack. Ritsu was momentarily dazed by this as she then takes a deep breath before she continues:

“Anyway, on our way back it was close to becoming nightfall as we were chatting amongst ourselves about our recent mission. Suddenly, we were surrounded by a large group of bandits who laid in wait and were pretty adamant about killing us all. There seemed to be no way out for us and to be honest with you... I just wanted the bandits to end it quickly. Although, judging by their lustful gaze... They probably had other plans for me. I was one of the only two female members of the group, after all. All seemed loss... Until luck would smile upon me and my, at the time, friends. The full moon.”

“Oh my... Did you transform?”, Fluttershy question’s.

“I did... And I’ll spare you all the details but it was very, gory, to say the least. However, even In that state I can still tell the difference between friend and foe. It’s not like a werewolf who loses their mind and tears away at everything in sight, that’s the biggest advantage of a werefox, you could say. I saved us from the bandits, but, my friends turned on me.”

[GASP]

“What?!” - Fluttershy.

“You saved their lives!, how could they do that?!” - Applejack.

“They sound like nothing but a bunch of meanies!” - Pinkie Pie.

”I understand...”, Princess Pinkie says which causes the ponies to look towards the slime with a surprised expression. ”There’s a saying among the terrarians that goes well with situations like these, if I recall correctly: ‘People fear what they do not understand’. The reaction of those adventurers were uncalled for, but, I can also understand their reaction as well. We slimes have also been at the receiving end of these situations.”

“That’s right Princess Pinkie... But, what happened next is what made me the very monster they claimed me to be.”, Ritsu replies which causes her to cover her face in shame. Applejack decides to question her, in an effort to make her continue, as she asks:

“Ritsu, what happened sugar?. You can tell us, ah’m sure it can’t be-”

“I killed them!, ok?!. I killed them because they tried to kill me!, they instantly called me a monster just because of my form even though I was never a danger to them!. We were friends!, we went on many different missions together!. I saved them for Terra’s sake!, and yet, they still drew their blades and aimed their magics at me as if I were no different than those bandits. They just suddenly forgot that we were comrades, friends, all because of my transformation. But, hey, when you have large teeth and claws I guess you’re automatically ‘The Monster’, right?. [SIGH] They judged me before they even got to know me. You know what the worst part is?, even after I transformed I tried to talk to them just like I’ve always done in this form. Want to know what they told me?”

“...”, The ponies all remained silent with shocked expressions which prompts Ritsu to continue:

“Silence monster!, we don’t care what you have to say!. Your friendship means nothing to us now, you’re nothing but a beast!’. That’s what they told me before they attacked me!. That’s why I decided it was best to leave The Guild and retreat to The Jungle after I... Killed them. I was defending myself but no one would ever believe that the monster is innocent, why would they?. That’s not role of the monster after all, right?.”

The ponies were all simply shocked. They could not believe the story that was just told to them, to hear of such an action from both parties. Surprisingly, It was Fluttershy who manages to recover from the shock and walks up to Ritsu, looking right into the kitsune’s eyes.

“Well Fluttershy... Go on, now that you all know the truth... Punish the monster. Go ahead, punch me or kick me, whatever the hell you pegasus’s do. Come on!, slay the mons-”

“Shut up!”, Fluttershy replies exclamational which causes Applejack and Pinkie Pie to watch with surprised gazes, their mouths hung agape. “You are not a monster Ritsu!, you defended yourself against people who wanted to hurt you. Sure, you retaliated against them which resulted in their deaths but you have the right to!.”, The shy pegasus then flies into the air; right into the arms of the kitsune. “I’m so sorry for what happened to you and what they did was wrong. I admit, I do feel that you shouldn’t have retaliated like you did, but you know what?, I forgive you. You’re not a monster in my eyes, you’re still my friend.”

“F-forgive me?, why would you need to forgive me?. None of you did anything wrong to me, I’d say you’re the nicest beings on this planet.” - Ritsu.

“Because you need someone to tell you this so you can stop punishing yourself. Asking me to hit you is proof of that. Ritsu, I want you to know that no matter what happens, no matter what you transform into, so long as you remain the Ritsu we know, our friend, we will never abandon you.” - Fluttershy.

“R-really?...” - Ritsu.

“Yes!, we don’t care if you transform into a giant fox under a full moon or when you get really angry. We are your friends not because of how you look, but because we like you. If being a giant werefox is part of that, then so be it.” - Fluttershy.

“Darn right!, ah’ don’t care one bit about yer’ appearance. Ah’ like ya just fer’ who ya’ are.” - Applejack.

“Me too, me too, I like you a lot Foxy!.”, Pinkie Pie exclaims as she raises her left front hoof into the air and hops happily in place. “So what if you become a big fox?, you’re just Mega Foxy now!, Oh!, that should be your name when you transform!”

“T-thank you... All of you... I don’t know what else to say. Just, thank you so much.”, Ritsu says as she smiles happily with tears threatening to leave her eyes. After wiping her tears, the kitsune takes a deep breath and sighs lightly in an effort to regain her composure. She then clears her throat and says: “I’m ok now, thank you all again. Come on packmates, we’ve got a mirror to find.”

“Oh, um, Packmates?. We appreciate that Ritsu, but, I thought a group of foxes were called a skulk?”, Fluttershy question’s.

“True, but I’m not exactly your traditional fox. A fox is a sneaky predator, pretty intelligent too. I don’t need to be sneaky and prefer the good old ‘In your face’, approach.”, Ritsu replies as she poses confidently which prompts the ponies and slime to laugh together, the kitsune joining in soon after.

After a short while, the group continues their search as they make their way through the icy cavern. Ritsu watched the three ponies, and slime, in front of her as they chatted amongst themselves. A huge smile appears on the kitsune’s face as she says internally:

-For as long as I live, I will use all of my strength to protect you... My precious packmates-

Fluttershy glances back towards the kitsune and slows down her pace, all the while, Applejack and Pinkie Pie are starting a game of I Spy. The shy pegasus purposely allowed the kitsune to catch up with her as she says:

“Hey, um, Ritsu?”

“Yes Fluttershy?”

“I meant everything I said back there, we all did. I just want to make sure you know that.”

“I do now, my friend. In fact, I see you all as so much more than just friends, you’re my packmates now which is a step above for a kitsune. I thought that... When I revealed my true form, my story, you’d all abandon me. And yet, you all still accepted me... I will forever be grateful for this.”

“It’s no problem at all, Ritsu. [GIGGLE] You know... You remind me of somepony I, um, care about a lot. He went through something similar to what you did, ponies would judge him pretty badly just because of how he looked and this was before he did, well, bad things.”

“Really?, who?”

“Discord.”

Author's Note:

Character inventory/equipment:

Twilight: Staff Of Sapphire, Magic Hat (equipped), Mystic Robe (equipped), Silver pickaxe, Silver axe, 5x Dynamite, 5x Mana Potion, Rocket Boots (equipped), Slime Mount (equipped), Seabound Staff, Barinade, Storm Spray, Aquatic Discharge, Scourge Of The Desert, Dune Hopper, Sand Cloak, Victory Shards x14, Aero Stone (equipped)

Starlight: Staff Of Sapphire, Magic Hat (equipped), Mystic Robe (equipped), Starfury, Silver pickaxe, Silver axe, 5x Dynamite, 5x Mana Potion, 5x Health Potion, Rocket Boots (equipped), Slime Mount (equipped), Seabound Staff, Barinade, Storm Spray, Aquatic Discharge, Scourge Of The Desert, Dune Hopper, Sand Cloak, Victory Shards x14, Aero Stone (equipped)

Rarity: Staff Of Sapphire, Flinx Staff, Magic Hat (equipped), Mystic Robe (equipped), Silver pickaxe, Silver axe, 5x mana potion, Rocket Boots (equipped), Slime Mount (equipped)

Fluttershy: Slime Staff, Flinx Staff, Finch staff, Silver pickaxe, Silver axe, 5x health potion, Slime Mount, Full set of bee armor (pony, equipped), Hornet Staff, Beenades x5, Honeyed Goggles (equipped), Nectar, Honey Comb (equipped), Hive Wand, The Bees Knees, Bee Keeper, Bee Gun.

Rainbow Dash: Full set of silver armor (pony, equipped), Silver shortsword, Musket, enchanted balloon, Silver pickaxe, Silver axe, 5x Dynamite, Minishark, 5x Health potion, Slime Mount (equipped), Seabound Staff, Barinade, Storm Spray, Aquatic Discharge, Scourge Of The Desert, Dune Hopper, Sand Cloak, Victory Shards x14, Aero Stone (equipped)

Applejack: Full set of silver armor (pony, equipped), Silver pickaxe, Silver axe, 5x Health potion, Rocket boots (equipped), Rope, Slime Mount, Blade Of Grass, Full set of bee armor (pony), Hornet Staff, Beenades x5, Honeyed Goggles (equipped), Nectar, Honey Comb (equipped), Hive Wand, The Bees Knees, Bee Keeper, Bee Gun.

Pinkie Pie: Full set of silver armor (pony, equipped), 2x Silver shortsword, Silver pickaxe, Silver axe, 5x Health potion, Rocket boots (equipped), Slime Mount, Full set of bee armor (pony), Hornet Staff, Beenades x5, Honeyed Goggles (equipped), Nectar, Honey Comb (equipped), Hive Wand, The Bees Knees, Bee Keeper, Bee Gun.

Zecora: Flinx Staff, Blowgun, Javelins, Silver Pickaxe, Silver axe, Rocket boots (equipped), various potions, Full set of bee armor (zebra, equipped), Hornet Staff, Beenades x5, Honeyed Goggles (equipped), Nectar, Honey Comb (equipped), Hive Wand, The Bees Knees, Bee Keeper, Bee Gun.

Comments

[Loganic]

YES. MY SPOT HAS RETURNED TO ME! Anyway I have no idea what that abomination is and backstory for werefox is sad :(. Anyway I feel like something bad might happen now that Fluttershy mentioned Discord around Ritsu.

[Pomp-Neigh]

10586920

We shall see what happens!

[-Pinkamena_Pie-]

Heheh... Oh, I am gonna enjoy hanging around with 'Foxy'.

[Pomp-Neigh]

10586995

That you will. That. You. Will.

[aRandomBoy]

This chapter is emotional but I do not cry! *5 seconds later*

[Pomp-Neigh]

10587005

[Snow Frostfang]

10586920
the abomination is known as The Perforators, they're the crimson counter part of the HIVE MIND.

10587032
also could i add the fact that i too would like to be a werefox

[Pomp-Neigh]

10587069

I can arrange that when I allow fans of the story to join. I'm going to list the option's of humanoid races and yes, being a werefox/kitsune is canon to Terraria/this story. As is a werewolf.

[Loganic]

10587069
Gahsp. But misspelled.

[Legioner8]

“Really?, who?”

“Discord.”

Ritsu stops Fluttershy, reaches into Pinkie’s mane, pulls out a glass of water, takes a long sip...
And does a spit-take!

[Pomp-Neigh]

10587538