[Displaced] A Forced Hero Rewrite

What creeped him was the detail of it all, especially when it was MUCH bigger than he remembers it. The jellyfish that formed a symbiotic relationship with Barinade were bigger than the ponies with him, while the host was the biggest, easily towering by twelve feet in height. “Quick lesson, avoid the electricity it blasts, DON’T attack the jellyfish until we stun Barinade. The thing is gonna be rapidly spinning so keep your distance!” Jeff quickly explained just as it started doing just that; spinning around with electric tathers between it and its host like it was a helicopter.

“Alright you guys heard the damn stallion. That means no idle hooves either, draw your weapons and get to stepping.” FireForge shouts as he started to move to match the spinning jellyfishes’ rhythm.

“You need not to tell me t-twice.” The pained Elegant Crease grunts out.

“I need a moment to recover, you all just do your things, I’ll be with you guys shortly.” Snow Leap replies as he gets back up. And out of its range.

Silver Bullet looks over to Smooth, drawing a sword with his hoof from his scabbard, he nods his head to her as the mare unlocks a battle axe from her withers before nodding back. Both of them get into battle ready stances before slowly advancing towards the Barinade on two sides, careful not to hit any of the electrical jelly fish while not yet making a move.

“Oww…” Michael coughs out before shaking his head and regaining his composure. “Anybody got a boomerang?” He shouts as he starts swimming toward the others.

Elegant Crease slowly rises upwards in the sky, using her wings as makeshift fins. “Now’s not the time for jokes Emerald.” Pulling a whip from her waist she proceeds to unfurl it and floats at an angle from the Barinade to not get close to the originating part of the electrical current

“Plus it's not connected to anything, so boomerang is out of the question.” Jeff said as he swam around Barinade trying to find an opening, especially since his Hero’s Bow would be useless underwater.

“C-can’t we just shred the damn thing until it decides to die?” Snow Leap tiredly asks, being helped up by his brother as they both draw standardized swords.

"Physical contact with it will get you electrocuted, there's a reason why I mention stunning it. Anyone of you knows range magic, aim for the main body, the pulsing red part." Jeff explained to his squadron.

“Well I’m shit outta luck, fire magic won’t work down here… Unless, everypony I need you all to buy me some time to try something out. If you’re given the opportunity though, then strike this thing down.” FireForge tells them before charging up his magic.

Snow Leap nods his head. “You got it bro.” Shakily getting into a more refined stance, the snowy stallion points out his blade and summons two small sized icicles before firing them at a random Jellyfish.

Jeff stomped and pushed off the ocean floor to get out of the way as a Jellyfish, narrowly hit his face, the hylian even felt a small wave of energy pass by him from how close it was.

Michael reaches a hoof behind himself trying to pull anything out of his inventory to no avail. “Damn, I can’t use my items in this form…” Thinking quickly he swims in between Barinade and FireForge. “Right now, best I can do is body block. If shit hits the fan I’m gonna have to unmask though.” He said quietly becoming a Pony shaped shield to stop electric shocks.

“Alright I let a lotta things slide and if it were for the fact that this was a hnng life or death situation I’d be interrogating you right now. So get outta the bucking way.” Michael nodded and swam out of the way. A large light emits from FireForge’s horn as bubbles rapidly form around his entire body, the red aura that surrounds his horn flares up before releasing an almost invisible jet stream of heating magic at the Barinade and striking it, causing the monster to jolt uncontrollably and its jellyfish brethren to lose their shock.

“N-now, strike it everypony!” FireForge calls out before he collapses into one of his brother’s open forelegs.

Jeff quickly swam straight at Barinade with his sword posed, making swimming fierce stab at the boss’s body, causing it to let out low gurgle as blueish blood bled into the waters around them.

Michael Swam as fast as he could. “Falcon punch!” He yelled as he used all his energy to slam his right hoof into Barinade leaving a sizable welt in the monster’s massive body.

“..Falcon Punch?” Jeff asked in skeptical disbelief at Michael, the hylian makes another stab at Barinade’s body while waiting for Michael’s explanation.

“It worked didn’t it?” Michael said as he started rapidly jabbing Barinade in the same spot. “It’s all I got right now.”

Smooth Edge almost drops her battle axe after hearing that ridiculous name of a move. “Oh so now we’re using style on this beast?” She jokingly asks before grabbing her axe handle, swiftly chucking it upwards towards Elegant Crease while Silver Bullet creates a few dozen small magical barriers to use as platforms and travel over to the monstrosity with his slow underwater leaps, finally reaching it and delivering a few cuts to it before promptly swimming backwards as he sees Elegant Crease’s whip wrap around Smooth Edge’s slow moving battle axe and slowly twirling around with it, but due to the water’s resistance, it isn’t until she gets a very tiny but still slightly noticeable current going with her momentum before using the side of the axe to bat the Barinade in the side, still not knocking it down however.

“Now that’s bucking style!” The weaponless mare says before swimming over to Elegant Crease and retrieving her weapon back.

Jeff rapidly swam away just as Barinade rose up off the ocean floor. “Get away from it!” Jeff warned as Barinade’s body started to crackle with energy anew.

“Whoa!” Michael yelled as he swam away trying to avoid getting another zap.

Snowy uses some of the last of their magic to form a small ice wall to shield both himself and his brother as Silver continues to swim away and out of harm’s reach.

“Oh by Celestia’s flank, if I survive this, I’ve gotta go out and get drinks with Elegant Crease.” Smooth Edge quietly mumbles, realizing she won’t be able to muster the agility needed to get out of its radius while Elegant Crease is long gone in the other direction. The earth pony braced for electrical impact as everyone else was ducking and swimming out of the way of stray electricity coming from outside the blast radius.

Noticing Smooth Edge not escaping the zap radius of Barinade, Michael mentally cursed and swam back to push her out harms way. “Move damn it!” He pretty much tackles her pushing her away from Barinade, but putting himself back in zapping distance.The mare wildly flings through the water in a very slow manner before realizing what just happened. But before she could swim back over to help Emerald, he was already in the process of getting shocked by the Barinade screaming his lungs out in agony.

With its attackers rebelled from its body, Barinade rose higher toward the ocean's surface with its spinning jellyfish. Suddenly Barinade aimed all of its satellite shaped tentacles at Jeff as it's body started charging up a large amount of electricity. The hylian frantically swam to his right, however despite the hylian's best efforts, it fired off many electric beams at him, earning a direct hit and causing Jeff to let out a loud scream of pain as his body spasmed and shook. One of the glowing heart beads around his necklace slowly lost its light.

Elegant Crease stops swimming away, turning around only to realize what just happened and rapidly shake her head. “Please, mother of Celestia, give me strength.” Instead of being analytical she beelines in front of the Barinade without thinking.

Due to Elegant’s Crease beelining, it distracts Barinade from it’s beam onslaught, allowing Jeff to gain some ground away from Barinade and bring back some of his senses. Barinade swings one of its tethered jellyfish straight at her. Which was the final straw, all of the electricity running through her was more than a pegasus could handle so she went unconscious from it.

“Goddess-damn it that hurt..” Jeff said as he gritted his teeth, waiting for the volts to stop rippling through him.

Smooth Edge goes over to help aid Emerald Sword, Silver Bullet gives Jeff some physical support by helping him up, FireForge immediately swims to carry Elegant Crease on his back while Snow Leap is too exhausted to even move at this point.

“Tartarus, what do we do now? This thing looks like it’s about to flake on us at any moment yet it isn’t giving in. Doesn’t anypony else have a surefire way to beat this thing?” Silver Bullet asks.

“Just keep stunning it with spells from a range and striking it close when its connection with its jellyfish is interrupted...” Jeff said as he forced himself to swim up he raised his sword arm up, prepared to strike.

“A-alright, everypony who’s too injured to fight, stay back. Everypony else, fight till your last breath.” An out of breath FireForge adds on.

Silver Bullet, done with helping Jeff up, swims up some to gain a tactical advantage. “I trust you’ll be alright Jeff, make sure to not get shocked like everypony else.” He half-jokingly says. Charging up some of the mana into his horn to get ready for another strike towards the spinning Barinade

At the same time Smooth Edge is attempting to slap Emerald Sword back into full consciousness and doing some wishful thinking to jump start his muscle’s again to wear off the shock. “Get slap the buck slap backup!” Punctuating every few words with physical violence.

“Now! Aim for the red fleshy part.” Jeff signaled just as Barinade’s satellite tentacles started charging up another beam.

Sharply nodding his head, Silver Bullet sends out a disc shaped construct of magic towards that exact spot, the disc itself has several blunted out edges to it for more concussive form. Getting a direct hit on the Barinade’s weak spot and only opening. Like before, it interrupts the boss’s telepathic link to its jellyfish, allowing Jeff to rush in and strike true to the base of the beast’s real body. Which was the straw that broke the camel’s back. The Barinade flails all of its tendrils in crazed directions before deciding to spin faster and faster before it ends up creating a small whirlpool that disorients everyone. Just as the whirlpool cleared, it was gone, it managed to escape to a different part of the ocean.

Everyone is nigh exhausted from the fight, Snow Leap is collapsed on the sea floor, FireForge is trying to pick up his exhausted brain into becoming functional again, Silver Bullet is massaging his head along with his horn, and Elegant Crease is still on FireForge’s back, and Smooth Edge is still trying to slap Emerald awake.

“H-huh…” Michael starts to regain consciousness as Smooth edge continues to slap him. “Oww, hey stop, Owww, I’m up!” He shouts.

Her hoof immediately stops before her eyes go wide with surprise, and then proceeds to smack him one more time before letting go of him. “Geez you almost had me worried. I mean what in Celestia’s name were you thinking when you took that blast head on for me?”

“I don’t think I can tell you, you wouldn’t believe me, Man my face hurts…” Michael starts rubbing his cheeks trying to stop the pain.

“Hylia dammit. I wasn’t expecting it to fly off like that.” Jeff said as he sheaths his sword and slide his shield onto his back.

As Smooth Edge and Emerald Sword still go back and forth, Silver Bullet pats Jeff on the shoulder. “Hey, it’s okay all that matters is that we all made it out alive because my bucking Celestia that was a tough battle. I’ve got a damn migraine from summoning that many constructs and it looks like FireForge is about to have an aneurysm because of how bucking hot you’ve gotta get freezing water to be under water. In an instant. So yeah… And if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go get Snowy.” Silver Bullet swims over and throws Snow Leap over his shoulders before swimming forward towards Seaquestria with FireForge following him.

“It was a gambit I will admit, but I couldn’t think of how else we could stun it without getting electrocuted by its jellyfish.” Jeff said to himself with a sigh, causing bubbles to escape his mouth mask, going after the four ponies with a tired look on his face.

“You know Emerald, I still can’t say that was the easiest thing I’ve done but-” Smooth looks behind herself briefly and notices everypony already swimming off. “Shit. We’ve gotta get going.” The mare leaves a confused disguised human behind while she too, swims away.

“Wait, don’t leave me behind damn it!” Michael quickly swims behind Smooth Edge. “Man, I feel like I was pretty much useless in that fight… This damn pony disguise is holding me back.” He said quietly slowly catching up to the others. “Gotta stick with it for as long as I can…” He said with a sigh.

The group finally makes it into Seaquestria. After the painstaking fight and having some ponies near collapsion, they’re trying their very hardest to remain diligent. Looking around they do find some things that lighten up their days. The beautiful and unique structures of this underwater kingdom are something to marvel. Their coral houses decorated with several sea-shell lanterns of varying colors, resembling a kaleidoscope of sorts. The wonderful statues that have been carved of hardened minerals are found scattered everywhere.

Residents however are nowhere to be found, they’re all within their shops, homes, or hiding out of sight from them. As if these ponies were the plague of sorts. Some out of curiosity while others are more-so out of fear.

“Man… Now I know how Zecora felt when she visited Ponyville at first…” Michael said looking around at the hiding citizens.

“...I’m guessing Barinades gotten them spooked, I wouldn’t blame them. That, or they haven’t had pony visitors in a long time..” Jeff said judging from the sea-citizens’s gazes.

The group still trudges along through the waters, swimming from street to street until they find something of importance which doesn’t take long. After a few more blocks they all see it, that towering castle that nearly reaches the surface itself. Several decorative barnacles are scattered around with the detail-level that’d rival any good designer for years to come, natural coatings of moss and algae that have grown on it due to age is also found plentiful.

“Uh… Guess we should go see if the royalty of this place has anything important to let us know?” Silver Bullet awkwardly asks. No pony was in the mood for witty banter though and instead left for the castle, the silence hanging over them like the cold weather.

The squadron did their best to make efficient use of their time and finally made it to the presumed royalties’ residence. There was a problem though, two seaponies are blocking their path with serrated spears.

A intensely aggravated FireForge gives them both death glares. “What do you mean you “can’t let us through” we traveled all this way from King Zora’s domain and nearly got our flanks kicked by it. You guys gotta let us through, tell ‘em Jeff.”

“By Celestia and King Zora’s orders no doubt, we’re here because of a missing band.” Jeff explained to the two seaguardsmen.

They both stare at each other for a moment before staring back at the solar guards (and Emerald Sword) before their expressions turn apologetic. “Please forgive us, we didn’t know you were here under two royal’s order. Please allow us to guide you all to our queen.” Both of them take their serrated spears away from the entrance and enter the castle, allowing the group entry through the queen’s palace.

“Again, we’re sorry for our ignorance.” The first guard says for the third time the small trip.

“And again, we don’t care.” Smooth Edge truthfully comments. Jeff reached over and slapped upside Smooth Edge’s head. A soft “owww” is heard but she merely nurses her injury before grumbling a few obscenities at Jeff.

The second guard is about to say something but that’s when they all arrive in an open area that’s been carved like a dome. A royal gold is basically the entire room’s personality. Many sculptures are behind the throne and the throne itself has barred like golden minerals spiking away from it, a nice contrasting red velvety cushion is on the back-rest of it while at the bottom, the cushion is an ironic sea green. Upon the throne itself lies a bigger seapony than anyone else they’ve seen thus far, which isn’t many but still. Her fins are huge and the crown she wears is simple in nature, it’s ‘V’ shaped and has three lone blue feathers on it.

Jeff took notice of the glowing orange orbs that floated above them, keeping the room warm and not as frosty as the outside.

“Who are you all? Why have you come to my kingdom?” The royal seapony asks.

“By King Zora’s and Celestia’s orders to investigate some kind of anomaly and the missing band, he said they were heading here last?” Jeff asked curiously

The queen squints her eyes at the group distrustfully. “If you’re referring to the Indigo-gos then they’re fine. It’s actually thanks to their guitarist that we’re fine now, sadly he’s currently resting from tiring himself out. Tell me, how did you all get here in the first place?” She asks with some skepticism

“Wasn’t easy getting through the maze of water currents at first till Snow Leap made it visible by freezing parts of it.” Jeff explains.

“Barinade didn’t help either…” Michael said with an annoyed tone of voice.

“No… No kidding, hey where are we anyways?” A now slightly awake Snow Leap questioned.

“We’re in the underworld colt, we all died and this is Tartarus.” Smooth Edge replies, completely stone faced.

FireForge almost slaps Smooth Edge for that but can’t muster up the strength for it. “Don’t lie to my little bro like that. And hey, what’s your name miss?”

“You all may refer to me as Queen Novo.” She swiftly answers.

“Well then Queen Novo, can we get a place to sleep…” Michael’s stomach grumbles loudly, cutting off FireForge.

“Crap, I forgot I didn’t get to eat breakfast…” He shamefully holds his belly and hangs his head.

“…And eat around here before another one of us collapses?” FireForge almost forcefully uses a pleasant tone in order to not be rude.
“Well I’m truthfully sorry but it is far too late for us to prepare anything at this time of night. Tomorrow however shall have a bountiful breakfast in store for you all.” Queen Novo replies.

“Please forgive their attitude, Barinade did a number on all of us, I doubt they can survive round three with him in their current condition, and before you ask yes, that is the name of the monster.” Jeff explained.

Raising an eyebrow, Queen Novo gives Jeff a weird stare. “You all fought the ‘Barinade?’ As you call it. Did you all kill it, perhaps?”

“Sadly no, it manipulated the water currents and blinded us before we could.” Jeff said, still feeling ashamed about it.

“Yeah it was a real pain in the flank, but at least we got a few good blows in.” Smooth Edge comments with a tiny bit of cheer.

Queen Novo shakes her head. “How disappointing. This beast has been attacking us on and off for the past few weeks. And it seems to be going after our goddess orb that we have been long protecting for many years by one of the great goddesses above but it has been stolen now.”

“Wait, goddess orb?” Jeff’s pointed ears rose up with interest.

“Yes, a goddess orb, what is it to you? Why do you require such information?” She asks with some suspicion.

“I’m gonna take a guess and say you got it from Nayru, or perhaps a hylian of my description?” Jeff asked curiously.

Queen Novo starts sputtering before managing to gain a proper line of thought. “What is it that you’re planning, answer my questions, or you may be detained and brought into custody.” At that, several guards take stance, getting ready for a fight if need be.

Jeff quickly dug into his pouches and pulled out the goddess orb of Farore. “Celestia told they were given by the goddess to protect them. This orb here, I found in the everfree held by Gohma.” Jeff explained.

“Oh that’s pretty, I wonder if i’m gonna collect any of those in my equestria?” Michael says looking up, delirious from low energy and lack of food.

The queen of Seaquestria is even more confused from both of these statements. “You’ve collected one already and either your friend there is insane or from an entirely different universe…” Now more out of concern for the delirious pony that’s looking woozy, Queen Novo places a fin upwards letting the guards drop their combat ready positions.

“Please do not laugh when I say this but…” The queen leads off. “There once was a prophecy from the olden days where it was told by Nayru herself, told of a warrior who wore red and green for travel and would one day be given onto him our orb. It had been years since we-I was told this and no one matched this description, besides you. Although she must’ve been going into the deep end when she told this because you’re nothing of the hero sort.” She harshly declared.

“I get that alot.” Jeff said as he placed the green orb back into his pouch. “I’ve done a little heroing but that’s about it.” Jeff said as he knew he wasn’t on the same level as the original Link.. yet.

Taking a moment to stare at them all, the queen slowly shakes her head. “Very well then. In any case I shall provide you all with temporary rooming within my castle. Allow my guards to escort you all and continue this conversation tomorrow when you are all better.” She claps her fins together making a resounding noise that echos through the entire room. Several servants come swimming out and begin escorting them all to different guest rooms in the castle.

The entire group is nearly shambling through the waters, with each of them crashing into their respective beds. Emerald and Jeff are coincidently bunked together while the rest of the solar guards already fell asleep as soon as they hit the bed. Before the servant left them both he told them that dinner would be in a few minutes, leaving them both to their devices.

“While we are by ourselves, want to know anything about me or my equestria, bud?” Michael asked.

“Hours ago you mentioned tokens, do are… Displaced, was it? Do they all have them?” Jeff asked as he adjusted his zora armor since he won’t be able to take them off to sleep.

“I had to make mine, I poured all of my energy into my Fairy Ocarina and it copied itself, so I assume you’ll need to do it as well if you want to help others out too.” Michael explained. “Though, I’m not sure if it’s a flawless plan, I mean I was kinda forced here.”

“And who taught you about this?” Jeff asked as he sat down onto the bed, which for some reason the seaponies called it a seabed.

“Uh… Another link displaced, I think his name was…” Michael puts his hooves on his head trying to think. “Wait… If I remember right his name… was Jeff i think?” He said confused. “You know, you kinda look like him… just less battle damaged… Huh, what a coincidence.” He chuckled, causing Jeff to give a confused look at Michael.

Michael blinked a few times. “You know what, My memory isn’t the best, disregard what I said about my teacher, their name’s not Jeff, I think it was Jason or maybe Jack, curse my bad memory.” He tactfully fibbed. “Anything else you wanna know?”

“Makes me wonder why there’s more than one version.. Are heroes not all that common in those Equestrias?” Jeff asked with a tilt of his head.

“Honestly… I’m not sure, yer the first displaced i’ve ever been summoned to.” Michael said looking up at the ceiling at nothing in particular. “So, any non displaced questions in that head of yers?” He asked, laying down on his designated bed.

“Where did you get the mask? It works much like those of Majora’s Mask.” Jeff asked as he studied Mike’s pony form face.

“My displaced teacher gave it to me, along with a fairy companion, too bad she wasn’t with me when I was teleported here.” Michael said, reaching up and running a hoof across his pony muzzle. “This form isn’t to different from my wolf form, it is a bit weird that I actually have a cutiemark, I was worried about that when I got the mask.” He admitted.

“A what?” Jeff asked, confused.

“Guess you forgot, when I asked you in the Everfree, I asked ‘Hylian, wolf, or pony’ what’d you think i meant?” Michael said, raising an eyebrow.

“I mean the cutie mark thing..” Jeff corrected himself.

“Oh that… yeah look.” Michael points to the mark on his flank of the Master Sword and Mirror Shield. “Wasn’t sure that would be there since technically I never found my calling like normal ponies.”

“Ah, I thought it was some sort of tattoo those ponies have, like tribe members sort of thing.” Jeff said with a nod to Mike’s words.

“Cutie marks are a ponie’s life’s calling, what they are destined to do and what they are the best at doing.” He half heartedly explained. “I’m sure Celestia could tell you more if you asked her.” Michael hums in thought. “I wonder if Cole would have a CutieMark if I let him use this mask?”

“I didn’t want to be rude though asking about someone’s butt tattoo….” Jeff said as he rubs the back of his head.

“I’m not one hundred percent sure about your Equestria, but back in mine they’re not that taboo to ask about, most ponies will gladly tell you about them without hesitation.” Mike said with a yawn.

“Ah, well, so far of what I’ve learned about this world, alot of things from the zelda games exists in this one, except with alot more detail.”

“Yeah I kinda noticed that at Zora’s Domain, I wonder if my Equestria has zelda locations in it, it definitely has its monsters for sure.” Michael said with some venom in his tone at the end.

“Judging from your surprisingly not polygonish ocarina of time appearance, I’d have to assume it’d be alot of that.” Jeff said with a nod.

“Already got an extended Everfree forest, has a bit of lost woods vibe goin’ on now.” Michael said.

Jeff let out a soft yawn as he placed his hand over his mouth. “As much as i’d like to hear your whole world, we’d best get to sleep.” Jeff said tiredly.

“I guess that would be smart, gonna be weird to sleep as a pony but… can’t break disguise.” Michael said closing his eyes. “I’ll eat in the mornin’ Barinade shock my body to the core.”

“Just think of how cats sleep, it's kind of the same way if I’m remembering correctly.” Jeff said as he laid across the seabed, pulling the strange sea weed silk blankets over him.

“Whatever you say, bud.” Michael puts his hooves under his head as a makeshift pillow not really paying attention. “Night, Fellow Hero of Legend.” He said with a smile. It takes Michael but a few moments to fall asleep, due to experience falling asleep in water before as a kid.

“Night, hero of time.” Jeff said as he closed his eyes. It took the hylian a long while to fall asleep since this is the first time he’s sleeping underwater.

Their impervious slumber was uninterrupted. The water wasn’t the most unpleasant thing to sleep around but it certainly was not the most comfortable feeling for the land-living ponies and Hylians. Small bits of light from the morning sun did fall through the window-like constructions in the wall yet none of the ponies noticed due to it blending in with the other light refractions of Seaquestria.

Our two heroes of their individual Equestrias are sound asleep until they aren’t anymore.

A *Knock knock* is heard from the door of their temporary room. It isn’t fierce nor is it soft. A simple firmness of several knocks is heard resounding through the room.

“Mlrlrlrrl..” Jeff said in a mumble in a almost murloc-like tone. “Wha..” Jeff said as he opened his eyes in confusion.

Several more knocks are heard coming through the door, this time having a harder thump to each of them.

“Five more minutes, Spike…” Michael said with a soft snore directly after. “Make some bacon for us…” He rolls in his sleep.

Someone from the other side does an extremely over exaggerated sigh before pounding on the door non-stop, fed up with the lack of response.

“Alright-alright-alright-I’m up!” Jeff said as he pushed the sea blanket off of him, swinging his legs out of bed.

“Why yes, Twilight…” Michael mumbled. “I would love to eat that huge chocolate book…” He rolls back onto his back.

The knocking finally subsides as Jeff opens the door, almost looking hung over in some aspect. “Finally you’ve opened the door…” Looking over to the side he sees the other pony still asleep. “Why has your other friend not awoken? Are they in a medical induced slumber?” The seapony asked.

“...I’d dump cold water on him if that was possible..” Jeff said half jokingly as he made his way over to Mike, giving him a firm shake.

A loud snort sounds from Michael as his eyes shoot open. “Huh, where am I?” He looks around the room. “Oh right… Hell…” He said jokingly as he pushed off the bed and lazily floated towards the door. “What I wouldn’t do for some fish right about now. Where’s Fluttershy when you need her…” He says rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

The seapony rolls his eyes, only the smallest amount of sympathy locked behind them. “Yes, yes, we’d all like something early in the morning after being woken up at ten thirty but we all can’t have that luxury. Queen Novo does have something to make up for this. If you’d all follow me then I shall direct you to our dining hall as promised last night.” The seapony moves to the side and allows them both to get past him. Swiftly swimming down the halls, leading the two into a large area.

Fancy silverware are on these long rectangular tables that stretch on longer than normal tables do. And seated at them are five ponies, one seapony, and a zora attempting to comfort said pony.

“Oh hey dudes, bout time you guys got awake. We’ve been waiting for hours here.” Smooth Edge impatiently says.

A small tap on her hoof comes from none other than Elegant Crease. “Don’t listen to this fool, we only had gotten up minutes ago. We’re glad you two could join us. Maybe one of you could even calm down Queen Novo. She’s been acting strange ever since we got here.”

“Eh it’s probably nothing big, she’s probably just got something on her mind.” Silver Bullet counters.

Snow Leap shakes his head. “Nah I know that type of panic. She’s stressin over something bad dude. Like if you lost something really important levels of bad.”

Not wasting anymore time the two displaced both take a seat right next to each other.

“Need food to function, no hay please…” Michael said as he rested his head on the table, still a little tired from being woken up.

“This stallion doesn’t like hay? Something else I can add onto the weird board for you. I’m hungry too though, lemme try and get her attention.” Smooth Edge gets up from her seat but is immediately sat back down by Elegant Crease.

“It’d be best if you of all ponies didn’t go. Why not anypony else?” Elegant Crease takes a look around for any volunteers.

Jeff rose up from his seat and makes his way over to the Zora and Novo. Jeff stopped in mid-step as he got closer, reconising the zora to been none other than the Guitarist Mikau. A moment of silence passed before Jeff finally spoke. “A rupee for your thoughts?” Jeff asked as he looked between the two.

Queen Novo stops her incessant arguing with Mikau for a moment. Cautiously moving her head over to put her gaze on Jeff. “Come again?” She confusedly asks.

“Its an expression meaning would you like to share your thoughts?” Jeff explained in concerned.

“That’s what I thought you meant.” Seaquestria’s queen began. “What I truly meant was why would you wish to know about such business?” She states.

“Because I can’t ignore someone looking troubled, so please tell me? I’m here to help afterall.” Jeff with a soft smile.

“Any other person wouldn’t have asked me with such a simple agenda like that.” She softly comments. “Mikau, if you’d please, tell him why. I’m much too distressed to tell him myself.”

Mikau gently nods his head. “Of course your majesty. Jeff, right? It’s a pleasure to meet you. As you heard from Queen Novo I am Mikau. Currently we’re both discussing the matter of Queen Novo’s stolen goddess orb of Nayru and her kidnapped child, Princess Skystar.” He tells Jeff.

“When did this happen?” Jeff asked in worry.

Mikau shakes his head while rubbing Queen Novo’s back. “It happened last night when both the orb and Skylar went missing. From what the Seaquestrian scouts can tell us, they found a trail of disturbed sand leading to the south. After we eat, I plan to go with you six and I know what it's like to lose children.”

“..So nothing knocked down? A sign of a struggle? Anything?” Jeff asked with a frown.

“No, despite how hard we tried to look. There was no real break in attempts from the monster, no signs of mind control, and the Barinade’s regular nesting time was about then so there was no chance that it just up and swam here to kidnap the princess. Which is what’s stumping us.” Mikau answers Jeff before continuing. “We’ll talk more about it once everyone here has a full stomach and gets to the waters outside.”

“Amen, Mikau bring on the grub!” Michael shouts still starving. “Lord knows I really need it…” He says quietly.

Smooth Edge leans to the right and repeatedly nods her head while banging her hooves on the table. “Yeah, you need to feed us. We’re starving and I might just eat up that tasty lookin colt over there.” She stares at Emerald Sword with the eyes of a predator but Snow Leap quickly nudges Smooth’s shoulder. Which doesn’t completely tear her gaze away but still gets her to tone down on the hunger in her eyes.

‘Be patient and respectful, yes, I know everyone’s hungry since last night but please.” Jeff shouted over the air.

“Colt?” Michael frowns. “Bitch I’m twenty three.” He says offended by being called a colt.

Her head fully snaps back onto him. “Doesn’t matter how old you are, I could still gobble you up in seconds-”

“Okay that’s enough of that.” Snow Leap jumps in before catching Queen Novo’s attention.

“Huh… Oh yes, servants, please bring these guests their well deserved meals.” She orders. Several servers come and place down covered silver platters before opening them to reveal a multitude in species of fish, several different berries, mostly being between red and blue with few green ones scattered around, flavorful algaes and a very noodly looking type of hay.

“Ah so this is what Seaquestrians eat then, fascinating.” Elegant Crease observes before taking a plate. Meanwhile, Mike is essentially inhaling the fish he got.

“More please…” Michael says holding up his plate with nothing but the bones of his fish left. “I’m at about a half a tank of gas.” His head still resting on the table.

Smooth Edge immediately raises an eyebrow. “Damn did you never get fed when you left from Ponyville or something? Maybe I shouldn’t eat you then, wouldn’t have any protein on you anyhow.” The earth pony smiles before pompously moving her chin up to the air while graciously taking bites of her hay noodles. “Basically colt I am your superior, therefore I must act like it from here on out as well.” His anger rising Mike decides to leave and calm himself down.

“Yo, Jeff, mind if I run back to our room real quick?” Michael says while looking directly at Smooth Edge with a sour look on his muzzle. “I gotta do somethin’ important.”

“Huh? Ok, sure.” Jeff said as he took a plate, not looking all that eager to eat considering the choices but better than starving.

“Cool, i’ll be a little while.” Michael gets up and swims away back to the hall exiting the room.

“Celestia dammit Smooth Edge ya scared him off.” FireForge shamefully shakes his head as Emerald Sword leaves.

“Hey this is Smooth we’re talking about, she’s a little weird but that’s in her nature.” Silver Bullet inadvertently defends her actions as he takes a chunk out of the berries on his plate.

“In any case she still shouldn’t have said that Emerald in the first place. He’s not used to our type of humor so he might be a bit…. Softer. You agree, right Elegant?” Snow Leap questioned.

She lets out a small sigh. “You all know I don’t care for such trivial happenings, leave me out of this.” And she goes back to eating her salmon.

FireForge stared directly at Smooth Edge with a disciplinary glare which had no effect. “Not my fault he was a little too soft… Then again he did save my flank from that Barinade thing so I guess I can cut him a little slack.” The mare thought about it for a moment before quieting eating.

Everypony silently nodded, still waking up in their own tired ways. It was a near unanimous decision for them all the eat the rest of their breakfast in peace and quiet.

A few minutes goes by and still nobody says anything. Until Queen Novo starts speaking. “You there, the earth pony.” Smooth Edge questioning points to herself. “Yes, you, I won’t have any in fighting on a team that could potentially bring my daughter back, go make up with the one you just tried to embarrass. And the pegasus, you go with her. You seem leveled headed enough to bring her to make rational decisions.”

“Your majesty if I may. I will not, under any circumstances will be working with somepony so destructive with their words and feelings even if it’s a basic apology. So with all due respect-” Elegant Crease was immediately cut off.

“No… No to whatever you thought you were going to say and no to trying to dodge your way out of this. I’ve seen entire groups become dead because of a little discord between each other. I, under no circumstances, will have that happen to you all. Especially if Mikau will be participating with you all as well. So I shall only tell you this once more. Go.” A deafening silence is scattered throughout the entire dining hall, save for two chairs being scooted out and two swimming mares to pursue the angered guest.

Jeff finishes his meal, then decides to excuse himself from the table. “Sorry to cut this dinner short but I’m gonna check on Emerald Sword as well.” Jeff said

Queen Novo glances at Jeff, not yet having touched her own food. “Are you sure you’d like to do that? How can you assure that you won’t further complicate things?” Queen Novo asked the Hylian.

“Hey, I gotta make sure it doesn't escalate any further, I don’t need the team to be uncoordinated when we go to rescue your daughter and take care of Barinade.” Jeff said with a nod.

“Fine, but do well to not get in the way of miss Edge’s apology unless it is needed. I shall see that you are off as well. The rest of us shall eat and wait at the main-entrance to send you all off.” Queen Novo finally gets to take graceful bites of the salmon in front of her.

Jeff makes his way over to the room that he and Mike shared, however he pauses. Seeing both Elegant Crease and Smooth Edge at the door while there’s a muffled song on the other end of the door.

“Listen dude I said I was sorry…” Smooth Edge lazily says.

Elegant Crease is looking extremely aggravated at this point. “It’s obvious that he cannot hear you Smooth, I’ve been saying this for the past minute. You need to face him head on.”

“That’d take so much effort though. And talking about feelings is… Bleh.” Staring directly at the door it isn’t until Smooth Edge looks to her right to finally see Jeff staring at them both.

“Oh thank Celestia you’re here. Dude I need you to go talk some sense into your friend. He sounds like a few stages away from actually going on tour.” Smooth Edge humorously replies.

“A what and a who?” Jeff asked in confusion, not understanding the last thing Smooth Edge said.

Elegant Crease sighs and puts a hoof up to her snout. “She’s asking if you could go in there and help her apologize to Emerald Sword.”

Jeff looks at the earth pony mare who’s trying to give her best puppy dog eyed look to him can only do so much in the face of someone this serious. “Smooth, you can’t escape a situation like this, trust me I’ve tried before and it only leads in failure.” Crouching down he puts a hand on her head. “I’ll be there to help you but only as support. You’re gonna have to apologize all on your own.”

Smooth Edge frowns, kicking at the water around them while Elegant Crease nods. “He is right, I wish that I could have the tolerance needed to actually say that to you without getting so… Un-lady like but alas that’s neither here nor there.” She gently floats over to Smooth Edge with a gracious smile. “Now open the damn door.”

“♪ C.C. pick up that guitar and talk to me! ♪” Michael shouts in the room barely audible to the three outside the room.

Elegant Crease almost shudders from the singing, getting flashbacks of her college days. “Yes, please hurry Smooth. For all our sakes.” Smooth Edge almost contemplates on going back but decides against it, opening the door and slipping herself in along with Jeff and Elegant Crease.

“Hey col- I mean, hey Emerald. Listen I’m sorry about earlier. You gotta believe me when I say that I didn’t mean to piss you off.” She looks down at the floor before looking back at Emerald sword… Or rather Michael. “Aw what the buck?

Michael, in his Hylian form wearing a Zora Tunic and Iron Boots is jamming out before hearing somepony talk behind himself. He quickly turns around and the music cuts out like a scratch on a record. “Oh shit…” He stands there like a deer in headlights.

“..Whelp, the Remlits out of the bag.” Jeff said with a sigh and a shake of his head.

“How’d a damn changeling get under water? Jeff do you really know this guy?” Smooth Edge silently questions to herself before unhooking her battle axe. “Elegant.” She signals to her fellow solar guard.

“Right, changeling you shall answer here and now. Else you be detained, then imprisoned by the local’s law enforcement.” She quickly follows up.

“Woah, Woah, Woah!” Mike shouts as he backs away from Smooth and Elegant. “Hold on a sec, it’s not what yer thinkin’.” He quickly states. He closes his eys for a second and in the blink of an eye he has Golden Gauntlets on his arms.

“That’s what all shapeshifters say. So put away those soul-bound gauntlets that you just summoned and come with us.” Elegant Crease surprisingly announces.

Jeff held out his arm, blocking the two aggressive ponies. “Not a changeling, this is actually Emerald Sword, the truth is he’s alot like me…” Jeff pauses to look at Mike, wondering if they’d believe the whole multiversal bit.

“Yes, Listen to Jeff, he tells the truth, and these aren’t soul bound Gauntlets, they’re here to protect my arms from attacks.” He said.

Elegant crease almost looks as if she’s about to drop her guard but Smooth Edge still doesn’t seem convinced. “How can we be so sure that you didn’t mind control Jeff? Do something that only a real Hylian would do.”

“Alright I’ll compromise, Take my gear.” He took the leather belt holding his Sword and Shield and tossed them over as a sign of good faith. He stands with his hands up surrendering as his gear slowly lands in front of them.

Smooth Edge looks at the gear and back at Michael. “Oh… So then you’re dumb, okay then come along with us-” Elegant crease glides over before putting a hoof on Smooth Edge’s shoulder.

“Don’t do that, I know you’re just screwing around now. It’s pretty obvious because of how you just handled the procedure.” Turning from Smooth Edge Elegant Crease faces Michael. “Yeah alright, we have a little trust in you now, take back your gear but don’t pull anything funny, we’re all gonna need an explanation for this.”

“Ok, just gonna slowly…” Michael inches forward and starts to bend down keeping his eyes on the two solar guards. “Grab these and…” He picks up his gear and swiftly puts it back on. “Done.” His hands shoot up again.

“Alright, now do the hokey pokey and Luna walk at the same time.” Smooth Edge demands.

“Oh for Nayru’s sake..” Jeff said as he placed his palm onto his face.

“Don’t remember the first one but…” Michael quickly starts moon walking and spinning like Michael jackson. “I know yer fucking with me but i’m still not sure if I’m able to diss obey you.”

Smooth Edge is on the verge of tears while simultaneously cheering and laughing at the same time. “Aye, aye, aye! Just like Micheal Coltson!” Elegant Crease can only groan at her comrade’s foalishness.

“...I will admit, those are some amazing moves.” Elegant Crease shyly comments.

Michael starts to tier as the iron boots make it a bit hard to dance. “Can I stop now?” He says as he does the smooth criminal lean.

Smooth Edge almost goes ballistic from the smooth criminal lean. “O-oh, oh Celestia that was good, yeah you can stop… I wish Jeff would do stuff like that for us.”

“Alright, alright, that’s enough tomfoolery..” Jeff said with a snort, causing bubbles to escape his face mask.

“Thank god…” Mike falls face first out of the Smooth criminal pose onto the sand floor. “Oww.” He quickly gets back on his feet.

“Oof, that ain’t good.” Smooth Edge quietly mutters. “Well it seems like all’s well that ends well, guess we can head out now.” Whistling a small tune, Smooth Edge quickly tries to leave the room. Only to be stopped by Elegant Crease who wags their hoof back and forth.

“You’re not getting out of what we came here to do, so go do it.” Pushing Smooth Edge back, Elegant Crease proceeds to block the door.

Smooth Edge quietly nods their head before slowly swimming in front of Michael’s face and uncharacteristically says some words of wisdom.. “Dude… I’m sorry, really I am. I shouldn’t have called you a colt. You actually seem like an alright guy, maybe one of these days I could even treat you to a drink if you’d be up for it. But ultimately that shit wasn’t right and because of that, I apologize.”

“That’s what you guys were here for?” Michael says confused for a moment. “Apology accepted, and Drinks? You mean alcohol?” He questioned.

“Unfortunately that seems like the only type of drink she knows of.” Elegant Crease answers for her.

“Oh, then no can do, I’ve not gotten drunk yet so I’m not sure how I'll act. And I’m in a committed relationship and don’t want the small chance of something ‘funny’ to happen, if you catch my drift.” He said flatly.

A very soft, and nigh-inaudible “Damn.” Exits from Smooth Edge’s lips. “That’s two no’s in a row… Hey that manure rhymes, nice.” Her hyperactive mind quickly moves onto something else before floating upside down like a reverse buoyant fish-hook.

Elegant Crease stretches her forelegs over her head and smiles. “Ah I’m so gladthat it’s finally over with… But Smooth does raise a surprisingly good question. When will you dance for us Jeff? I’d like a comparison of two Hylians doing the same dance side-by-side.”

“...I don’t do dancing…” Jeff said with a frown. “..I’ll probably end up eating those words if Kamaro's Mask exists..” Jeff thought to himself.

“Oh my god, what the hell did I just accidentally start…” Michael says putting a hand over his face instantly regretting following orders.

“Beats the Flying Pot out of me.” Jeff said with a shrug of his arms.

“No no, that’s something I would probably have asked later but sooner is just as fine. One of these days I shall need those results of you both dancing at the same time. But mark my words. If I don’t get those results within the next year. I will hunt you both down and force you to.” Elegant Crease threateningly states. “Now come along the both of you, we shouldn’t keep the group waiting.” Wrapping her wing around one of Smooth Edge’s dangling legs she brings her out of the room like a balloon.

“I still suggest putting on the mask back on, Mike, or the seapony guards might freak out asking how you got in here or why there’s a second ‘hero’” Jeff said as he makes his way outside of the room.

Michael nodded. “Right, hope those two can keep a secret…” Michael says quietly as he reaches under his shield and pulls the Earth Pony Mask back out. “Please don’t hurt the second time…” He puts the mask up to his face and it latches on again, hunching over and gasping for air with another scream and flash of light Michael is swimming around as Emerald Sword again. He quickly puts on the Pony Zora Tunic that was floating next to his bed, and swims out of the room. “Still hurts…” He said with a pained sigh.