Drabble Kaboom!

Kendell2
"Wind Whistler saves the group by solving a Sphinx's riddle. "

"Why does exceptional happenstance occur with improbable frequency in our proximity?" Wind Whistler asked herself.

Besides her was Fizzy, Shady, and Gusty gave no response, being turned to gold statues tended to limit one's conversational options.

Gusty checked off that was stone, glass, and now gold they'd been turned into. And that wicked witch who'd turned them into trees for fun.

They'd been lured here by a message saying Somnambula had turned a pony also named Somnambula to gold, melted her down into gold coins, and then the coins were eaten by rust monster. The witch outraged at anyone daring to muddy the waters of her name.

Instead they'd found a sealed doorway that promised 'your friends weight in gold' an obvious double wording...

"If you're asking why these things always happen to you, it's the fate of the greedy," the sphinx spoke, the face of a human, the body of a lion, and the wings of a bird.

"I have informed you, myself and my companions were lured here under false pretenses. We have no interest in vast wealth."

"Humph. Be that as it may, your friends are now rightfully simple treasures of this vault by the law of the land. It is not my fault your friends did not read the warning inscribed outside."

"Inscriptions worn away by time!"

"My purpose remains the same. To ensure no act of greed of entering this tomb is rewarded. You are free to go, and I suggest quickly before the sands bury this place again and I can return to my rest."

"... You have quoted 'law of the land', your species is sphinx is it not? Then according to my recollection of sphinx law... I offer myself up as collateral, ask me any riddle, and if I cannot answer it, I will become another part of your collection."

The sphinx narrowed her eyes. "... Very well. There are two sisters, one gives birth to the other and she, in turn, gives birth to the first. What are they?"

Wind Whistler stopped herself from saying 'that is illogical.' Any verbal response might count as the 'wrong answer.' Wind Whistler closed her eyes. Like the riddle of 'the one who is many' from Megan's game involving the Bushwoolies, due to their collective nature, this couldn't be the literal answer. They were not actually sisters, counterparts, something that always led to the other in an endless cycle... Hm.

"The answer is NIGHT and DAY!"

The sphinx's face a stone cold. "Correct."

The sphinx flapped her wings once. The three other ponies became flesh and blood, blinking in confusion.

"I am a pretty gold statue, no more, no less-wait a minute! No I'm not!" Fizzy shook her head.

"I am a loved and precious treasure who never needs to worry, WAIT! Baby Shady! She needs me!"

"I am a perfect gold statue that's better than... ugh! Boy was I was stuck up as a statue!"

"You all had consciousness while in a metallic statue?"

"You don't think me so evil I'd have empty husk on display would I?" The Sphinx asked.

"You! I'm gonna-" Gusty began to say.

"We'll leave immediate! Thank you for your fairness!" Wind Whistler bowed quickly, grabbed Gusty by the tail, Fizzy and Shady taking the hint and retreating. The door closed behind them as soon they were outside, sand covering it up.

"Thanks for saving us Wind Whistler," Fizzy said.

"It was my only viable course of action. And I believe now comprehend the true nature of the warning, you, my friends, are worth MORE than you weight in gold!"

The ponies hugged.

~Fin