We exited on top of a mountain. Now I can say having grown up around mountains that I was not scared of heights… but damn if we weren't high! “Of course it’s in a mountain, why wouldn’t it be.” I muttered turning around to see Simon and Orvok exit the door. Upon closing, the door disappeared leaving no trace. “So any idea where we are?”

Simon formed a small ball and kneed it into the air like a hacky sack, it going a few miles high. Being a soccer player in the past I could tell he had a good kick and form. Hell he could probably give most World Cup players a run for their money. Instead of going down, the ball hovered at the peak of its ascent, then opened like an eye. I looked to Simon and felt ill when I noticed that he had formed that ball from his head.”You okay there best buddy?” I had to ask.

Simon’s body gave a thumbs up before absorbing some of the stone wall beside us, forming a new head. “Yeah, just made a little spy drone, Seems we are near your worlds version of Griffonstone, apparently they are harpies here, just like in mine.”

“Yugioh harpies or wing in the back harpies?” I asked trying to figure out what they looked like.

Simon frowned “err… never watched Yugioh. But…. not outta the back. Wings for arms.”

“Ahh… Yugioh harpies,” I nodded before turning back to look at the town in the distance. “So if they are related to griffons…. I got nothing. What are they like?” I think I failed my knowledge roll.

Simon smiled “They are greedy, but they are loyal friends once you get through to them. It’s hard work getting them to like you, but once you do, it’s a friend for life.”

“So should I try not to smart off too much to them?” I needed to know how much to scream when I say something bad.

Simon nodded. “Don’t compare them to birds or to cats, and we should be fine. Also don’t say any insults regarding feathers.”

“Well time to not think of pink elephants.” I start walking forward only to fall on my face when an earthquake shook the entire mountain. “Ow,” I mumbled from my new bed. I cast a quick Heal over myself. “Think that’s Snuffles new pal?”

Simon nodded as Orvok suddenly disappeared through a portal, a giant looking legendary Graug covered in red crystal appeared. It looked to me and waved “Friend?”

“The best!” I gave a thumbs up while screaming in terror on the inside. They were so much scarier in real life.

The Graug smiled happily “Yay! Friend! Share food when fighting done! Smell bad thing, want hurt poppa!”

“Thank god he meant the Balrog.” When was the last time I had a shower or bath? Note to self get a bath. “Hey Simon,” I whispered, “I smell better then him right?”

Simon shrugged “I have no sense of smell, lost it when I was eaten by SIVA. But Snuffles would tell you if you smelled bad, he’d say you were ‘stinky’ and try to get you to a river.”

I felt a hand slowly pick me up as my stomach dropped. “Which one of us jinxed it?” I yell while my feet left the ground.

Snuffles then set me on his head, a small seat like back pack on him, “Friend ride?”

Oh thank god, “Sure, but if you get tired or need a break just let me know. We need you big guy to beat the bad guy who’s illegally bird hunting.” I think Simon said something about not calling them birds but I forgot.

Snuffles snorted as if he were laughing “Funny! Friend funny! But need not say those funnies.” I’m trying Snuffles, I’m trying!

Snuffles then walked with Simon towards the rapidly approaching city, damn we were moving fast! How Was Simon keeping- oh right he can fly. I should really look into some method of fast travel, I think I can hook up mirrors to transport me across distances. “So do we have a plan? Please don’t say it’s attack.” I pleaded.

Simon laughed as we quickly reached the village, only to find that the Balrog was pounding away at a huge dome of violet magic. Simon frowned “Okay, me and Snuffles will fight the balrog, you try to drain its power and seal it, okay?”

I attached another Demon, since I wouldn’t need Comet. “Come forth Chronos!” The gate opened as a woman covered in armor of silver and black appeared. She had long brown hair that showed through a horned helmet. Hovering over her shoulders were heavy black shields layered on top of each others held together by glowing blue chains. “I order you to protect the barrier!” She said nothing, only giving a nod of acknowledgement before flying over to the wall and blocking one of the hits. “I just need it worn down before I can seal it.” I mentioned while Concentrating.

Simon nodded and flew to the Balrog as he grabbed it’s chain by the burning end, roaring in rage as he absorbed the Balrogs weapon, using it to form several spear like things that floated around him as he pulled out a sinister looking bow with a red string. He drew the spear to the bow like an arrow and fired it straight into the Balrogs center mass.

Meanwhile, Snuffles gently set me down off to the side before the Balrog was sent flying towards him in a massive explosion of SIVA packing solar energy. “Gear Slot Two!” I felt my shield disappear as The Fallen Angel Sword appeared in my hand while the Demon Slayer turned into a crossbow. I felt God’s Arms shift a little but seemed to settle as the SIVA pulled along the bolt. “Terra Bane!” The increased strength of both of the improvement and boost of the other sword caused the bolt to launch out of the crossbow and fliker into three. I felt some joy as it hit the Balrog in both of its eyes, which now glowed not from heat, but Taken energy.

Until, that is, the Balrog looked to me in rage after ripping out the bolts. Before I could even... shout in a super manly fashion, Snuffles was on the big bastard. Grabbing the Balrog from behind and ramming him into the dirt. Snuffles roared and seemed completely different from earlier, now emphasizing every syllable with a blow to the Balrogs body or head. “NO HURT FRIEND! FRIEND IS FRIEND! NO LOSE MORE FRIEND!” That needed looking into and not by me.

“Chronos protect the big guy! Iron Wall 3!” Sheets of metal appeared before all three of us before fading into us. Iron Wall was Chronos’s special ability, it lowered all physical damage you took. The Demon floated over and hovered around Snuffles.

Snuffles, however, was busy breaking the Balrogs horns off. No really, he ripped them off of the bastards head, before breaking its wings by jabbing the horns into them. He then looked to me and took a shaky breath. “Is weak enough now!? No want look at meany!”

I turned my full attention to the broken mass before me. I saw it start thrashing when it looked at me, or more specifically my eye. Blue chains started forming around it pulling it together. The thrashing became more wild as more of it was being pulled in by the chains. “Can someone hold it down for me!?” I yelled while sweat beads started falling down my face. This thing was way stronger then NM.

Snuffles nodded and pounded it three times on the head with both fists, knocking it out cold. The chains were quick to finish their job now as it was fully pulled into the ball of blue chains. Then they lashed out and buried themselves into Snuffles chest as if anchoring themselves. “That was not supposed to happen!” I yelled hoping not to piss of the SIVA king beside me. The chains proceeded to slowly push into Snuffles as his skin parted before them like water. Once the last of it was inside I felt the mark the Huntsman left turn off. I hadn’t even realized that it was going until now, but it did explain a lot.

Snuffles looked to Simon and frowned. “Snuffles sorry, poppa, got too mad again.”

Simon smiled and walked over to Snuffles as the dome lowered “Hey, no worries, bud. You are just a pup, after all, you did me proud though! You took out a freaking Balrog like he was some two bit punk! That deserves some extra jewels back home!” At this, Snuffles cheered happily.

“Yeah hate to break this up…” I said walking up, “But Snuffles do you feel alright? Is the soul causing you any trouble?” Don’t want anything going wrong at this point.

Snuffles shook his head “No hurty, just feeling lots stronger. Feel like can fight better, and… feel like this not only me now.” Snuffles closed his eyes, before long he was a few shades darker in color and had fire coming out of his mouth and nose, with bright white chain marks showing under the skin of his body, mimicking the leylines of his body. He then closed his eyes again, and reverted back, smiling happily. “Now have two me!”

“Okay, glad your doing good big guy.” I patted the side of his arm, the highest I could reach on him. “Just let Simon know if things start to go wrong.” I then turned to Simon, “So what now? Go and throw a party for saving the Kingdom. Which I’m sure is just another Thursday for you two.”

“Did someone say PARTY?!” A voice screamed next to me. I found myself clinging to Snuffles’s arm before realizing who had yelled at me.

Snuffles tilted his head curiously. “Why pink lady yell? It scare friend.” LIES! I wasn’t scared just startled… a lot. I slowly let go of Snuffles arm while dusting myself off. I saw Simon shaking with repressed laughter.

“Oh I’m sorry, and I screamed because Parties are important. Have you ever been to a Party?” Pinkie asked looking up at him with a head tilt. Why could I tell she capitalized the ‘p’s?

Snuffles nodded. “Had party last week before coming this world. Beat mean lady who hurt us, throw party celebrate!”

“And you just beat a meanie thingie!” Pinkie said pointing at Snuffles. “So what do you do after beating meanies? You party!”

“With logic like that, who could beat that?” I asked while looking at Simon. “So how bout it Hero King? Care to join us for what should be an awesome party?”

Simon grinned. “Sure thing. Just let me make a cave for Snuffles to sleep in, don’t want him having to sleep in the town.”

Snuffles nodded sheepishly. “Might squish, roll in sleep.”

“Aww… Do you need a massage too?” A quiet voice asked while patting Snuffles. So Flutter was a Pegasis. “How about some food? Can’t sleep on an empty stomach.”

Snuffles smiled at Fluttershy “Me eat rocks and metal, sometimes jewels if good! Like the blue ones… and am-ee-thist.”

Simon smiled at Fluttershy, “I got his food settled, I can make him a cave pretty easy, and I’ll even be able to seal it after, so no worries there. Snuffles, when do you want me to make the cave, about an hour?”

Snuffles nodded “Yes, poppa, want go to party!”

“Hmm… A party with a hour intermission,” Pinkie said while taking a thinker pose using one of Snuffles foot as a stool. “I can work with that, yeah I can work with that.”

“As nice as this all is. Who are you guys?” A voice butted in as a very familiar wizard said. Dang it memory why do you fail me now!? Twimight? Snarkle? Twiblight? Smatlight? Of course I could remember the others name. But her? Swoosh, gone.

“Yeah,” Rainbow archer said while rushing up to Snuffles. “As awesome as you are we still need to protect this place!” Wow a complement and threat.

“RAINBOW!” Flutters yelled appearing in front of her. “He is a giant teddy bear! Aren’t you?” She turned and started petting him like a dog.

Snuffles turned his head to Fluttershy curiously “What is teddy bear? Is nice? Snuffles nice until try hurt friend.”

“Well you guys have met the giant so how about you two?” Wow, she seemed tired. The shield must have taken a lot out of the purple wizard.

Simon frowned warily. “I’m Simon, I’m from another realm, and the current king of my people. Now, would someone please tell your polychromatic friend to stop giving Snuffles the stink eye? It’s really starting to annoy me. Snuffles is basically my son, so I don’t exactly like people being unkind to him.”

This seemed to get different reactions from the group. Purple people eater waved her hand for Rainbow to stand down while Rainbow hovered down to behind her. Pinkie had already left, talking a mile a minute about some thing to do with streamers. Fluttershy was talking a mile a minute asking questions from how he was born to if he born from an egg.

Well looks like it’s up to me to get things back on track. “You know I’m not sure if I should be hurt that you don’t remember me.” I gave a smile while walking a bit forward relaxed. “How’s it going?”

Twilight turned toward me as if seeing me for the first time. Her eyes widened while her hand raised while pointing a finger at me. “Yeah I know. Where’s Ed? I sent him home after we beat the ‘master’. So no need to worry, I got out.” I saw Rainbow stop flying and fall to the ground as she took on the same shocked expression.

“As much fun as it would be to get an explanation, I feel the need to offer our own thanks.” A harpy dressed in heavy armor said. They had whiteish wings with a few dark spots, like that of an owl, while the armor he wore was pure silver but showed wear and tear with knicks and scratches showing on its surface. “So shall we proceed inside.” Their voice was like gravel on cement with a deep tone in it. “I have quite a few questions to ask you three.”

Well been here for… ten minutes and I haven’t put my foot in my mouth! Wonder how long I can keep this up! “To the bir-” I was quick to bite my tongue. You were not ruining this now mouth. I saw a couple heads turn my way as I quickly started whistling. “What? I was just thinking of a song and forgot the lyrics.” Play it cool Oz, play it cool…

Simon looked to Fluttershy and smiled tensely “I would not know how Graugs are born, I found him near death in the badlands, healed him up with my SIVA, and we’ve been inseparable ever since.”

Snuffles nodded. “Almost go to forever sleep like momma cause hunters hurt for skin and bone.”

“Oh you poor baby!” Fluttershy cooed while trying to hug him. “Did you capture those mean bad hunters?” She asked while looking at Simon.

Simon nodded “The magi responsible are still being hunted to this day. I will not see the hunting of Graugs turn any profit for those disgusting wretches. Someone who would harm a cub is no longer welcome by my people. We are working with the magi to enforce our laws on poaching.”

“Oh so your from another dimension too?” Twilight asked while Fluttershy had pulled a blanket out of somewhere and was trying to put it on Snuffles.

As Snuffles played with the blanket, and laughed with Fluttershy and the ‘fun game’ Simon nodded. “I honestly doubt you would like my dimension, your people, the Magi, are quite cruel to mine, the Kin.”

“Um… guys are we just going to ignore the birdies?” I asked while pointing at the annoyed general. Wait, what did I just say?

Simon facepalmed and walked over to me before smacking me upside the head. “I said not to call them that, and I was about to direct us toward the kind general who was offering his hospitality.” He then turned to the annoyed harpie general. “I for one, if your offer still stands after my friends blunder, would be delighted to enjoy your hospitality.” Well if he didn’t accept I could always get on my hands and knees to ask for forgiveness.

“Yes the offer still stands,” The man said while gesturing for us to follow him. “Come I’m sure that pink menace has already made a party… This would have been her twentieth offence…” Dude sounded resigned to his fate.

Simon smiled wryly. “How about this? You and your people remove the party ban, and I get you your lost Idol? I can do things most individuals can’t, so… Offers open.”

“Wait what Idol?” I hate being confused, or lost. “Hey where is your ruler anyway?” You think the king would have been here by now.

Simon frowned. “If this dimension is like my own, they have no king, mostly just generals who head the village, like a mayor. The last king lost their sacred Idol of Boreas, which was their unifying force.” Wow I was learning so much today.

“Alright I’ll get the whip you grab the hat, and Snuffles provides the wit, we’ll have this thing back by sundown!” I yelled while pointing at the sky.

Simon smirked. “Where are we going then, mister confident?”

“I have no idea!” I said giving my best smile. “But it must be somewhere in Griffinstone!” Behold my deductionary skills. BEHOLD I SAY!

Simon sighes and smacks my head again, this time knocking me face first into a lady Griffons bosom by accident. I would rate them a 6 out of 10 on the comfy scale. Could be the brain damage though.

Simon breaks out laughing. “Good luck with Gilda, man!” TRAITOR! Skills I don’t have don’t fail me now.

“Um… Lovely weather isn’t it?” Nailed it! “So… want to help find an Idol?” Please don’t kill me I have yet to smash my computer and destroy all the porn it contains! Or I could just delete the search history, that TOO!

“You want to make me your idol?” She asked while swaying from side to side. You know I think might be drunk. Lucky me…? “Okay weird monkey thing, you may worship me.” She started to go for her shirt.

“OH GOD SIMON! SAVE ME!” I yelled while grabbing her arms from doing what I think they were doing.

Simon then simply uses his SIVA to dissolve her top. From across the party. Damn he has skills. Not the skills I was hoping for though. But still, many points to him.As I thought this, he dissolved my shirt as well, and made them fall on the ground next to him. All points GONE! Well only one option left. Simon then wolf whistled, and shouted “Kiss, Kiss, KKKIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSS!”

“RETURN DOOR!” A gateway of glowing energy popped up behind me. I was quick to jump in it. I popped up next to Simon only to have my glare interrupted by a sudden weight on my back.

“Where you going?” Her breath reeked of booze and maybe… bread?

“I blame you.” I said while glaring at Simon.

Simon whispered to Gilda. “He’s playing hard to get, guys really shy, just kiss his worries away.” Okay time for option two.

“Snuffles help me!” I yelled looking for my new savior, hopefully. Ah! She’s trying to kiss me! And she’s failing horribly!

Snuffles was too busy, it seems, playing charades with the girls. He had a huge moustache and clothes that screamed peewee herman.

Simon then clocked Gilda in the head smirking. “You owe me a life debt now,” At my confused stare he happily enlightened me, “Harpies mate for life.” Wow, I just dodged a million bullets.

“Your still a virgin.” Terra informed me. Thanks for reminding me asshole.

Simon then chuckles “I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He left while I pushed the Harpie off me. I grabbed my shirt, god was I wore this ugly thing under my sweater!, and put it back on. Awkwardly I started putting Gilda’s shirt on while trying to not get sued for sexial harresment.

“What… the… hell?” Rainbow asked while I turned around.

“There is a very good, maybe, reason for this, maybe.” I said while finishing lowering the shirt. “Unless you're jealous, then yes it is.”

She tackled me to the ground. “What are you doing to my ex-friend!” I tried to get up or push her up.

“Hey I’m back… You work fast.” Simon said holding a golden statue, hey that might be the Idol of Boring.

“If it makes me look better then… yes.” I said laying down to accept whatever fate I disserved. Rainbow’s face turned bright red while I saw Simon give Gilda the idol. I saw a fist head my way as my world descended into darkness.

Author's Notes:

Sorry about the long time. Was having trouble IRL so... hope you enjoy!