> The Crab Who Was Summoned to Equestria > by Scootaboom1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1 The Everfree Forest > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Craysan When the final day of YGGDRASIL had finally arrived, I had decided to spend the last day taking a walk around the various landscapes of the game world. While I was making my way through one of the forest a glowing hole opened up below me just a few seconds before the server shutdown. As I fell through the hole and found myself in the night sky falling down to a forest of some kind. I could probably pull out a magic item for flight before I hit the ground, but the fall was also unlikely to hurt me so I didn't even try. But I did question one thing. Where was my menu? When I questioned this all the information on how to use my character skills they seemed to fill my mind, but before I could do anything about falling I hit the ground. When I landed the knowledge on how to move my body fully entered my mind. I dug myself out of the hole I had ended up in when I landed. Standing on my four legs I looked around the forest I had landed in when I heard growling from behind me. Looking back I saw what looked to be five wolves made out of wood. When the first one lunged at me I brought my arm down on it, crushing it almost completely. This seemed to nearly discourage the other four from attacking me, but rather than killing them I used my intimidation skill to scare them off. Due to my crustacean scavenger racial class I was able to identify a large number of dangerous plants and the ones I could eat. For now though I need to have a plan of action. First I needed to find a body of water which I could rest in, preferably one with a food source of it's own. The first one that I found was a river that seemed to pass through the entire forest. It seemed like a good place to stay at first, but I was not sure if it was used as a travel route of some kind. The second appeared to be a bog of some kind with the main predatory species being a giant sub species of hydra with only four heads. After I used my intimidation skill to scare off the first few they started to keep their distances including the once which never approached me to begin with. What's more is since I am a species of bottom feeder the bog was unbelievably filled with food as far as I was concerned. My instincts told me that most of the natural predators in this forest were nocturnal, so I decided that I would resume my investigation in my morning. When morning finally arrived I took a few good stretches to limber myself up and set out. Despite my massive size I tried to be as sneaky as I could be while standing at a massive 4.8 meters tall. I encountered an a zebra alchemist who realized that I was trying to sneak past them and they chose to ignore me but not before she tried to call out in greeting. While I was using skills to minimize the chance of being detected living in this forest has clearly given her a high awareness for her surroundings. Shortly after I had passed her I decided to go back to her and apologize for not introducing myself. I was sparse with the details about myself but since she didn't appear to be the type to pry on anothers' past, plus she was willing to tell me about the world I have found myself in after I explained how I feel through a hole. To repay Zecora for all the information she had given me I gave her a few low tier healing potions from YGGDRASIL. She had also offered to introduce me to the local Princess who may be able to send me home, but I declined for the time being so that I could get my story straight. I had considered the option to return home but there are too many potential issues. For one I had no idea what happened to my human body or how the world would react to me if I returned with the body of my YGGDRASIL avatar. Not to mention this world seems to have more options for moving up in the world for me if I wanted to. Plus this world was not a irradiated waste land. Right, so I have the character back story I came up with to use in YGGDRASIL, but now I have to work in a reason to not go back. As I thought about it I realized that my character backstory actually fits in quite well. A few days had passed while I chose my course of action. Though I had originally planned to have Zecora introduce me to the local Princess it appeared that I would not have to. When I was walking near the edge of the Everfree Forest I had hoped to get a view of the place known as Ponyville three cries for help dru my attention. I followed the cries and found three fillies. If I recalled what Zecora had told me they were known as the cutie mark crusaders the younger sisters of Princess Twilights' friends. They were fleeing from what looked to be some of those wood wolves, but they made a comment that had concerned me. The yellow asked what timber wolves were doing in this part of the Everfree Forest during this time of year. Was it my fault? I had been using my intimidation skill to scare them off without a fight, could I have accidentally have driven them from their migration route. Regardless I had to do something. Apple Bloom As the timber wolves chased us Scootaloo had bumped the scooter against a tree root, throwing us off balance and caused us to fall out. Spraining my ankle on the fall I thought that the timber wolves were going to get me, but then I began to hear whimpering. Between us and the wolves was a large creature that I didn't recognize. It took a single step towards them and they ran off in fear. The creature then turned back to us and asked if we were okay. It was absolutely massive. They noticed my ankle and said to let them help with that. Putting one of their arms above it I suddenly felt better. No, I was better. It was like I was never hurt. They then introduced themselves as Craysan a crustacean monk. > Chapter 2 Formal Introductions > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Craysan When the fillies finally processed what happened they began asking me all kinds of questions. I chuckled at their antics and asked what they were doing in the Everfree Forest since to my understanding it was quite dangerous. Apparently Apple Bloom was delivering some baked goods to Zecora as a gift and the other two had chosen to come along. When we arrived at Zecoras' Hut they had offered to have lunch outside so that I eat with them, but I told them that I actually had a magic item for these situations. I reached into my inventory and brought out a ring and put it on. Walking into the doorway my body shrunk down letting me fit in the hut as though it was made for me. The baked treats that the fillies brought tasted better than I could have ever imagined. Another reason to stay as far as I was concerned now. When the crusaders learned that I was planning to move to Ponyville they offered to introduce me. I thought it was a fine idea but I suggested that they tell their sisters first so that none would panic when I revealed myself. I would also show up with Zecora to ensure that there was no confusion with any other crab creature that may potentially appear. As I escorted the crusaders to the edge of forest Scootaloo asked why I didn't just go out with them now. The answer was actually fairly simple. From what Zecora had told me ponies scared easily. I also wanted to make a good first impression by cleaning myself up. Scootaloo looked like she had wanted to ask something else but remained silent. I wonder what that is about? Twilight Sparkle When the crusaders arrived to inform their sisters about what happened they were in a facility meeting with the rest of us. But this Craysan there are so many questions that I had about him. He had apparently called himself a monk, but what does he mean by that exactly? Is he a religious type of monk? Did he mean a martial artist? Or a hermit in search of enlightenment? How did that magic ring work? What other magical things did they have? Regardless Pinkie Pie was already setting up a welcome party for Craysan. From the trail leading to the Everfree Forest from the center of town I could see Zecora next to an absolutely massive crab like creature. The crusaders had told us that he was pretty big, but that may have been an understatement. He stood at least 4.8 meters tall. When he made it to us he started to give a bow which I quickly told him was not necessary. This seemed to put him at ease. The crusaders came to greet him as the party started to get into motion. He had apparently learned from Zecora that Scootaloo couldn't fly, so he wanted to give her a magic item that may help. It was a pendant which would give those who wear it the ability to freely fly through the air. When Scootaloo put on the pendant she immediately activated it and flew off before I could ask if it was safe. Rainbow Dash said that she would keep an eye on her and flew after her. I looked to Craysan and asked if it was really safe for her to fly that fast with it. He looked at me and said that he had never seen anyone fly that fast with one. We remained silent for a little bit before I asked what kind of monk they were. He seemed to give a slight grimace before saying that we should wait until after the festivities for his life story. After the party died down we guided Craysan to my castle and offered him a guest room. When we entered Craysan was so surprised they yelled out, "It's bigger on the inside!?" Turns out that is incredibly impressive to his knowledge. Well... Moving on to his life story and the tale of his world, they were quite the story. Craysan was from a world known as YGGDRASIL which was largely devoured by The World Eater. A group of powerful beings bonded nine of the leaves together, and using two hundred other leaves as linchpins to hold them together. But it was only a temporary solution for until a more permanent one was found. Though none were ever found and the hole he fell through, appeared below him only seconds before it was to disappear forever. As for his own life story... There were many races in YGGDRASIL, but his species was a part of the third and least liked group. Heteromorphic races were born to a base form, but as they grow they will experience great changes based on their skills, personality, environment, and other factors. This meant that siblings that had been identical at birth may look like completely different species when fully grown unless one knew better. When I asked what he meant by monk he said that he had begun traveling in order to attain inner peace. He ended up joining a group of other heteromorphic creatures along with a few others. To fight he would use his missive arms. Eventually he began to perform strange things. One of his companions told him that it was ki. Ki is a form of life energy which could be used to perform a variety of effects. As the moon raised into the sky I asked if he had enough to eat given his size. He said that he ate plenty during the party and he was a creature could make due with little food. His monk training also made him good at getting by with little food. He also planned on getting his own place as soon as possible to not impose. I offered to introduce him to Mayor Mayor in the morning. Before he turned in for the night he gave me a few magic items for me to try and replicate. He apparently didn't really know anything about how they worked, but he asked that I be careful since he only had one of a few. > Chapter 3 Home Owner > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Craysan When I first met with the Mayor she initially seemed to be concerned about my size when it came to finding me a suitable home. Princess Twilight had given me a bit of pocket money for this for letting her study the magic items I gave her. But my magic ring helped with that. The next issue was the real problem. I couldn't breathe outside of water without one of the rings I gave Princess Twilight. I suggested making my residence in a large enough body of water. Though the only one large enough in town that would not make me feel like I was imposing on Princess Twilight. That was the lake in the park. In fact I found something that was perfect. A giant conch shell that stood one and a half ponies tall. With my ring I was able to fit in it no problem. It was a perfect home, mobile even. This meant that I could use it to walk through town without taking up a lot of space. Then the giant octopus attacked me. After scaring it off I walked out to the shore and up to the Mayor I said that it was perfect, even with the octopus that tried to eat me. She chose not to comment on that and just gave me papers to sign. Twilight Sparkle I was taking a walk through Ponyville I saw Craysan in a conch shell. He smiled and waved saying, "Look at me, Craysan the home owner." Wait he couldn't mean the conch shell, could he? Before I could go up and ask him a large number of bowling balls fell on his shell. Looking up I saw Derpy who said, "I just don't know what went wrong." Craysan was sadly looking down at the shattered bits of shell. I repaired it with magic and he seemed happy. I offered to enchant it with magic techniques I had learned from the things he had given me. Once he was back in the conch shell he smiled and said that it would be for the best. I asked if he was really just living in a shell? He said that he technically lived at the bottom of the lake in the park. I signed and with a smile asked how long it took him to make a underwater house and if I could see it. When I asked this he tilted his head to the side and said he didn't know how to make a house, so he had just been sleeping in the conch shell. When I asked why they didn't just get a already vacant home I was shocked by what they told me. One of the magic rings they gave me let them breathe air! When I asked how they were breathing now they said that they could hold their breath for about three months... ... ... ... I recommend that he talk to Silver Stream about getting into contact with a architect skilled in underwater homes. Getting what I had needed from town I let Craysan to the School of Friendship. There we found Silver Stream speaking with her friends. I introduced them to each other before leaving to attend prior arrangements. Gallus When Princess Twilight left Silver Stream offered to take him to Seaquestria to introduce him to a few. He seemed to be curious about Seaquestria but keep most of his questions to himself fortunately. He then apologized for having interrupting our conversation. Ocellus told him that it was no problem and that we were just talking about what kinds of abilities she could give herself with transformation. Craysan suggested an ink sack to help escape from enemies. What is he a squid? Trixie flashed into the middle of us but before she could properly introduce herself she was sprayed in the face with ink. Trixie blinked and shouted, "My eyes!" Before running blindly into the wall knocking herself out. I looked at Craysan and he said, "Sorry, she surprised me." Scratch it, I like this guy. Craysan Seaquestria what beautiful. Though it was designed with the hope of remaining hidden from the surface, to avoid the Storm King. Even so it was quite beautiful. Had I not been lending out magic items to Princess Twilight I may have moved here full time. Though setting up a vacation home my not be out of the question. Maybe even use it for a more permanent residence some day in the future. When talking with the architect we had decided to go with a house that was my normal size, but was designed to accommodate moving around in in my conch shell. I also picked out a few extra conch shells that I had already confirmed were free to take. As I returned to Ponyville with the architects who's materials I was carrying in my inventory. I was glad that I had not been a mage or some other classes that should know how the ability worked lore wise. As construction began under the surface of the lake Princess Twilight approached me with a case. Showing me the contents of the case I saw my breath ring surrounded by a few simpler rings. Princess Twilight claimed that the extra rings had the same effect. She wanted me to have a set of extra rings encase I lost my original. > Ch 4 Punch It > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Craysan I had been living in Equestria for just under two years now. While I would occasionally spend the period of time in Seaquestria I enjoyed spending time in Ponyville. While I enjoyed the liveliness of the hippogriffs and sea ponies, but it was simply to much for me for a prolonged time. Ponyville on the other hand only had the occasional issue involving a monster from the Everfree Forest. I could handle such things myself, and as a result I have become quite well liked. Though there had not been any major threats since I had arrived. I was honestly glad about that. Even if I did enjoy a good boss fight I would much rather live a peaceful life. Sometimes I would be join expeditions to parts unknown since I had gained the needed skills in YGGDRASIL. Because of my strength I was kept up to date with important matters. This is why I had been informed of it. A meteor was falling to Equestria, and the speed of impact would be catastrophic. They had been trying to see if they could stop it with magic, but they have not been working out. According to what they have learned there is a living thing in there. I want to help my friends. But is there anything that I can do? ... ... ... What am I talking about, of course I can. Twilight Sparkle My friends and I were discussing what we could do about the meteor and the so called tarrasque inside it. We were about to call for Discord when he appeared. I asked if he could stop the meteor from destroying Equestria. Discord chuckled and said, "I don't need to do anything. In fact, Craysan should be flying up to punch it right now." Discord looked at a sundial drawn on his wrist as he said that. I sighed in releaf before the realization hit me. "He's doing WHAT!?" I looked out the window and saw a speck flying towards the meteor at incredible speed. Craysan As I flew towards the meteor I looked to my thin pincer. Using one of my skills it bulked up to the size of my torso. I then equipped my gauntlet and started preparing various buffs. I pulled my arm back. As the distance between me and the meteor decreased I began to throw my punch. Twilight Sparkle Massive cracks appeared in the meteor and it's decent slowed. When it finally reached the ground it had landed in a clear area. There was a rumble from it landing but it was far better than it could have been. But Craysan was directly under it. Later on... I couldn't believe that Craysan has died, and all we had for the funeral was an arm. While I would want this gathering to just be a celebration of my students pacifying the tarrasque. Though given that we only got that far thanks to his sacrifice. Looking over the ball room I saw the many creatures gathered here to celebrate. Tapping a glass I called for all their attention. Clearing my throat I said, "We gather here to celebrate six young heroes. But before that I would like to commemorate Craysan who gave his life to slow the meteors' decent..." Craysan enters the room and said, "I died. Why didn't anyone tell me." I felt my eye twitching. How? I asked Discord why he said Craysan was dead. Discord said that he only found the arm and nothing else, not that he confirmed Craysan was dead. When I asked Craysan how he got a new arm he looked confused and he said that he was a giant crab creature. When I asked what he meant by that he regrew limbs. Before anyone could react he cut off on of his arms. This caused everyone to gasp but before we could react he leaned forward while growning as a new arm shot out of his body. From somewhere in the room I could hear Gallus say, "I like this guy."