Tails and Amaterasu enter the Tsuta Ruins, seeing the place filled with leaves, a giant tree, and purple water. Tails could still feel something was wrong, and he still didn't like it. Amaterasu place a hand on his shoulder, worried that something was wrong with him.
Amaterasu then walks up to the water and looks at it, smelling it funny.
"WHOA! Amaterasu, get back!" Tails shouted, grabbing and pulling the Goddess away.
"Tails?" She asked as Tails signed.
"Poison." He said, growling.
Amaterasu nods, understanding what he means. Tails looks at the poison before he heard something appear in his head.
"Agent of Chaos, destroy the Goddess. It's your birthright! Destroy her and receive your true power!"
Tails grab his head, feeling something trying to control him. However, it was weak and he was able to fight it off.
"Tails?" Amaterasu asked, checking on him.
"I'm fine." He said, shaking his head.
"That's a pretty oddly shaped statue. Look at all that moss. Must've been here for ages. And what's up with that weird water? I don't think you wanna go jumping in there, furball. How 'bout drawing some lily pads so we can check it out?" Issun said, looking at the state before turning back to his friends.
"I wouldn't bother with that, Issun." Tails said, confusing him.
"What do you mean, fox boy?" Issun asked.
"As I stated, the water is poison. The Lily Pad won't make it. We need to clear the poison first. To do that, we need to find where the poison is coming from." Tails told him.
"Hmm, agreed. I can see why the others call you Wise Tails." Amaterasu said, nodding.
Tails blush, causing Amaterasu to giggle. Issun sighs before hopping on Amaterasu's head. With that, the two decide to head to the right. They spot some Cursed Trees, but they quickly dealt with them. Seeing that there was a higher ledge, Amaterasu got ready to draw a lily pad, but Tails stopped her.
"I'll fly us up. Let's save your brush powers for the fights." Tails told her.
Amaterasu nodded as she wraps her arm around Tails's shoulder. Trying not to blush with how close she was to him, Tails spin his tails and flew up to the higher ledge. He set her down as she nods in thanks before seeing a stone sphere. Before they could get close, the ground shook before another Demon appear. It looked like the buds they have opened before, but now had a body consisting of a transparent pink bud surrounding a red fruit and adorned with several large leaves. Its head is bright red and lionlike, with a pair of spiraling yellow horns sprouting from the top. It has four wooden legs ending in sharp claws and a long tail with a spiked ball at the end.
"A Bud Ogre," Amaterasu growls.
"OK! Now look for a chance to use your Celestial Brush! Still, this thing's sure got a tough bud! Wonder if you could open its bud before you attacked it?" Issun said before thinking of a way to beat it.
"Worth a shot!" Tails said as his tails dripped with ink.
The Bud Ogre threw an orb that the Cursed Trees threw, and slash it back, knocking it back. Both Tails and Amaterasu attacked it until it lost its color. They use their Bloom ability and defeated the Orge. The sphere turned back to normal, and they two push it back into place. The door opens and they enter through it. They were attacked by two more Bud Orges, but they spit the Orges between them before defeating them both. Once the area clear up, they spotted a few mushrooms appearing.
"Wow! Get a load of the size of these mushrooms! I kinda feel sorry for 'em, though. It's so gloomy in here. I bet a little sunshine is all it would take to perk 'em up." Issun said, making Tails look around.
"Hey! There's a crack! Up there!" Tails said, pointing.
Amaterasu looks up and drew the sun. As the light shines on the mushrooms, they grew bigger, allowing them to reach the next floor. They climb up the mushrooms before coming to a long path. Both Tails and Amaterasu walked down the path, keeping an eye out for anything.
"A-Ammy, T-Tails... Hold on a sec. My nose's felt all itchy since those huge mushrooms back there. Ah... Ah... Ah-choo! Dang it!" Issun said before sneezing.
The sneeze was heard through the area and a loud noise was heard behind them. Tails and Amaterasu looks before them and saw that the path behind them was starting to fall apart!
"RUN!" Tails shouted before they both took off.
Tails was spinning his tails behind him, making it look like he was hovering off the ground. Amaterasu was on all fours, running like an actual wolf. They saw another door before entering through it. Once the door close behind them, the noise stopped and they took a minute to catch their breaths.
"Sorry about that." Issun quickly said, knowing it was his fault.
"It's fine, Issun. It could happen to any one of us." Tails said, not mad.
"Indeed." Amaterasu agreed.
After getting their breath back, they kept exploring until they reach a lock that had a mouth with teeth and a single eye.
"Wow, now that's a face only a mother could love." Tails said, making Amaterasu giggle.
"Hey, this door has some sorta weird lock on it. Hmm, that's no ordinary lock. I sense strong evil at work here." Issun said.
"As do I. We need to find something to get rid of it." Amaterasu said, looking at it.
"How about we try looking down there?" Tails asked, pointing to the lower level.
Amaterasu nodded before they jumped down. They then spotted a huge stone wall, with two arms, dots for eyes, and a huge crack for a mouth.
"Ga-ha! I am Blockhead! I guard this place so that all shall pass! Er, wait... Make that, none shall pass! Do you really think you can penetrate my air-tight defense? Ha! Impossible! Nothing can harm this body of mine! Of course, there ARE those weak points of mine. A clean blow there would slay me in an instant! But I wouldn't be foolish enough to expose such a weakness! Now be on your way! None shall not pass!" It said.
"I can see what it called blockhead." Tails said, rolling his eyes.
Amaterasu nodded before hitting Blockhead. Her eyes spotted the glowing spots before taking out her brush and poked them. Tons of cracks appear on Blockhead causing it to flinch in surprise.
"Huh!? Were my weak points so obvious? I have failed, but let it be known I died a warrior's death." It said before blowing up.
"I'm not sure that would be called a Warrior's Death." Tails said before they step through.
They soon came across a key that was in the shape of an arrow.
"What is this?" Tails asked.
"This looks like an Exorcising Arrow for driving away evil. Hmm, but its tip is shaped like a key. In any case, I do sense its divine power for driving away evil." Issun said.
Amaterasu picks up the arrow, feeling the divine power coming from it. Strangely, Tails felt weak when he got near it. As if the arrow was trying to keep him away.
"Tails?" Amaterasu asked, seeing him place a hand on the wall.
"The arrow is affecting me for some reason. I don't think I can fly with that so close to me." He said, trying to fight the feeling he was having.
Amaterasu grew worried, if the arrow was trying to force Tails away, then there was something evil attached to him. But she didn't want him to leave. She places the arrow in her robes before trying to walk over to him.
"Amaterasu, please, stay back. I can still feel the arrow's power. Until we use it, I don't think I can be near you." Tails said, feeling his body starting to hurt.
Amaterasu backed away, sadden. Whatever evil was holding him, was very strong. She hopes she could find a way to free him. They started to head back through the area, with Tails staying behind Amaterasu to keep the arrow's power from affecting him. He didn't understand it. When he was near other holy items, he didn't feel like this. Yet, he could feel that the arrow was trying to drive him away as if it was trying to destroy him.
Amaterasu looked behind her, worried for her friend. She refuse to believe that something evil was holding on to Tails. He was so nice and kind, no evil being would keep that act up for long. Plus, it would have attacked her while she was still weak. If it was trying to earn her trust, then she'll be ready for anything.
They climb back up to the path where Issun's sneeze destroys the path.
"Wow, this bridge is a complete wreck. But for you, it's a piece of cake to take care of this, isn't it?" Issun said, looking at Amaterasu.
He, too, was worried about Tails. He didn't believe anything evil was holding him. He actually likes the fox. Young, but with a good head on his shoulders. Amaterasu reached the lock that started to shake violently as it sense the arrow. Amaterasu pulled out the arrow as it stuck in its eyes, turning. The lock was destroyed and the bars moved. No longer sensing the arrow, Tails steps next to Amaterasu, feeling better.
"Are you okay?" She asked.
"Yeah, I just don't know why it would try to drive me away. I mean, I'm not evil. Am I?" Tails said, then asked.
"No, if there is something evil about you, then I will use all of my power to drive it out of you. You're my friend, Tails. You're brave, smart, and strong. I care too much about you to lose you to the side of evil." Amaterasu said, grabbing his hands.
Tails look to the side, blushing a bit. He looks back at Amaterasu, seeing her eyes. He remembers the first time he looked into those eyes. Before they knew it, they were leaning close to each other, their eyes starting to close.
"Hey! We have something to do! Save the mushy stuff for later!" Issun said, jumping up and down.
Tails and Amaterasu look at him before sighing. They entered past the door and saw a huge area with three demon gates. Knowing they take care of them, they destroy the gates one by one. Once the gates were gone, giant mushrooms appear and Amaterasu shine the sun on them.
They climb up and heard the sound of a waterfall. However, it was purple, like the water. They climb up and spotted four jars pouring out poison into the water.
"Check out these pots! Poisonous water's spilling outta them! I bet this is what's been harming the natural beauty amid the ruins!" Issun said.
"Agreed. Let's get rid of them." Tails said, making Amaterasu nod.
They use their power slashes, destroying the jars. Without the jars pouring poison into the water, it started to clear up. Tails look into the water, smiling. He scoops some water into his hand and drinks a small amount.
"Nice and clean. Just the way I like it." He said.
'Strange. It felt like I have known about this before. Like someone purposely did this before. Why?' He added in thought.
Amaterasu touched his shoulder, making him snap out of his thoughts. Tails smiled before standing up.
"Looks like the poison that was polluting this water has completely cleared up! Now it looks like a great place for a swim! There's even a waterfall! I bet it'd be loads of fun to go straight down it!" Issun said, smirking to himself.
He quickly notices Tails's and Amaterasu's playful smiles and tried to save himself.
"Ah... What I meant was a playful dog like Ume might do that. I-I haven't forgotten about what we're looking for. Have you? And, of course, heh heh heh... I haven't given up on hunting down some treasure, either!" He said, making the roll their eyes.
"You know a ride down does sound like fun. Plus, it looks as if it could carry us back to the entrance." Tails said.
Amaterasu looked surprised before nodding. She drew a lily pad big enough for her and Tails to sit on before ridding the water back to the entrance. Issun was the only one to notice their hands touching each other.
After the waterfall, which Tails flew into with air to help Amaterasu draw another lily pad, they enjoy the ride back. Both of them snuck peeks at each other, turning away before they could notice. They once peek at the same time and turn away, blushing. Issun rolled his eyes, knowing that the two liked each other. He was trying to make sure they focus on the mission before they make any lovey-dovey moments. Still, he did hope those two will tie the knot one day.
Once they reach the entrance, they notice some stones where the poisoned water was.
Nodding, they jumped cross, entering the cave. It was pretty big, with three stones and three patches of grass giving off evil energy.
"Amaterasu," Tails said, making the She-Wolf nod.
Together, they clear the patches of grass before a light shined on them.
"Hey, look! That light. There's a constellation here, too!?" Issun asked.
Seeing the constellation, Amaterasu fills in the missing stars, seeing a third monkey appearing, this time holding a pair of cymbals. He tosses them up before jumping to the ground, joined by his brothers. He held his hands out, catching his cymbals. However, he notices that he was missing one and looks up. Seeing that his other one was thrown the wrong way, he quickly rushes after it. He ran behind a mountain as he caught, making Tails and Amaterasu sweatdrop.
"Ah, Amaterasu. Origin of all that is good and mother to us all. I, Tsutagami, the last in the triumvirate of Hanagami flora gods, have humbly awaited your glorious return for 100 years. May the fresh spring growth bloom from your snow-white form. Bring new life to the land that suffers under evil." He said before they turned to Tails.
"Father Kitsune, please be careful. An evil Power is trying to turn you against us. You have done well so far, but you must never give in." They said before giving Amaterasu her power.
Amaterasu was surprised to hear what they said and grew worried. Something was trying to take control of Tails?! It was trying to turn her friend against her?! She couldn't let that happen!
"That was Tsutagami, the third and final god of flora! He's the god that can make vines do his bidding! One folktale tells how Tsutagami used that power to tie vines to his body so that he could fly through the air." Issun spoke up.
"Issun..." Amaterasu sighs, wondering if he even heard what they said.
"Hey, that's a Konohana Blossom, the flower of the gods over there! Try making a vine sprout right out of it!" Issun said, seeing a blossom flower appearing.
Amaterasu turns to Tails, who shakes his head.
"I'm fine, Amaterasu." He said, still worried about what the three gods told him.
Amaterasu wasn't sure, but Tails looks up, thinking.
"There's no way I can fly up there. It's way too high. I don't think I can go halfway before I get tired." He said.
Sighing, Amaterasu uses her new vine power to launch herself up. It took a while, but they both reach the top. They exited the statue and notices more floating blossoms as well as hooks on top of the statue.
"Great! We made it to the top, but it's just a dead end!? Hm? What's this? A hook? Doesn't it just make ya wanna tie something to it?" Issun said.
Both Tails and Amaterasu use their new vine power to lift the top of the statue, opening a hole that was hard to see. Without a second thought, they jumped in. They enter an empty and creepy place that made their furs stick up, but started to walk down the path.
"We really gonna go in there? Really? Are you serious? I'm getting a really bad vibe here. What's beyond this door? Are you sure we're ready? Maybe we should go back outside." Issun said, getting a bad feeling.
"We have to move on. Whatever's behind this door, we have to face it." Tails said.
"I'm with you, Tails," Amaterasu said, seeing him nod.
They enter the door and rush out to the opening. However, they stopped when they notices they felt like they were walking on air. They looked down and gasps before falling. Amaterasu landed on her back as Tails fell on top of her. Issun had fallen off of Amaterasu's head and rolled on the ground before hopping up.
"Owww! Nice going, furball! I keep telling ya not to space out like that!" Issun yelled.
But, neither Amaterasu nor Tails heard him. Tails was laying on top of Amaterasu, their noses almost touching. They blush as Tails quickly got off her.
"Sorry!" He said, looking away.
"It's alright! No harm was done." Amaterasu said, her heart beating like crazy.
Issun notices and rolled his eyes. However, both Tails and Amaterasu felt something was in the room with them. Something evil.
"Hey, something moved. Whoa. Check out this big ol' flower. We just might've stumbled onto something here! Flowers like this are usually just packed with treasure!" Issun said before giggling with glee.
"Issun, wait!" Tails said, seeing him hopping towards the flower.
"Hey, is that a dog down there?" Issun said, not seeing a shadow behind him.
Amaterasu wasted no time, she ran on fours, reaching the flower just as Issun notices the shadow. Amaterasu picks him up with her mouth before jumping back. The Shadow threw an attack and Amaterasu back-flip in mid-air, her tail barely touching the attack.
She landed near Tails, who looked ready to fight.
"Hey, lemme go, wolf breath! I'm all covered with your slobber again!" Issun shouted.
She took him out of her mouth before more shadows appeared.
"Check out that shadow! I see 8...Wait, it couldn't be!?" Issun said in shock.
Suddenly the shadows turned into legs as a voice spoke.
"Are you that dog that has been sniffing about? I will not allow you to ruin my master's triumphant return!"
Everyone watched as the Spider Queen turns to face them, surprising Tails a bit.
The Spider Queen walks up to them, growling at the trespassers.
"Sticking your nose where it does not belong will get you killed. Speak your last words, fools!" She said, getting closer.
As Tails looked at the Spider Queen, he couldn't help but make a joke.
"Well, a mixer of spider and flower. You don't see something that is supposed to be beautiful be so ugly." He said, making Amaterasu smile.
"How dare you! Dogs are not usually on my menu, but I shall make you an exception!" The Spider Queen shouted.
"In case you haven't noticed, I'm a FOX!" Tails shouted.
"Whaddya talking about!? I saw that dog you gobbled up! And besides, this ain't no dog! This here is a god!" Issun said, proudly.
"Well now! The beast can speak! Very well, then! I shall send you back to where you came from! This shall not hurt a bit. Stand still for just a moment..." The Spider Queen said, going to attack them.
Both Tails and Amaterasu jumped back before looking at Issun.
"I was joking around, Issun." Tails said.
"And you don't need to speak words for me. Now we need to find a way to beat her." Amaterasu said.
Tails notice the blossoms and the hook at the back of the Spider Queen's bud. He quickly places together a plan.
"Issun, Amaterasu! I got an idea!" He said before informing them.
"That could work," Amaterasu said, after hearing it.
"I like it!" Issun said.
"Alright, let's do it to it!" Tails said, wondering where those words came from.
Both Tails and Amaterasu ran around the Spider Queen. Due to her huge size, she was unable to keep up with them as they circle behind her. Using their vine powers, they hook the vines on the bud before there was enough to open it. The Spider Queen fell to the ground, stunned. Tails and Amaterasu jumped on the bud and saw that it had eyes. Wasting no time, they attacked the eyes. However, Amaterasu felt the flower shake and knew what that met.
"Tails!" She shouted, pushing him off.
"Amaterasu!" He shouted as the bud closed with her inside.
The Spider Queen roars, causing Tails to glare at her.
"GIVE HER BACK!" Tails shouted, rushing at the Spider Queen.
The Spider Queen tried to crush him, but Tails side-step it. As he ran, his four started to turn white, markings appeared on his face as seven more tails appeared behind him. The Spider Queen tried to grab him, but Tails spins around, knocking the hand back with his tails, making the Spider Queen scream in pain. Tails then sent all nine of his tails to the blossoms and drew the vines. The bud opens, stunning the Spider Queen.
Amaterasu lay on the flower as Tails landed close to her. He pick her up as his tails attacked the eyes. Soon all the eyes were destroyed and the Spider Queen screams in pain. Tails jumped back, his looks fading back to normal.
"And thus, Amaterasu was able to traverse the vine-covered ruins and defeat the devious Spider Queen lurking within. The ugly arachnid's body had been turned into a beautiful blossom and a feeling of tranquility reigned throughout the ruins. Inside the hearty blossom was discovered a tiny and defenseless dog, presumably consumed by the fearsome Queen. Just when everything had begun to settle down, Snarling Beast, a weapon long sealed away by the Spider Queen's magic, appeared before Amaterasu's eyes."
Amaterasu had woken as Tails set her down. The new disk weapon came flying toward her before grabbing it.
"The Spider Queen was hiding a sacred weapon! Tricky old bag! Hmm. Maybe we'll get more weapons if we defeat some other monsters! Anyway, I can't wait to see what this one does! Look at that, Ammy! The dog's just sleeping! Wonder if this is Ume. You know, the dog that kid was looking for. Let's bring him back once he wakes up. But first... How about a good victory howl? It might even wake him up!" Issun said.
Amaterasu was unsure, but she felt that she need to do so. And she howled. The minute she did, Tails felt something appear in his head.
FLASHBACK
"Look at that freak!"
"He has two tails!"
"What a weirdo."
A young fox ran from the people that were making fun of him. He couldn't help that he was born with two tails. He couldn't help that he was smarter than kids his age. But no one would take him seriously. They just made fun of him. He run and run until he could run no more. Now alone, he started crying. The Young fox remain where he was until he saw something run past him like the wind. Confused, he looks down the path and saw something blue looking over the area.
"Whew! This place looks amazing! Can't wait to see what kind of adventures I'll find here." It said.
The blue thing turned to the young fox before giving a friendly smirk. It soon rushed off, surprising the young fox.
"Wow! He's so cool!" The fox said, rushing after him, unknowing he made a friend that would treat him like a brother.
Tails snapped out of his memory as Amaterasu help Ume to his feet. That memory, that feeling. It feels so familiar to him. Shaking his head, Tails rush over to help Amaterasu, thinking about it later.
And done! Whew! At long last, I finally finished the Tstua Ruins. Sorry if it's a bit confusing. I was covering the whole dungeon in this chapter, and it took a few hours to write because I had trouble remembering what the dungeon had. And since I'm not too good at explaining the dungeon layout, you can just watch a walkthrough of the Tsuta Ruins or play the dungeon itself on your game systems.
So, what's next? Well, a little more time in the forest before it off to the next part of the story. And Happy Late Birthday, M3TR01D.