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Pipsqueak, wilderness explorer, forced his way through one last bush and nearly collapsed in the clearing beyond it. The stallion was caked with dirt and exhausted from his long hike. Strapped to the white and brown earth pony's back was a heavy load which included everything he needed to setup camp. Tent, cooking pot, fire starter, sleeping bag, water canteen, a machete, and more.

He huffed as he lay in the grass. The journey had not been easy, but as he gazed up ahead, he smiled. He had finally made it. Pipsqueak had reached the mysterious statue.

The gray stone was cracked in places and spotted with green moss in others. Vines crawled up one side while a mango tree attempted to overtake the other. The carving itself resembled a huge earth mare. Though in place of a mane she had a trailing headdress of feathers. Some kind of native crown. There was one final oddity however, she was depicted with her eyes closed and her nose pointed down.

The statue was a big unknown. Clearly it had been made a long time ago, but by who? And why? There were no cities nearby, ancient or otherwise. Even two thousand years ago this region was already consumed by jungle. Could this carving predate recorded history? But if it did, it should have been much more weathered, nearly unrecognizable actually. Yet it was still easy to tell what it was supposed to be. The only other explanation was independent statue makers, but that theory had its own collection of problems. Could this have been a practice piece? If so, why come all the way out here to make it?

So much didn't make sense.

Which is why Pipsqueak had come.

He wasn't exactly an archaeologist. He didn't expect to discover old secrets. But the young stallion was drawn to them like a turtle to the ocean. Ruins and lost places subtly called out to him, begging him to visit their dark depths.

And it appeared this huge stone mare was no exception.

The pony cast aside his camping gear and stretched his aching legs. Then he took a moment to admire her. She was a beautiful creature, whoever she was. Just looking at her filled Pipsqueak with the desire to investigate. To study her. But he tamped down those feelings. He had to get his camp ready and rest. Night could sneak up on him if he wasn't careful.

The sun rose the next day and Pipsqueak quickly scarfed down a simple breakfast so he could get started.

As he approached the towering statue, it became ever more apparent how huge she was. If her legs hadn't been folded underneath her, she would have been taller than the most impressive jungle trees. Even laying down like she was she still managed to loom over him. Her closed eyes were very strange though. Statue makers, in the past and in current day, never made them with closed eyes.

Pipsqueak stood beneath the great stone mare's head and gazed up at her. Like the many explorers who had come before him, his mind swirled with wonder and questions. She was beyond understanding. This monument existed seemingly without a history. There was no explanation for who she was or why she was here. Simply put, no one knew anything about her.

Pipsqueak felt something in his chest. A weight was the best way he could describe it. He felt like his vision was narrowing as he focused on those huge lifeless eyes above him. Like there was something pushing against his mind the longer he stared. After a few seconds the discomfort became too much and he shook his head.

With a sigh, Pipsqueak raised a hoof and ran it down the mare's smooth granite chest.

"Who were you?" he whispered.

For a minute he held his hoof there, feeling the stone. His thoughts drifted. Then a sudden powerful nostalgia gripped him and visions of every place he'd ever visited flashed through his mind. It wasn't entirely unpleasant. They were good memories. Good adventures. But then there came a sense of... being watched.

Pipsqueak stumbled back, nearly tripping over his own hooves. He was breathing heavily and the hairs on the back of his neck were up. His head swung back and forth, looking for the other person he knew was there. Yet, his eyes found nothing. The clearing in front of the statue was devoid of anyone else. His eyes rolled across the treeline. Did that mean they were hiding? That wasn't a good sign.

"Who goes there?!" he barked threateningly.

For a few moments no one answered. He half-expected a wild animal to emerge at this point. Then a booming voice replied.

"It is just you and me, young one."

Pipsqueak spun around and found himself gazing up at the statue again. Except it wasn't lifeless stone anymore. It had transformed while his back was turned. Now it was a huge green mare wearing a crown of massive blue and red feathers. Her golden eyes were slitted like a dragons, though her gaze was soft. She was looking down at him.

Pipsqueak's jaw dropped. He stared. His heart raced. His body trembled. Was he dreaming? What was happening?!

"Be at ease, young one. You are in no danger. You are welcome in my presence."

The stallion swallowed and struggled to form a reply. The mare's crown and dialect screamed royalty. It was probably best to address her as though she were a noble. "Thank you... ma'am. My name is Pipsqueak. Who... do I have the privilege to speak with?"

The former statue smiled. "You may call me whatever you wish, for a name means little to me. Once I was called I'anon I'aid. Once I was called Gaia. My last name was simply The Colossus."

" 'Colossus' doesn't sound very... feminine," Pipsqueak commented.

The huge mare chuckled. "No, I suppose it doesn't. But I digress. I have awoken for you not because I wish to debate names. I wish to speak with you regarding important, and delicate, spiritual matters."

Pipsqueak blinked in surprise. This was very sudden. "But who are you? Why are you out here?"

She sighed. "I am a spirit of life. It is my aura that brings growth and prosperity to this jungle. As long as I slumber my anima nurtures all things around me."

The stallion's eyes widened, realizing he had been given the unique opportunity to solve all the mysteries of this great mare. "How long have you been here?"

"I do not know, for I sleep for long stretches of time. Centuries. Only waking when I need to refresh my energies. Which is why I am awake now and why I must ask for your help."

Pipsqueak blinked and tilted his head curious. "My help?"

"Yes," Colossus replied. "While I sleep my anima pours out into the world, but my reserves are not unlimited. They must be replenished every few centuries with the help of a young, strong, and willing mortal. Which is why my ethereal whisper drew you to me. You are young and strong and you possess a pure spirit ripe with curiosity. But, will you aid me?"

Pipsqueak was speechless. He had been chosen by some kind of higher being. Chosen to help her. She took his silence, however, as hesitance.

"Please, young one, the jungle needs you. While my aura will last many decades to come, there is no guarantee another worthy mortal will answer my call or accept the responsibility in time. Without you every green thing for some distance will wither and those that rely upon them will perish soon after."

Pipsqueak felt something. Pride maybe? It was hard to pin down the sensation. As a foal he was nearly drowned in the heroic tales of Twilight Sparkle and her friends. Oh how he wished he had been older or could have joined them even once. As he grew up their deeds inspired him to travel the world in search of adventure, but he never did find many opportunities to be a real hero. To be important and make a difference was his dream.

Now a chance was begging for him. How could he refuse?

Pipsqueak puffed out his chest. "Of course I'll help ma'am. Just tell me what I have to do."

Colossus smiled bashfully. "In order to restore my anima I must be bred. Aggressively. Repeatedly."

Pipsqueak froze and his eyes widened. "What?"

"I am a spirit of life. For my aura to spread fertility and encourage propagation, I must be filled with the same vigor. All you have to do, young Pip, is mate with me a few times a day for the next month. Then my anima will be replenished and I can return to my slumber. Can you do this?"

Pipsqueak's neck audibly creaked as he glanced up and down at the ancient mare, taking her all in. She was very big. How was he supposed to... mate with... Colossus?

Maybe he wasn't ready to be a "hero" after all...

Author's Note

Inspired by a line-drawn comic I saw many years ago. No idea how to find it now, but the premise of the story was that an ancient fertility goddess, in the form of a dragon, needs to be "fertilized" once every couple centuries in order to maintain the jungle. However, since the last time she bred, her devout worshipers have gotten a little mixed up and believe she demands a sacrifice rather than a volunteer. Which led to some great adult humor. Imagine being this scrawny dude hated by your entire tribe to the point that they try to sacrifice you, only to learn the role was meant to be a privilege. And now you get to sleep with a very hot dragoness. Yeah, I enjoyed that comic.