Ita POV

I hummed to myself, in a hot-tub on my island, away from the others for the day. As I was relaxing, I felt something fall and land around one of my horns.

“What the?” I mumbled to myself, taking the thing off and revealing a choker. “If you need me, preferably not for fighting, call me over. The phrase is Come forth, calm flame.”

“Alright… Come forth, calm flame.” I said, summoning a ring and linking it to the token’s function next to the tub.

Yang POV

I wanted to eat the scrambled eggs Rarity had made for breakfast. I really did, but I couldn’t stomach the idea of eating anything right now.

“I’m sorry Rarity, but I can’t eat this” I said to her. “I’m not feeling very good right now.”

“Oh, I’m sorry” she said to me.

I would have told her not to apologize if not for the floor vanishing from under my bare feet and me falling into whatever hole it was that opened up.

“What’s going on?” In what felt like a minute of falling, but probably wasn’t, my stomach decided to become an evil gymnast. It was doing all kinds of flips and making me feel extremely queasy.

My exit from the portal tunnel was nowhere as graceful as my entrance. I couldn’t orient myself properly and rolled on the floor of wherever my destination was for a second. I wound up crashing into something like a wall face first.

“Well hello there.” A voice said, sounding partially amused.

“Ugh, hey there too.” I got onto my back and looked towards the direction I came from. “Where are you?” I really wasn’t feeling good at all. The pressure in my stomach was building, and it did not feel good.

“Above you, you crashed into the side of my hot tub.” The voice said. “You alright there? You look like you’ll need a bucket in a second.”

“Something like that, yeah.” Truth be told, I would have settled for a deep hole in the earth as I was right now. A bucket suddenly appeared next to me in a flash of golden light. I quickly put my hands on the sides of the rim and leaned over it, taking deep breaths in and out through my mouth.

It didn’t take long for the stuff in my stomach to come out. The first heave had so much pressure behind it that some of it came out through my nose. I only had a single moment to catch my breath before a second blast came out, this time only through my mouth. A final, third shot followed. My stomach felt empty, but I was now dry heaving.

“Heal Order.” The voice above me said in a whisper, some green bugs floating around me and giving me an energy that made me feel… better. At least better enough to move a bit and not dry heave. I still felt really bad.

“Thanks” I said as I shakily stood up. “Oh, that was a mess. I can smell it in my nose.” I looked around and didn’t see anyone. I did hear what sounded like bubbling water, so I turned around and saw a hot tub with someone sitting in it. “Ah, hello there.”

“You look like you could use a dip, come on in.” The person said, giving me a grin. They looked and sounded female.

“I would, but I’m in my sleepwear, and I’m not too keen on getting it wet. It wouldn’t feel very good, I imagine.” I suddenly noticed a familiar band of some kind in her hand. It looked just like my choker.

“There’s a clothes basket over there.” She said dismissively, turning so she had her back to me.

“Um, I don’t think I’ll take that offer” I timidly said. “It’s still a bit awkward for me, being female. I mean, it’s not bad, but it’s still a big change.”

“You used to be a dude too?” She asked, turning back to me.

“Until about a month ago. And I’m living with a fashionista unicorn now.” And now I was on an island who knows where talking with someone who used to be a guy like me, but was more comfortable with her body than I was with mine.

“Must suck being unused to your body.” She said, resting her cheek in her hand as she crossed her arms over the edge of the tub. “I’m part succubus now, so I didn’t really get any of that… and I can shapeshift, so it doesn’t really matter.”

Sounds a bit OP to me. “Yeah, lucky you.” I made my way to the opposite side of the hot tub and sat down on the ground. I had a bit of breathing to do. “What’s your name, anyways?”

“Name’s Itazaru, or just Ita.” She said, relaxing in the tub. “Nice to meet you.”

“I’m Yang Xiao Long. I honestly forgot my original name though. Just call me Yang. I’m sorry you had to see me throw up like that. In fact, smelling it again, I’m catching a hint of grass, or something like it.” Maybe that had something to do with it? But I didn’t see any grasses in the Chineighse food.

“Gotta be careful with pony food, some stuff they can eat, you can’t.” Ita warned simply, shrugging. “You sure you don’t want a dip?”

“Nah. But some ice cream would help me, especially with my throat.” It was sore from the stomach acids that were forced through it.

“Alright.” Ita said, waving her hand and making a glass bowl of ice cream appear in my lap. The spoon in the bowl also appeared to be made of glass.

“Huh.” I picked up the glass spoon and had a bite of the ice cream. It tasted like honey. It melted in my mouth fairly quickly and coated my throat very well, stopping the remnants of stomach acid that were there. “Oh, this is good. Did you do this?”

“Yeah, heard honey was good for this kinda stuff, so I made sure to add it.” Ita said, shrugging with a lazy grin.

“Note to self: get honey flavored ice cream back in Ponyville.” I focused on my dish of ice cream until it was empty. “Thanks. So, do you need me for anything? Or do you just want a relaxing buddy?”

“Just felt like relaxing, really.” Ita said with a shrug. “If you change your mind, you can’t see below the water in the hot tub.”

“I’m not worried about the depth. I just don’t like facing my body.” I loved the steaming showers because it fogged up the mirrors, so I didn’t have to see myself there.

“I mean you won’t see yourself if you just go down enough in the tub.” Ita clarified. “The water’s not clear.”

“Hm?” I stood up, powered by intrigue and delicious ice cream. The water in the tub looked almost like something out of a cartoon or video game.

“So, feel like taking a dip now? The water’s nice and warm.” She said, splashing a little.

Looks like third time was the charm. “Oh, alright. But could you look the other way while I disrobe?” Hey, I punned!

“Okay.” Ita said, closing her eyes and turning her back away from me. “Just say when you’re in.”

“Sure.” I took off my clothes, folding each piece and setting it on the corner of the tub. As soon as the last of my clothes were wrapped up in the robe, I quickly slid into the tub, going until the water was around my neck. “Okay, you’re good.”

Ita opened her eyes and turned back to me, shamelessly showing off her breasts. I didn't care. “Cool. If you want, I can have a pokemon wash those for you.” She said.

“It’s fine. Also, I like the temperature in here. Did you know I can’t be burned? It makes getting things out of the oven really easy.”

“Must be handy.” Ita said, sitting back and relaxing. “So, what’s your world like?”

“Plenty of petite pastel ponies. Before I got dragged to Equestria, I never once imagined living with a unicorn that designs and makes clothes.” I never even thought that could happen at all. “A bad guy escaped earlier this week and I. . . Killed. . . Him.” Bummer mode engaged. “But at least everyone got their stolen magic back, so it wasn’t all bad. I fell asleep at the spa almost as soon as I got in their hot tub after the battle.”

“Huh… fought Tirek already?” Ita asked, clenching her fists and snarling. “I hate that asshole.”

“Fought and killed him. I didn’t like it, but I had to do it to save everyone and return their magic.”

“Good. Couldn’t have happened to a better ass.” Ita said.

Not the language I would have used. Still, I guess it fit. “But the one you know is still around, right?”

“Nope.” Ita said, popping the ‘p’. “That bastard won and then died of there being nothing left on the planet… when I got here I had to find Arceus’ plates, take them for my own, become a Goddess and restore life.”

Wow. That was a lot. “Um, alright. Sounds like you had a lot on your plate at the time.”

Ita snickered, looking amused. “That joke was bad.” She said, chuckling.

“It happens occasionally. You said you’re a goddess, right?” If she was, I had a little something in mind.

“Yeah, why?” Ita asked.

“Would you be so kind as to make a thingy for me?”

“What’s the thingy?” Ita asked, curious.

“The thingy I want is, well, I don’t know how it should look, but I want it to be able to put me in my combat outfit. I’m not sure if I’m describing it adequately enough for you. Am I?”

“You want something to let you change quickly.” Ita summarized, tilting her head. “Is that right?”

“Yeah. I want the change to be fast and not damage anything I’m wearing. Rarity has put a lot of work into my clothes, and I don’t want them destroyed every time I have to fight.”

“Sure, done.” Ita said, eyes glowing as she snapped her fingers. A very strange bracelet appeared in her outstretched finger, Ita twirling it.

“I was thinking something more like a belt buckle? My weapons are basically shotgun gauntlets, so a bracelet wouldn’t work too well for me.”

“Sure.” Ita said, seeming to crumble the bracelet up, before removing a hand, revealing the bracelet to now be a rectangular belt buckle, about the size and shape of a phone. “Just put on your combat outfit, then put this on your waist. It will connect to that outfit, so whenever you put it on, you’ll get the outfit. I’ve also made it so it can connect to multiple outfits and give you an energy boost whenever you use it.” Ita tossed the buckle over to me, and I caught it.

I looked the rectangular buckle over. “Wow, thanks. That’s like, going three extra miles for me. I guess I shouldn’t use this before I go to sleep then.”

“Probably shouldn’t.” Ita agreed, stretching. “So, this isn’t exactly free, you owe me a favor now, to be cashed in later.”

“I hope I didn’t just doom myself with this” I thought as I set the buckle with my clothes. “If it’s not exactly free, then how can I make it inexactly free?”

“Well, just do the favor for me later… don’t worry, I can promise you nothing you really don’t want to do.” Ita said with a shrug. “Oh, also, it sorta acts like a token in the sense you can talk to me through it, and if you ever need more than it can give on it’s own, just ask… though that may cost you more favors.” Ita warned.

“I guess that’s acceptable. So, are we just going to relax here for a while? It certainly seems like we’re not going anywhere at an alarming rate.”

“Sure, take a load off, masturbate, do whatever you want in here.” Ita said carelessly, shrugging and relaxing.

“I’ll pass on that second thing you said.” Just the idea of doing that sent a shiver of discomfort down my spine. “So, whenever I’m ready to go, all I need to do is tell you?”

“Yeah, I can send ya back no problem.” Ita said with a shrug. “Portal rings are kinda what the pokemon I’m displaced as is known for. It’s kinda become my thing.”

“Alright.”

After some time, I’m not sure how much, I was ready to leave. With a very nice towel Ita summoned for me, I dried myself off and put my sleepwear back on. I still wasn’t feeling 100%, but I certainly felt good enough to do some things. “Alright. I’m ready to go back.”

“Alright, bye! Don’t be a stranger now.” Ita said with a wink and a wave, opening a portal behind me. “The portal’s behind you.”

“Hm?” I turned around and indeed saw the portal. I felt a tiny bit queasy just looking at it. “Oh, thanks.” With a spoonful of trepidation, I stepped into the swirling vortex.

I must say, going through this when you’re not on the verge of losing last night’s supper is a bit better. Still, the thing wasn’t entirely pleasant either.

“There’s the end!” I was almost out of here again. It looked like my room on the exit, if the ammo tree and drill fountain on the desk were any indicators.

I also saw Rarity looking out the window. Was she crying? It certainly looked like it.

I was so distracted by Rarity that I couldn’t right myself for a proper landing and hit the floor like a brick. “Gah!”

“Yang?” Rarity said, hope clearly evident in her voice.

“Yes?” I asked her as I got to my feet.

“Yang!” Before I could stand up again, I was knocked back down by a high velocity hug from Rarity.

“What’s gotten into you, Rarity?”

“You simply vanished at breakfast. It was like the floor opened up and sucked you in.”

“Yeah. Um, Rarity? I appreciate the hug, but I also like being able to breathe.” For a unicorn, she sure had a lot of power in her body.

Rarity did not free me from her hug, but she did lessen the power. “Sorry. So what happened?”

“Well, I met someone else like me, lost last night’s supper, which I can still smell, and recovered a bit.”

“Wait, you can smell last night’s supper?”

“Some of it came out through my nose. There’s the scent of grass in there.”

“Eww.” Rarity decided she was done hugging me and backed up a bit.

“So, is Sweetie home yet?”

A moment later, I heard the front door open. “Sis, we’re here!” Well, sounds like Sweetie’s here, and she brought her friends.

“Yang, please don’t tell her about your disappearance” Rarity asked of me.

“Can do. Could you let me change?”

“Of course.” Rarity left the room, leaving me alone. I took the time to take a breather. Dimensional travel is exhausting.

Author's Notes:

Crossover with Journeys of the Golden Rings, which I have not read. This chapter was cowritten by Rezas.