Little Pony Legend
Iris' First Quest
Chapter 2
The Quiet Village
The train ride to the location was both full of nerves of fear and excitement for the young guardians. Some, Like Chi and Hiro couldn't wait to get to the Peak to see what they were up against, but others like Iris, Akario and Mai were a bit concerned since they were venturing into really unknown territory, not knowing what to expect and further more, these were creatures that have never been seen since Avatar Wan's time, no since before his time. What could have gone so wrong with these creatures that it would prompt the Map to send them there.
These were most of the thought's weighing on the Princess Avatar's mind as the train went on. So much that she was practically quiet the entire time. She kept on fidgeting and twirling her fingers about until Akari put her hoof on her hands.
"A bit nervous", she asked.
"Yeah", replied Iris, "I mean we are about to see a creature no one has seen in maybe centuries or eons. They were practically isolated from us. How are we even going to introduce ourselves to them. I think this is a bit above our heads."
"Cuz", said Hiro, "If the map didn't think we couldn't handle it, the map wouldn't have sent us there. In fact I think that's what dad would have said."
"You are right", said Mai tipping her hat down, "He would."
Iris took a deep breath and said, "Yeah you are probably right. Maybe everything will be just fine", said Iris.
"That's the spirit", said Chi.
When they reached their destination which was practically at the end of the line, they found it a platform which while made recent, has not seen much use. In fact the group were the only ones there.
"This is the right station", said Mai. "If only we could find a station master to get some clarification."
This comment was followed by the sound of chuckling laughter which frightened them so bad it made them stiffen up and turn slowly. Fortunately it belonged to a old shabby earth pony in a station masters uniform. However it didn't help matters as the pony himself was creepy looking as his voice.
"Well now" he said, "It ain't often folks come to the END OF THE LINE! The final destination. . .THE LAST STOP!"
"Does he have to be so creepy", remarked Hiro as he shook.
"We get the picture", said Gallant to the station master, "Why?"
The station master points off to the peak and said, "Nothing but uncharted terrain and wild beasts out that way." He then laughed evilly and entered the shabby managers office which was no bigger than a latrine.
"Maybe we should go home and think about this", said Chi.
Hiro nodded.
"Come on all of you", said Iris, "We didn't come this way for nothing, besides we are the Gaurdians of Harmony, and I bet this is nothing compared to what happened in the spirit world when we went after Ronin."
"That's my cousin", said Akari. "Let's do this!"
"Iris is right", said Hiro, "This will be a peace of cake."
The group moved onwards and boy was it a challenge. First a small creek, then up boulders and mountains, then through a swamp with swarms of insects, much to Mai and Chi's annoyance, and jumping across a canyon. Soon they saw some cliffs.
"Those must be the peaks of Peril, now if Iris and Akari can fly up there we can. . .", Mai suddenly noticed only she and Chi were the only ones there. "What happened to my brother and everyone else!?"
"I think we got separated after crossing that creek a while back", said Chi.
Mai just groaned and much to her displeasure they went back even through the mud an annoying bugs and they found them. . . helping some squirrels helping them gather flowers.
"There", said Gallant, "Now your tree has plenty of flowers to keep it cozy."
"Uh guys who is frazzled, angry and looking upset", said Hiro.
"No idea, is this a joke", asked Nori.
"No it's my sister", said Hiro pointing a bit nervously.
"Oh boy", gulped Iris. They looked to see said girl looking very annoyed and peeved. She stomped over with Chi at her side and grabbed Iris.
"ARE YOU GUYS CRAZY! We are on a friendship quest, we don't exactly have time to help animals at this point! Now I located the top of the cliff to the peaks of Peril with some rope we might be able. . . ." started Mai.
"Actually. . . .", said Iris "While we were helping them they told us a shortcut they take to the Kirin village.
Mai let Iris go and grinned sheepishly. "Oh. . I see. Uh. . carry on then."
With the squirrels leading the way, the gaurdians made their way easily to a rock and some shrubs. Iris easily removed it and revealed a crack in the wall.
"Oh boy. Uh sorry I lost my temper back there", said Mai.
"It's oaky", said Akari, "If it weren't for you we would be busy with those squirrels all day."
They slowly moved through the crevice and they soon beheld a nice wonderful sight. It was a village, with huts on the ground and in the trees and with stalls of food built of along the river. However it was lacking one thing.
"Where is everyone", asked Akari.
They then heard a shaking in the bushes. A few of them jumped in surprise.
"You think it's a Nirik" asked Hiro.
"We shall see", said Iris she gets herself in a stance. "Okay show yourselves!"
Whatever was making the sound emerged and it was. . . Kirins. They all had the same shape as ponies but they had fur and scales with tails like lions. They had cloven hooves and antlers on their heads. One of them seemed bigger than all others, they assumed that kirin was the leader. They all wore neutral expressions, almost forlorning.
"Well what do you know", said Chi. Iris relaxed herself.
"Greeting Kirin, we are from Equestria and the world you came from, I am Princess Avatar Iris, this is Princess Akari and these are Chi, Nori, Mai, Hiro and Gallant Steed. We were sent to solve any problems you may have", said Iris.
The Kirin just stared. One simply turned it's head.
"Okay unsettling", said Gallant. Then nervously said, "If there is a problem please by all means say something."
Again nothing, not even a simple caugh.
"Silent aren't they", said Hiro.
"Maybe they don't speak our language", said Nori.
"Let me try", said Chi, then slowly she said to the huge one, "DOOOO YOOOOOU UNDERSTAAAAAND THE WOOOOORDS COOOMMMING OOOUT OF MYYYYYY MOUUUUUUUTH?"
The kirin leader finally responded. . . but with a small nod.
"Oh that's good. But. . . . . .you don't talk at all", asked Akari.
The leader again replied. . .with a small shake of her head confirming this.
"Don't. . .or won't", said Hiro suspiciously.
"That's not going to help obviously the only way to get them to talk is with yes or no questions", said Iris.
"Kinda like how your mom talked with Naga", asked Chi.
"No, mom could always tell and read how she was feeling but these Kirin are not displaying any feelings at all", said Iris. "And I should know cause mom taught me how to feel and read emotions."
"That's just great", said Mai, "How can we help if these Kirin won't tell us what it is?"
"There has to to be SOMEWAY of getting them to talk", sighed Akari.
"Let me try something", said Hiro. He approaches a few Kirin doing their work (ie getting water, growing a crop with magic or trying to get a fruit stand ready).
"Hey. . isn't this great weather today or what?" he said with a smile to one of them. But the Kirin just stared blankly. He groans and tries with another.
"Knock Knock" he said. No response. "This is where you say 'who's there.'" Again no reply.
"Police" said Hiro then speaking for the Kirin said, "Police what?" Then speaking for himself, "POLICE WILL YOU TRY TO SAY SOMETHING!?" No response.
"Okay time for the big gun that no one can resist", said Hiro, then acting like he was stuffed said, "OH no oooh oooh AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
All the Kirin looked on but no response. Well there was one response but it was from Chi. "Gesundheit." This earned an annoyed groan from him.
"MAN" said his sister who was also annoyed, "IS THERE ANY KIRIN WHO WILL TALK AROUND HERE!?"
To her surprise the Kirin responded, but not by talking. They parted ways showing a path and then gestured down said path into the woods.
"Well, ask and you shall receive", chuckled Gallant.
"No telling what's down there", said Mai.
"Right", said Iris. "Akari, Hiro and I will go an check this out together and hopefully find a kirin that talks. The rest of you stay here and see if you can find out anything from them. . or perhaps learn anything from them, somehow."
"You got it", said Mai.
To be continued. . . .
