Chapter 123: Heart of the Dragon Part 2: Tail and Talon
Out in the dessert wastelands, over a hill came a group of hunters from Fang, riding on some cat like creatures when the leader of the hunting party, who happened to be Namaari, stopped, finding a piece of jewelry that she recognized and stopped, hopping off her mount and picking the ring up, examining it before clutching it in her hand.
"She's close." Namaari said.
"You sure the scroll is worth the risk?" A voice said.
Namaari looked back and behind her was Laxeaus, a member of Organization XIII and known as the Tacticum Stalwart, his weapon on his back as he looked at the princess.
"That scroll can lead us to Sisu." Namaari replied, standing up. "And to your so called Heart Piece."
"But with all these Druun, she's surely become stone by now." Laxeaus said.
"Maybe, but I want to be sure." Namaari replied, looking down into the chasm and saw the shipwreck. "Come. We have to check it out."
"As you wish princess." Laxeaus replied.
The hunting party went down the slope towards the shipwreck, never noticing that Tuk Tuk was rolling by with Raya and Sisu on him while May used her water magic to create a wave for herself and the ponies to ride on, heading towards a large cliff side, rolling up the stairs as May brought them to the entrance, dispelling the magic and setting down gently.
"Woow, girl you're a natural with water magic!" Sisu said, who was now wearing a cloak and a large hat. "How'd you learn to do that?"
"Trained my whole life to use the power of water and its three forms." May replied. "Spyro helped me to uncover its secrets."
"Man, you must really like this Spyro guy a lot." Sisu said. "Ok, quick question, why am I wearing this?"
"To try and not attract attention." Raya replied.
"Yeah, you picked the right hat for that." Midnight said, both her and Rosy snickering.
"So, what makes you think the Tail chief is here?" Sisu asked.
She then stepped on a trip wire, pulling a chunk of the pillar out and nearly crushing Sisu, but Midnight and Raya rushed forward and tackled Sisu out of the way. Saving her from being a pancake.
"Well, my guess would be all the traps that were set up." Midnight replied, everyone looking back.
"Girls, you ok!?" Twilight exclaimed.
"Yeah, we're fine!" Sisu replied, everyone climbing over the fallen column. "But, why would they set up these kinds of traps? They won't stop the Druun."
"It's not for the Druun." Raya replied. "It's for people."
Raya then moved between the ropes, weaving through them until she reached the other side, motioning for them to come along, which Sisu moved through them without any issue while Twilight teleported everyone else through the jumbled mess of rope, surprising them.
"What?" Twilight asked.
"Oh, nothing." Raya replied. "Just... not use to seeing dragons or talking ponies."
"You think that's cool, wait til you see me do the back stroke." Sisu said. "I'm a great swimmer."
"And Unicorns are powerful magic users." Twilight replied. "Especially me when it comes to magic. So, where do we go from here?"
"We need to head deeper into the tunnel before Sisu gasped, freaking everyone out when she did.
"Oh no!" Sisu said.
"What, what is it!?" Raya asked, looking freaked out.
"We forgot to bring a gift for the Tail Chief." Sisu said.
"I'm sorry, a gift?" Raya asked.
"Yeah, one that says you can trust me, can I trust you?" Sisu said, Raya rolling her eyes.
"Oh, oh, I got tons of gifts we could give!" Pinkie exclaimed.
"Of course you do." Twilight said, watching as she pulled out dozens of presents from her mane, confusing Raya and Sisu.
"Um, how's she able to store all of those in her hair?" Sisu asked.
"Trust me, ya don't wanna find out." Applejack said, a beetle flying on her snout, which she used her hoof and picked it off her face. "Aw, howdy there little feller."
"Oh look, he's showing his booty!" Sisu said, everyone seeing the beetle pointing its rear at them.
"Uh, guys, that's a Tootin Boom." Raya replied.
"Heheha, Tootin, hilarious!" Pinkie exclaimed.
"Why's it called a Tootin Boom?" Twilight asked. She got her answer when the bug farted, everyone disgusted, but Raya pulled Sisu and Applejack away, the fart exploding and knocking everyone down, causing disorientation. "Alright, got it. Explosive farts."
"Well glad you now know because we got more of them." Applejack said.
They all walked towards them and saw a thin corridor that was covered in hundreds of the Tootin Booms, everyone doing their best to not disturb them as they made there way to the main room, which was a bottomless hole with a tree in the middle of it, planted in a small island and with no apparent way across.
"Well, looks like we found the Tail Chief." Raya said, seeing a skeleton in the tree with the gem in her bony hands.
"Yikes, glad Fluttershy isn't here." Twilight said. "What happened to her?"
"Well, my guess is she was hoarding the gem and fell victim to her own traps." Raya replied.
Everyone looked down the hole and found it wasn't bottomless, but had spikes all around it.
"Well, gotta admire her commitment." Sisu said.
Raya then pointed her sword up to the ceiling, everyone wondering what she was doing when it suddenly fired, splitting into multiple pieces and showing it can change into a whip, catching them by surprise.
"Alright, hold on." Raya said, Sisu holding onto her.
As soon as Raya jumped, she was ready to swing over, but Sisu ended up ruining the jump, her other set of paws still on the ledge they jumped from.
"Oh, we were doing a jumpy thing." Sisu said, everyone groaning. "Sorry, my bad."
"This is going to be a long day." May said.
Sisu then jumped, swinging over and landing on the other side right as the tip of the blade came out, safely over.
"Alright, now you guys!" Sisu said.
"Yeah, I got a better idea." May said.
She raised her hand into the air and swirled it around, creating water from thin air as she waved her hand forward, hitting the ledge of the cliff and the water flowed over the gap, freezing as it went making an ice bridge they could cross.
"Wow, could have done that sooner, don't ya think?" Sisu asked.
"Where's the fun in that?" May asked, reaching for the stone.
"May, don't." Raya said.
She then took a long stick and broke it in half, placing one half on the skeletons arm, which Sisu looked up and saw a rope, leading all the way back to the entrance.
"Missed that." Sisu said.
"That's the point of a trap." Midnight said.
Raya reached for the stone once she was confident enough she had the trap made, taking the stone and the arms moved a bit, but the stick prevented the trap from going off, breathing a sigh of relief.
"Two down, three to go." Raya said.
She then handed the stone to Sisu and immediately turned into a human, taking them all completely by surprise, even Sisu was surprised.
"Hey, I shape changed!" Sisu said. "Into people!"
"Dragons can do that?" Raya asked.
"They can, especially Spyro." Twilight replied. "Should have seen him when he changed into a dragon, we were all surprised."
"This was my sister Pranii's thing!" Sisu said. "Look at my people arms, my people face, look how close my but is to my face! Now that you don't have to hide me, getting the rest of the gems is going to be a breeze!"
"Well, this was the easiest one to get." Raya replied. "The rest are being held by a bunch of no good Benturi's."
"Benturi's?" Namaari asked. "That's no way to describe an old friend."
Everyone looked up and saw Namaari's hunting party and all of them hopped down, blocking their exit.
"Namaari." Raya said.
"What's dripping Raya?" Namaari asked. "Oh, and I see you made some new friends. You had me worried. Thought you were going to end up a cat lady."
"And it appears you made a powerful new friend too." Laxeaus said, walking up to the bridge.
"Laxeaus!" May exclaimed, summoning her Keyblade, along with the ponies, shocking Sisu as she saw the weapons.
"Stealing Dragon Gem pieces I see." Namaari said. "Why?"
"What can I say, blind is my thing." Raya replied. "And I see you made a new friend too. Care to introduce us?"
"That's Laxeaus, also known as the Tacticum Stalwart." May replied.
"You know this guy?" Sisu asked.
"Yeah, I do." May replied. "He's with Organization XIII, our enemy."
"I have to admit Raya, you surprised me." Namaari said. "Until a few months ago, I believed you were nothing more than a stone statue. But then, someone stole Fangs dragon scroll."
"Oh, is that why you're chasing me?" Raya said, tossing the scroll to her. "And here I thought you missed me."
She then opened the scroll, seeing the dragon and laughed, finding it all amusing.
"Are you, really looked for Sisu?" Namaari asked. "What are you, twelve?"
"Actually, I was twelve when I started this adventure, after you betrayed my trust!" Raya replied. "But, I found Sisu." She then pulled Sisu over to her, indicating she was Sisu. "Say hi Sisu."
"Hi." Sisu said. "I love your hair!"
Namaari didn't look amused, folding the scroll back up.
"Take them." Namaari said.
"Leave the Keyblade Bearers to me." Laxeaus said. "I'm very interested in knowing how some ponies are able to have a Keyblade."
"Wait, Keyblade?" Sisu asked, looking to the key shaped swords."I don't believe it!"
Before anyone could do or say anything, Raya used her sword and knocked the stick out from the the arm of the skeleton, activating the trap and a bunch of sand came crashing down, knocking the uniting group down while giving everyone a chance to run, heading for the exit while Sisu tried to run on all fours, Raya picking her up.
"Two legs, two legs, remember!" Raya exclaimed.
"Right, forgot about that!" Sisu replied.
They managed to get through the doorway before it as covered by sand, running down the hall before running into the narrow hall full of the Tootin Booms, rushing through it as quick as possible as Namaari and one of the massive cats dug through, Raya going last as she used her arms to trigger the Tootin Booms, blocking the way for Namaari and her warriors, running to the entrance as fast as possible, running to Tuk Tuk and getting on.
"Tuk Tuk, roll!" Raya yelled.
"Everyone, hang on!" May replied.
She conjured the watery wave again and all the ponies and the dragon were standing on the wave as if standing on a surfboard, everyone riding away from Namaari as she got back on her cat, riding after them along with her hunting party, riding after them. Raya and Sisu were on Tuk Tuk, rolling down the slope while May's wave passed over and through the ridges and passages, outrunning everyone while keeping up with Raya and Sisu, rounding a corner. As they fled, Raya looked to her left and saw a small fishing village, having an idea for what to do.
"Guys, what is the one thing cats and Druun have in common?" Raya asked.
"Um... they have no souls?" Sisu asked.
"No, they hate water!" Twilight replied. "Raya, you're a genius!"
"Quick, go to the left, hurry!" Raya shouted.
May leaned to the left as May turned Tuk Tuk to the left and everyone fell into the water, Tuk Tuk swimming with Ray and Sisu on his back while may kept her focus and created another wave of water, riding it along the way until they reached a boat, which everyone hoped on and looked around for anyone who was in command of it.
"Hello?" Raya exclaimed. "Anyone here?"
She got her answer when a chair appeared under her, falling into it just as Sisu fell in and May, someone zipping around and putting cups on the table for them and bowls of food for Tuk Tuk and the ponies and the baby dragon, hay for the ponies, some sea food for Tuk Tuk, and a bowl of fish for Spike, who didn't look very happy about it.
"Welcome to the world famous Shrimp Boil!" A boy said. "My name is Boun and I'll be your server today. Would you like to hear our daily specials?"
"Yes please!" Sisu said.
"We got shrimp, we got kanji, we got shrimp kanji that won't quit." Boun replied.
"The captain, where's the captain?" Raya asked.
"Well, that would be me." Boun replied, surprising him.
"A kid is the captain?" Midngiht asked, surprising Boun.
"Wow, did that horse just talk?" Boun asked.
"We're ponies." Twilight replied, looking annoyed. Well, most of us."
"Look, we need to get to Talon, immediately." Raya said.
"Sorry, the Shrimp Boil is not a taxi boat." Boun replied, which Raya pulled out a bunch of jade coins and Boun took them immediately. "TOY that's a lot of jade!"
"Half now, half when we get to talon!" Raya exclaimed.
"Grasp onto your kanji ladies." Boun said, taking half the jade coins. "Because today's special is... to go."
"Too late!" May exclaimed.
She leapt over the boy and called her Keyblade, blocking an attack from Laxeaus as she pushed him away and got into a fight, Boun looking shocked by the sudden appearance of the Nobody. As she fought him, she looked over and saw that Namaari was closing in and knew they were running out of time, so she upper cutted then Nobody and kicked him over the side of the boat, grabbing the rope and using the power of water to pushed them forward, almost knocking everyone over as they got going.
"Wow you didn't tell me Fang was after you!" Boun said.
"We were hoping to be on our way as to not scare you kid." May replied.
"Well, I... I..." Boun said, looking at Spike. "Wow, is that a dragon!?"
"Why yes I am." Spike replied.
"And he talks!?" Boun asked. "Is that Sisu!?"
"No, his name's Spike." Twilight replied. "And we aren't exactly from around here."
"That's no kidding." Boun said.
Twilight then looked over and saw Laxeaus out of the water, raising his blade and plunging it into the earth as massive pillars of earth shot out of the water, attempting to block them in.
"Crud, he's blocking us in!" May exclaimed.
"Can't you make this thing go any faster!?" Raya asked.
"That'll cost extra." Boun replied.
"I got this." Sisu said.
She then jumped into the water, everyone looking over to see what she was doing, which Raya covered Boun eyes as Sisu turned back into a dragon, latching onto the bottom of the boat and shooting them forward, everyone hanging on as they made it past the stone pillars right as the last one shot up, angering Laxeaus as he turned to Namaari.
"They escaped." Laxeaus said.
"That girl, the one who controls water, you know her?" Namaari asked.
"I do." Laxeaus replied. "Her name is May Springwell. She's also known as the Water Maiden, but she gave herself that title, for she has another title she went by."
"And what's that?" Namaari asked.
"That's for another time." Laxeaus replied. "Come, we need to inform your mother about this."
Laxeaus turned his mount away from the water, moving back towards the shore while Namaari watched as they moved farther and farther away from them, scowling at Raya as she waved her hand before turning her mount and following Laxeaus back towards Fang. On the river, Boun was busy cooking up some food for everyone while Raya was sharpening her blade, ready for what's to come next as she looked to the water, growing worried for Sisu before sheathing her blade.
"Sisu?" Raya said. "Sisu, where are you?"
"Let her have some fun Raya." Spyro said, Raya looking to her right while looking to the water and seeing Spyro sitting there. "She's a water dragon, water's sort of her thing."
"Yeah Raya, just relax honey." Sisu said, coming up and back stroking.
"Yeah, well I don't want Boun or anyone else to see you like that." Raya said, looking back to Boun.
"Oh, you mean captain Poppin' lock over there?" Sisu asked. "What's he going to do, challenge me to a dance battle?"
They then looked back to the kid, who was cooking while playing some music as Pinkie got out her jumbled up one-pony marching band, playing the instruments while everyone else had some fun.
"Sisu, you don't understand." Raya said. "I saw people loose their minds over the Dragon gem. You have any idea how much chaos it will cause if they see an actual dragon?"
"Raya, you're worrying too much." Spyro replied, making her look down and confusing Sisu.
"Wow, hows he in the water, but not really there next to you?" Sisu asked.
"The people fought over the gem because it had power." Spyro continued. "Power that they thought could help their people. Sometimes, people do things for the sake of their own, to protect them and ensure their future. You mustn't judge everyone by the actions of their leaders, for no one is the same as the other. For this journey, you need allies, and Boun is a great ally to have as he can provide transportation and food."
"Yeah, easy for you to say." Raya said, turning to Sisu. "Look, if we're going to make this work, we can't have anyone seeing you as a dragon. So, you're going to need to stay as a human for the time being. Please?"
"Wow, you got some trust issues." Sisu said, turning human again and hoping into the boat.
"Hey, my father blindly trusted the other clans and now he's stone." Raya replied. "So yeah, I got trust issues."
"Don't worry, we'll get him back." Sisu said. "Come on, who's your dragon? I-I mean human because, I'm going to be human for the time being."
Raya just laughed at Sisu, looking back to the water and seeing the disappointed look on Spyro's face as he started to fade.
"When you reach Talon, look to the market." Spyro said. "You'll find someone who can help you on your quest. For only when the five are brought together, remade by trust, can they truly be one."
As he disappeared, the food was ready, which Boun made and poured some soup for everyone to enjoy.
"Here you all are!" Boun said. "The house special all around! How would you like it? Hot? Hotter? Or BOOM, goes the dynamite?"
"Oh yeah, bring on the heat!" Sisu said.
"You said it sister!" Pinkie said.
"Ho-ho, no, no I don't think so." Raya said, taking Sisu's bowl.
"Um, what are you doing?" Twilight asked.
"Making sure it's not poisoned." Raya said.
"Ya'll serious sugarcube?" Applejack asked. "Why the heck would he want to poison us?"
"Yeah, why would I want to poison you all?" Boun asked.
"Well, first, to get my jade purse." Raya replied. "Second, to steal my sword, and third, possibly to steal Tuk Tuk."
As she said it, Tuk Tuk froze, looking worried as Midnight patted his head.
"Don't be paranoid Raya." Midnight said. "It's not poisoned. Rosy can sense if it's poisoned or not or if the kids got ill intent."
"Glad someone trusts me." Boun said. "All you said are good points, but if it were poisoned..." Boun then took a spoon full and tasted it, showing it wasn't poisoned. "You're going to die happy."
"He's right!" Pinkie said, drinking the soup as she and Sisu took a couple of spoon fulls of the spiciest spice there, mixing it in. "It's delicious!"
"Yeah, and it's not poisoned." Sisu said. She then took a sip of the spiced up soup and immediately felt the heat, her face turning red as she felt it. "But it's ha... ha-a... it's hot! Oh boy is that hot! It's really hot!"
Pinkie then gulped down her bowl in one sitting, but regretted it instantly as her entire body turned red, shaking like she was going to explode before opening her mouth, flames literally shooting out of her muzzle and she ran looking for water, everyone laughing at the both of them as they tried to find something to drink. On the plains near Fang, the hunting party had just returned to the city, which was surrounded by stone statues of the dragons that fought to protect them five hundred years ago, riding through Namaari turned and paid her respect, bowing her head and raising her hand, making a circle with her hands before continuing to ride on.
"Why do you pay your respects to them?" Laxeaus asked. "They're just stone statues."
"An outsider like you wouldn't know how much they sacrificed to save us." Namaari replied. "They were our protectors, sacrificing everything to save us. The least I can do is pay them my respects every time I ride by."
Laxeaus watched as she rode on, leaving him behind as he looked back, scoffing at the stone dragons as he continued to follow the Princess of Fang home. Back with Raya and the group, Raya was watching the Druun crowd around the river, ready to claim the life force of the next unfortunate soul.
"You know, you can almost forget about them during the day." Boun said. "But at night..." He then looked over to the forest, seeing the Druun there ready to claim them if they messed up. "This is why I never leave the boat."
"You're a smart kid." Raya said, continuing to sharpen her sword.
"So, what do you think Druun are anyways?" Boun asked.
"A plague." Sisu replied, getting everyone's attention. "Born from Human discord. They've always been here, waiting for a moment of weakness. Waiting for their chance to attack. They're like the opposite of dragons. Instead of bringing water and life, they're like a relentless fire that destroy everything in their wake until there's nothing left but ash and stone."
"Sort of like the Heartless." Twilight said.
"The what?" Raya asked.
"Heartless, creatures born from the darkness in peoples hearts." Twilight answered. "They hunt and turn anyone into a Heartless should they fall victim to them. Spyro, he's been fighting them for nearly three years before loosing his heart."
"How'd he loose it?" Raya asked.
"By protectin' a princess." Applejack answered. "Princess Mí Amore Cadenze, but we call her Cadence. He pushed her out of the way and saved her, loosing his heart. It would have been taken if Rosy hadn't scattered it."
"She scattered your friend's heart?" Raya asked, looking to Rosy, who looked miserable. "Why?"
"He asked me to do it." Rosy replied. "He wanted to make sure the Heartless never got his heart, so he asked me to scatter it."
"And that's why we're here." Twilight said. "To find the pieces and restore his heart, bringing him back. We already have seven pieces, the eighth is in the Dragon gem. Split into five separate pieces, each protected by the five clans. Spyro was many things, smart was one of them. I'm guessing his Heart Piece knew what to do and hid in the gem to make it impossible for anyone to get it."
"You're not the only one who lost someone close." Boun said, continuing to row. "The Druun took my parents, my family."
Sisu looked sad as well, taking four flowers from a nearby basket and looking at them, looking in the water.
"They took my family too." Sisu said.
She then tossed the flowers into the water, watching them flow by as Boun and the ponies all walked up next to her, each taking some flowers and putting them into the water, Raya watching them before getting up and walking over, taking a flower for herself and putting it in the water, watching it float away along with the rest of them, everyone having a moment of silence for their loved ones before looking to the front of the boat and finding that they were near Talon, sighing in relief.
"Well, looks like we're here." Boun said. "So, where you guys heading to after this? I might be heading there myself, for a fee of course."
Raya just smiled, ruffling the kids hair as they made their way to Talon, a city built over the river, amazing everyone.
"Wow, way to Druun proof your home." Sisu said. "Build it over the water."
"Yeah, it may look impressive, but this place is a hot spot for pickpockets and con artists." Raya said.
"Lucky for me, no pockets!" Sisu said.
"Wish I was that lucky." Twilight said. "My saddlebag has the book that is helping to lead us to the Heart Pieces. If it's stolen, we loose our only hope of finding Spyro's heart."
"Well, the good news is that I know where the gem piece is." Raya said. "Bad news, it's being held by Talon's chieftain, Deng Hai. What he lacks in style, he makes up for in mean."
"So, how should we proceed?" Applejack asked.
"Easy, let's get him a gift." Sisu said, about to leave when Raya pulled her back.
"Actually Sisu, I think you're safer here on the boat." Raya said. "Without you, we won't be able to put the gem back together."
"But... I want to help." Sisu said.
"And you will." Raya replied. "By staying safe." Sisu looked disappointed and hurt, Raya hugging her to make her feel better. "Don't worry, I'll be back before you know it."
"We'll go with you." Twilight said, she and Rosy walking up. "You might need backup."
"I'll go as well." Midnight said, though Rosy seemed ok with it, Twilight still didn't trust her. "Being in a group is safer than being alone."
"Fine, but I got my eye on you." Twilight said.
"If you see any hungry faces, send them my way." Boun said, tying the boat down.
"Sure thing Captain." Raya said.
She and her three friends then walked away from the dock, heading into Talon to find Deng Hai's house and get their piece of the Dragon Gem. Back in Tail, near the fishing village, everyone was getting into their boats to turn in for the night and avoid the Druun, but a moment later, they heard something crackling, looking back to the shore as a massive Corridor of Darkness opened up, freaking everyone out as they saw a pair of red eyes appeared from the Corridor, the Heavy Armored Assault Walker coming through as it's metalic paws slammed into the ground, causing the earth to shake as it came out, the corridor closing behind it.
"Teleportation: Successful." The massive machine said. "Analyzing current location. Error: Information not found. No connection detected. Scanning for possible source of information." It then looked down as many people shouted, throwing spears and shooting their bows at the titanic machine, b it their weapons had no effect on it, which only found their actions to be curious as it raised it's tail and it flew down, crashing into one of the boats and pulling up a woman, holding her baby as she screamed. "Organic life form, I require input on missing information."
"W-what?" The woman asked. "What do you mean? Please don't hurt my baby."
"Confirmed." The machine said. "Tell me what I wish to know and you and your tiny life form will not be harmed."
"W-what do you want to know?" The woman asked.
"What is this location?" The machine asked. "What is this world? Were there any unusual things happening or any person or animal that was out of place?"
"W-well, you're in Tail." The woman replied. "One of the five lands of Kumandra. As for animals or people, there were a few weird individuals with animals not too long ago."
"Have you seen where they went?" The machine asked.
"W-well, they're heading in the direction of Talon." The woman replied. "Just follow the stream going up river and you should find it."
"Confirmed." The machine said. "Thank you for your input."
The Heavy Armored Assault Walker then gently put the woman back onto the ground, walking in the direction of the water and walking through it as the armor sealed itself, pressuring and sealing every crack and opening to make itself waterproof, walking along the bottom of the river to make it's way towards Talon, ignoring the people as they kept throwing spears and shooting arrows at it. Back in Talon, Raya and the ponies were walking through the market square, passing by vendors who were selling different items from clothing and food to jewelry and other kinds of Knick-knacks, making sure they didn't loose their valuables. They walked up a small hill and from there, they saw a large building a little ways away, larger than the rest.
"There it is." Raya said. "Deng Hai's house."
"Wow, gotta admit, it's pretty nice." Midnight said.
"I actually agree with you Midnight." Twilight said. "It is beautiful. If not for the need to get the Dragon Gem piece, I would actually like to explore a bit."
"Well we need to get in there and get the Dragon Gem from him as soon as possible." Raya said. "So from his point forward, no detours.'
They then heard a baby crying, eveyrone looking to their left and saw an abandoned infant baby in an ally way, shocking everyone.
"Oh, poor thing." Twilight said.
"A baby?" Rosy asked. "Why do I hear a baby in an alleyway?"
"Someone abandoned it." Midnight answered. "We need to check to see if she's ok."
"Well..." Raya said, looking to Deng Hai's house and then to the baby, who was reaching for them. "Alright, maybe a small detour." They then walked towards the crying infant, Raya picking the baby up, though unsure how to do so. "Hey there... baby, infant, thing."
"Oh, poor thing, she must be so lonely." Twilight said, reaching her hoof up and tickling her chin, making the baby laugh. "Maybe we can make time to find her parents."
"Well, alright then." Raya said, turning to the street. "Hey, whose baby is... WHAT!?" They all looked and saw three white monkeys raiding Raya's stuff, holding the two dragon gems and looking surprised. "Hey, the gems! Drop them!"
They didn't listen as the monkeys jumped down and started running, the baby pulling Raya's hat down and kicking her before waddling away and hopping on the bigger monkeys back, laughing at them.
"Seriously!!?" Twilight asked. "A Con Baby!?"
"Didn't see that coming." Midnight said, instantly getting jabbed by Rosy.
"Come on, after them!" Raya shouted.
The four of them then took off after the run away baby and the monkeys to reclaim the gem pieces before they ended up losing them forever. Down at the pier, Sisu was waiting on the boat for Raya and their friends to return, with Pinkie and Applejack playing a game of Hoofs and Ladders Pinkie had brought with her while May was doing some gentle gestures, practicing controlling water and turning it into either air or ice, Boun watching as she did and finding it interesting.
"Oh, this Deng Hai does not sound like a nice guy." Sisu said. "Doesn't sound like someone you can smooth talk."
"Well, Talon isn't exactly the best place to be at if ya ask me." Applejack said, moving her piece. "Probably the last place somepony needs to be."
"I'll say it doesn't sound like a nice place." Spike said, eating some Kanji. "And from what Raya said, not the best place to be making some friends."
"Aw come on AJ, Spike, it's not that bad!" Pinkie replied, moving her piece to a ladder. "This place actually seems kinda nice t me. There was actually the one time that we went to another place far sketchier than this, remember AJ? The-"
"Pinkie!" Applejack exclaimed, putting her hoof in the party ponies mouth. "Order, remember?"
"Order?" Sisu asked.
"Uh, it's nothin'." Applejack replied. "Just..."
"Hey, maybe you can go and get this Deng Hai a gift while Raya and the others are out!" Pinkie said.
"Hey, that's a great idea!" Sisu replied excitedly, but then looked miserable. "Oh, but I don't have any money."
"Well, you're an adult right?" Boun asked. "You can just put it on credit."
"What's credit?" Sisu asked.
"It means you pick out what you want, and make a promise to pay for it later." Boun replied.
"Ah'm not so sure that's how it'll work here sugarcube." Applejack said. "This place doesn't;t look like the place that... and she's gone." They looked around for Sisu, trying to find the disguised dragon before Applejack face smacked herself. "Great, perfect. We went and lost Si-"
"Anyway, we better go look for her." Pinkie said, trapping Applejack by the tail before bouncing away.
Boun watched the two earth ponies leave the dock, Applejack yelping every time Pinkie pulled her away, scratching his head trying to understand what he was witnessing.
"Just let them go kid." May said, still doing her movements. "One must let events flow like the river if one wishes to see what is to happen."
"Huh?" Boun asked. "What does that mean? Shouldn't you be going with them or something?"
"I don't believe my assistance will be required for now." May replied, sitting down and meditating. "At least, not yet."
Boun gave May a confused look as he looked back to the city, hoping nothing bad will happen to his new friends as he waited. In the city, Pinkie and Applejack were walking around trying to find Sisu, keeping as quiet as possible, while also kicking anyone who tried to tie them up and sell them for jade, but didn't;t have much luck.
"Well this isn't goin' well." Applejack said. "We went and lost Sisu. Raya isn't going to be happy."
"Oh relax Applejack, we'll find her." Pinkie replied.
"Oh yeah, how so?" Applejack asked.
"Try the angry mob surrounding her over there." Pinkie said, pointing to the crowd, where Sisu was and was being surrounded with a bunch of different stuff in her arms.
"Oh for the love of...!" Applejack exclaimed "Ah swear, if she was mah little sister, I'd give her a good whoopin' for stealin'! Come on Pinkie, let's-"
"Back away, get away from her." An old woman said, shooing the crowd away. "Can't you see she's new here? Come dear, don't be afraid. It's alright."
The woman then started dragging Sisu away, Pinkie feeling her knee getting punchy and knowing something scary and bad was going to happen, so she started tailing Sisu and her new 'friend' to see where they were going, Applejack following close behind to see what was going to happen. In the market, the baby and the monkeys were fleeing Raya and the ponies, leaping and trifling using the posts to get around corners before reaching the river, leaping onto the boats to get farther away from them, but Twilight was using her teleporting abilities to keep ahead of the baby, trying to levitate them up in the air, but the monkeys kept on throwing interference, throwing fruits at her, which one of them hit her horn, making her loose her magic for a short time. Rosy and Midngiht were able to keep up, which Midnight would toss the blind pony ahead and land on either a boat or a dock, Rosy using the Force to launch her friend ahead to cut them off, but the baby and the moneys managed to ,Earp over her, time slowing down as Midnight watched them fly over her, the baby waving bye as they flew, landing on dock.
Raya managed to catch up with her, Twilight and Rosy running after them, but had to dodge a diaper as the baby took it off and gave it to the monkeys to use as a projectile, the baby putting her purple pants back on as she ran and leapt through a window, which they all leapt through one by one as they kept on running after the little con baby and her helpers. The baby and her monkeys were almost free as they knew the area better than their pursuers, but Tuk Tuk appeared and slammed a gate on them, blocking the way and slamming the baby and the monkeys, falling to the ground as Raya put the tip of her sword into the wood floor, smiling at them.
"Nice try little Con Baby." Raya said. "Now, can I get back what's mine?" The baby looked upset, hitting the stomachs of the monkeys who had them in their mouths, which Raya took them and knelt down. "Thanks. Now, using your baby charm to rip someone off, super sketchy. Now, where are your parents?"
They baby stuck her tongue out and spat raspberries, motioning for her friends to follow her as they walked away, but one monkey stayed behind and showed them what happened to her parents, taking the same position as the stone statues did when the people were hit by the Druun before leaving.
"Oh, poor thing." Twilight said, everyone watching as the baby walked away and gave some berries to her friends. "She lost her parents. Like Boun."
"And like me." Raya said, looking to Deng Hai's mansion before getting an idea, looking back to the baby. "Hey Con Baby, how'd you like to earn some honest loot?"
The baby looked back, confused but interested in what Raya said, giving her a look that asked what kind of loot she was talking about. A little while later, they were in front of the mansion, which the baby and her monkeys got to work putting on a show, distracting the guards as they couldn't resist watching a cute baby play with the monkeys, giving Raya and the ponies a chance to get into the mansion without being seen. they snuck through the halls and found some9en standing near an open window, which Raya took out her blade and pointed it at the guy.
"It's over Deng hai." Raya said. "Now give me the-"
"Wow, I ain't Deng Hai." The man replied, turning to show he wasn't Deng hai.
"Wait what?" Raya asked. "Then who are you?"
"My name's Jai... the flower guy." The man replied.
"Well, where's Deng Hai?" Raya asked.
"Over there." Jai replied, pointing to his right.
They all looked and to they shock, they Found Deng Hai, but he was a statue like a lot of other people, confusing them.
"Wait, then who has the Dragon Gem piece?" Raya asked.
"Only the most vicious chieftain Talon's ever had." Jai replied
The four of them started to worry, wondering who it was that had the gem piece and who was vicious enough to defeat Deng Hai and become the new Chieftain. Back with Sisu, Pinkie and Applejack managed to catch up, walking right behind the two humans while the old woman lead them somewhere, Applejack not trusting her while Pinkie also kept her distance.
"Those people were so mad." Sisu said. "All I was trying to do was bring some gifts to the Talon Chief Deng Hai."
"Oh, so that's who you're looking for dear." The elderly woman asked, approaching a wall with some raised up bridges. "Well, I know exactly where he is. I'll take you to him."
"You will!?" Sisu asked. "Oh thank you. My girl Raya is all like can't trust people, don't talk to anyone, I bring my own terrible food to eat." This made the old woman laugh as the bridge was lowered down, leading the three of them away from the water and to the gate, confusing Sisu. "He lives away from the water? Guess he loves living on the edge."
"Come dear, this way." The woman said.
The gates then opened up and on the other side, it was foggy, which made it difficult to see, but Sisu walked through, completely trusting the woman with Pinkie and Applejack following close behind, though they were more skeptical as they saw a shadowy figure on the other side of them.
"Hello, Chief Deng Hai." Sisu said excitedly. I come bringing... gifts?"
"Sugarcube, Ah don't think this is Deng Hai's place." Applejack said.
The fog then cleared up and to their horror, they saw an entire field of statues, all with bowed heads and cupped hands and from them, a Druun appeared, making them scream as they ran for safety, but the guards held their spears to them, preventing them from entering, but to their surprise, the old woman had the Dragon Gem Piece, holding it as the guards were slowly closing the gate.
"Now, you're going to tell me where I can find those other Dragon Gem Pieces, or else I'll leave all of you out there with that thing." The old lady said.
"Ya'll tricked us!" Applejack exclaimed. "Yer a snake!"
"Yeah, you're an old meanie mean pants old lady!" Pinkie shouted.
"Well, you don't;t survive by just being nice." The woman replied. "Now take your pick because that thing looks hungry."
"But... I trusted you." Sisu said.
"Big mistake." The woman replied. "Better talk fast, or else."
The three of them were horrified that the old woman was going to do this, Applejack turning to face it as it quickly approached them, so instinctively, she called her Keyblade, much to the old woman's surprise, and threw it at the Druun, which time slowed down as the Keyblade spun towards the Druun, no fear of the weapons, but it soon learned to fear it as once it entered the massive monster's body, it cut clean through it before disappearing, causing the Druun to screech in total pain, the guards stopping and opening the door to see what was going on and everyone watched as the Druun writhed in pain, screeching and roaring in agony as a single white line was present on it, causing multiple rays of light to shoot out of the the dark creature as it exploded into purple dust, releasing a blue orb and floating over to the statue they first saw, entering it. A moment later, the statue started to crack and then crumble, the person inside of it awakening and looking at his body, feeling that he was back before laughing in pure joy.
"Impossible." The old woman said.
"The... Keyblade." Sisu said, now recognizing the weapons.
"You, orange horse, you're coming with me." The old woman said.
A second later, Raya came riding in on Tuk Tuk, Twilight, Rosy, and Midnight on the massive Armadillo as she took the piece out of the woman's hand, bashing through the gate and letting Sisu on, Applejack and Pinkie climbing on as well.
"I told you to stay on the boat." Raya said.
"Sorry." Sisu said.
"Here, hold onto this." Raya said, which as soon as Sisu touched the stone, her hair stood up and fog immediately shot out, covering everything and taking the guards by surprise as they rolled by. "Fog!?"
"Yeah, that was my brother Jigan's magic!" Sisu replied.
Tuk Tuk rolled across the pier all the way back to the boat, jumping into the boat and everyone dismounting.
"Alright captain, Boun, we're ready to go!" Raya said, ducking as a baby threw a bowl at her head.
"Hey guys, thanks for the new customers." Boun said, pouring a bowl of Kanju for them.
"Yeah, I sort of promised to buy them all the Kanji they could eat." Raya replied.
"Yeah, well we're going to be stuck with them for a while." Boun replied. "Ongi's have nine stomachs."
"Oh toy." Raya said.
"Wow, and Ah thought Pinkie had a big appetite." Applejack said, sitting down.
"I can't believe it." Sisu said. "That old lady was going to hurt me."
"I'm sorry Sisu." Raya said. "But, that's how the world is now. You can't trust anyone."
The baby then crawled over, sitting in front of Sisu, who looked skeptical of the baby.
"Does that include babies too?" Sisu asked, instantly falling for the baby. "Because she's so cute!" The baby then grabbed Sisu's face, squishing it and pulling on her cheeks. "Hi, I'm Sisu."
"Sisu." The baby said, laughing and hugging the disguised dragon's face.
They then started laughing as Sisu tried to get the baby off her face, having a great time as they cast off for the next location, Spine. Back at Fang, Namaari had returned form her hunt, walking into the council room where her mother, Virana, the chief of Fang, was discussing about expanding into the mainland, where the Druun were waiting for them.
"How do you suggest we deal with the Druun?" Virana asked. "It's a death sentence for our people."
"I might have a solution." Namaari said, walking in.
"My little morning mist." Virana said. "It's good to see you home."
"I found Raya." Namaari said. "She's out collecting gem pieces."
"What?" Virana asked.
"I'd like to take the royal army and stop her." Namaari said. "Before she reaches Spine."
"Oh, I doubt she'll make it." Virana said. "There's hardly anything left of them."
"She's more capable than you think." Namaari said. "She has some new friends, one of which can control water."
"Is that so?" Virana asked, thinking of something before looking outside. "Walk with me. Laxeaus, you too dear." They walked out to the garden, where everyone was working, walking next to a small canal. "Look around you dear. We made all of this by making smart decisions, not emotional ones. We are safe as the canal protects us from those monsters. I don't think it's wise to risk yourself when you don't have to."
"But, you heard the general." Namaari said. "We're running out of space. If we have all the gem pieces, we can expand safely. %This isn't an emotional decision, it's the only decision to make to secure Fangs future."
Virana smiled, looking down at her daughter before caressing her cheek.
"Namaari, you're going up into the leader I raised you to be." Virana said. "I'll give you the royal army. Bring the pieces back and the one who can control water. We might be able to use who ever it is."
"Thank you mother." Namaari replied.
"She won;t be easy to take down and capture." Laxeaus said. "She's an expert in water magic, making her almost impossible to defeat without help. I'll also summon forth an army of my Nobodies to help out as well. The Druun will more than likely ignore them since they don't have any life force for them to steal."
"Very good Laxeaus." Virana said. "Bring back the pieces and this woman, eliminate the rest."
Virana then walked away to make preparations for her daughter to take command of the Royal army, leaving Namaari alone with Laxeaus as he looked out to the Druun infested shore.
"You sound like you faced her before." Namaari pointed out. "Did you face her?"
"Many times I did." Laxeaus replied. "She's a skilled swords woman and a very powerful magic user. In her home, she's known as the Water Maiden, mistress of water magic."
"But, you said she has another name." Namaari said, remembering what he said. "Another title. What else did she go by?"
Laxeaus took in a deep breath, remembering the last fight he had as he heard metal clanging against metal, feeling the sting of their last engagement as he held his arm, still looking to the shore.
"Her second title is... Maya Springwell, the Water Dragon." Laxeaus replied, shivering as he said the name.