My Little Okami Pt1

-= MY LITTLE OKAMI =- Part 1

- Prologue -

Many years ago, in the mystical land of Neighpon...

There was a small abode called Cherry Village, nestled by the mountains among a grove of cherry blossom trees. The ponies in this town revered each and every tree as they would a god. But, amidst the lovely scenery lurked some painful scars...

For the village was threatened by a fearsome serpent named Orochi, who demanded a young pony of purity every year as a sacrifice. The fiend's body stood strong like a mountain, and its eight necks were as thick and tough as stout tree trucks. The chilling glare of its blood red eyes was enough to curse those who gazed at them. Nopony dared to defy this monster...

Each year, as the night of the sacrifice draws near...Cherry Village is visited by a mysterious unicorn pony, coat and mane white as snow. She never spoke, and instead merely surveyed the roads at night, looking over the denizens. Believing her to be Orochi's familiar, the ponies dubbed her "Shiranui".

Only one pony dared to confront Shiranui – the brave pegasus, Hurricane. Sword in hoof, she swooped at the pale unicorn in an attempt to duel with her. However, the mare evaded Hurricane's blade with her lithe movements and fled, avoiding conflict altogether every single time.

The fateful night happened to be Orochi's 100th year of terror over Cherry Village. The feared night approached...In the night sky, an arrow of white plumes appeared, the indicator of the chosen sacrifice. This night, it sunk its tip into the home of Sailin, the village's kindest and fairest stallion. Hurricane, who had harbored a deep love for Sailin, could not accept this and flew for the beast's stronghold in his place. Everypony feared for her safety – it would be a foal's errand to confront such a monster alone.

A place as eerie and gloomy as a moonless night, the Moon Cave served as Orochi's hideaway. Advancing inward, Hurricane soon beheld the vicious beast. Eight fang-filled heads on eight thrashing necks. Hurricane may not have been the specified sacrifice, but Orochi could care less with such a reckless pony. The pegasus and serpent clashed through the night, sword against fang. Throughout the battle, Hurricane found it difficult – nay, impossible to even scratch Orochi's hide.

Her persistence waning, Hurricane fell to the ground, fatigued from the long futile battle. She was just about to accept her fate, while also praying that somepony...anypony would help her in her time of need...and that's when she appeared. The white unicorn that prowled the village every year leapt in to defend brave Hurricane. Indeed...Shiranui arrived, her coat glimmering brightly even amidst the darkness. Picking up where Hurricane left off, Shiranui confronted Orochi with an otherworldly magic.

It was a strange yet fantastic spectacle. As Orochi spewed its ferocious flames at the unicorn, she called upon a mighty wind, reducing the fire breath to a cinder. The serpent lunged its fangs toward Shiranui, but was blocked off by a tree summoned by the mare, defending her. The two were equally matched in power, and both suffered many gashes in their scuffle.

Unfortunately, Orochi still has energy to spare, while Shiranui's strength was on shaky ground. It was about to deliver a finishing bite to the unicorn, but Hurricane rushed back in, parrying its fangs with her blade. The instinct she acted on was as if she was protecting a dear friend. Taking in the situation, Shiranui caused a beacon of light to shoot up from her horn. It pierced the looming clouds overhead, causing them to part and reveal the full moon. Pale light poured down from this disc in the night sky, shining off of Hurricane's sword.

With vigor renewed, Hurricane charged once more at Orochi. With shimmering blade in hoof, she swooped and arced across the beast's necks, like a petal flying gracefully in a spring wind. One by one, Orochi's heads were separated from their throats, falling lifelessly to the ground.

Upon the end of the pegasus's spectacle, the serpent laid dead in a lake of its own blood. Hurricane gave a sigh of relief, for fear no longer gripped her village. However, Shiranui was not faring so well. She at last succumbed to the venom that Orochi had inflicted on her during their clash. Feeling deep guilt for the unicorn's state, Hurricane lifted her onto her back and carried her back to Cherry Village.

There, Hurricane explained everything to the other villagers. Shiranui was quickly losing breath. The elder gently stroked his hoof along the fair unicorn's mane, resulting in the pony shakily moving her hoof to Hurricane's, whispering "Thank you...my friend..." And then, her eyes fell closed, entering the deep slumber.

At long last, after 100 years, Cherry Village knew peace once more. The ponies paid respect to Shiranui's bold self-sacrifice by erecting a shrine in her honor, with a statue of her likeness. Hurricane's sword, rechristened "Moondancer", was placed within the Moon Cave. All the ponies looked forward to an age of endless peace and tranquility...

Ah, but this is only the beginning of our story. You see...100 years after Hurricane and Shiranui's exploits, something occurred. It happened so fast, that nopony anticipated it...

- Moon Cave -

It was barely even dawn yet. The trees swayed in the calm wind ever so minutely, as if slumbering themselves. Amidst the darkness, a lone pony walked into the recesses of the Moon Cave. Up the long stairway, she made her way to the main chamber. Broken, barren, empty...save for a lone white sword placed in a pedestal. The pony walked up to the sword and eyed it in curiosity.

Pony: So this is the sword Moondancer, huh? The sword that slew the fiend Orochi...Psssh, yeah right!

Without second thought, the pony gripped both front hooves around the blade's hilt and yanked it out of the pedestal, causing a crisp "shing" to fill the air.

Pony: That's all nothing but some old pony's-tale...

The pony then tossed the sword behind like a simple branch. However, it wasn't long before, in the cave's darkness before the pony, eight sets of red eyes glowed out. The sight of this filled the pony with shock and fright. The pony tried running away as the eyes' owner loomed its long serpentine heads out from the shadows, but the pony tripped, tumbling on the ground. The beast gazed one of its heads down at the pony, who was turning over on the ground face-up.

Shadowy Beast: Ye who seeks power, recite these words unto me: "I wish darkness upon the world." Yesss...speak these words, and unleash my true strength once more!

The pony's eyes widened in terror, realizing what this meant. Scrambling onto all four hooves, the pony wasted no time in fleeing from the Moon Cave. During this time, the monster lurched its heads out through the entrance of the cave, letting out a blood-curdling roar. This roar heralded a wave of dark flames spreading outward. The fire swallowed all in its path - trees, rocks, you name it. A maelstrom of dark clouds shot up from the Moon Cave, smothering the sky and its coming sunrise.

- Cherry Village -

And yet, during all this, one place avoided being completely consumed by the darkness - the hamlet of Cherry Village. There, in front of the giant cherry blossom tree Konohana, the shrine of Shiranui and her statue remained standing. The swirling tornado from the Moon Cave had sent a large rock curving and flying toward Shiranui's statue...but somepony appeared and swatted the rock away with her mighty wings. It was a medium-sized pink alicorn, with a mane of paler pink, a graceful pink/green kimono, a purple cloth wrapped around her forelegs, and a sakura flower tucked by her left ear.

(Wood Sprite - Cherry Pink)

The spirit's pure pink eyes surveyed the darkened sky and the gray emptiness that replaced the village below.

Cherry Pink: What a troubling sight! To think that tragedy would swallow our land again so suddenly...Are we truly facing the end of days?

Cherry Pink then looked to the statue.

Cherry Pink: My power is quickly exhausted, and can only do so much for Neighpon, besides...There is but one choice left!

With her front hoof, she drew a circle of bright sparkles, which formed into a stone mirror.

Cherry Pink: Blessed guardian Okami Sparkle, the hour of your need is upon us. Please, guide our world back to harmony with your heavenly rays!

The mirror flew through the air, arcing around and stopping just above the Shiranui statue's back. Then, a bright light engulfed the two. The mirror became a beautiful purple metal, and the statue gained life. Where the statue stood, there now stands a young white unicorn pony, bearing markings of purple and orange on her mane, her tail, and her body. Small wings adorned her ankles, and her eyes flashed open, giving off a beautiful purple light.

(Celestial Pony - Okami Sparkle)

The weary pony hopped down from the statue pedestal.

Okami Sparkle: Nnn...Good morning.
Cherry Pink: Ah, such divine light! Such beauty and grace! Only a pony of the Celestials such as yourself could provide such a wondrous spectacle. Many times have I recounted your exploits... {dries an eye} It brings me such joy to see you alive once more -

Cherry Pink looked back over to Okami Sparkle, who had fallen fast asleep out of exhaustion.

Cherry Pink: (!) Oh dear...Perhaps she was woken too suddenly?

Okami Sparkle soon opened an eye, though, and noticed the lightless sky above.

Okami Sparkle: Hm...? {lifts head} Uh, is it normally this cloudy here?
Cherry Pink: I'm afraid not...Ever since your untimely end 100 years ago, many monsters have caused trouble across the land of Neighpon. But never in this century have things transpired to this state...
Okami Sparkle: Is that so... {hops to all fours} Well...I guess I've got nothing else to do, anyway...so I'll do what I can to fix this mess! Promise!
Cherry Pink: A noble promise to make. But while you are at it, I have another request for you to - (!)
Okami Sparkle: Yes? What request?
Cherry Pink: O-Oh my...! {flails left sleeve} Has he gotten into my robes again??

As she shook her sleeve, Cherry Pink laughed as if being tickled. Finally, from out of the sleeve flew a tiny figure, about an inch tall and giving off a magical green light. Closer inspection would show that he has a pointed tail and is wearing a wide-brimmed hat made from a beetle's husk. He quickly jumped to his feet, bouncing like a flea.

Tiny Figure: Ouch...no need to make a fuss, Cherry! I was just...standing by. Y'know, in case the conversation needed me?
Okami Sparkle: Huh? {to Cherry Pink} Do you know this bug?
Cherry Pink: Well, as a matter of fact -
Tiny Figure: Bug?? I'm no bug! Cherry Pink here can confirm that. I happen to be a wandering artist, y'know. The name's Spikun!

(Wandering Artist - Spikun)

Spikun: I mean, sheesh, everypony here in Cherry Village knows me. I plan to make my brushwork known worldwide, though! Here, check this out!

From out of nowhere, Spikun drew out a scroll and tossed it to Okami Sparkle. She caught it with her horn's telekinesis and looked at it. It was a beautifully-drawn image of Cherry Pink herself.

Okami Sparkle: Hmm...
Spikun: Nice, huh? It's like having the real deal right in front of you! Hey, wait a minute...

Spikun hopped on top of Sparkle's shout, getting a better look at her.

Spikun: Come to think of it...I don't think I've ever seen a pony like you around here before...I mean, besides that statue of Shiranui right in front of -

Spikun looked to the pedestal where Shiranui's statue once stood, but noticed that it was gone.

Spikun: (!) H-Hey! It was here not too long ago...Where'd it - ?

Just then, a haunting roar filled the air. This made Spikun leap high into the air and fall right onto Okami Sparkle's mane.

Okami Sparkle: (!) That roar...!
Spikun: Wh-What was that?? And hey, how come it's so dark?
Okami Sparkle: Oh boy... {to Cherry Pink} Alright, I'll definitely get to the bottom of this.
Cherry Pink: Of course...But first, I request that Cherry Village be restored. When the cataclysm broke out, I placed the town's essence within the fruit up on Konohana. If you can cut it loose, the village will reawaken. I entrust you and your divine power with this task, Okami Sparkle...For now, I must...

With that, Cherry Pink faded away in a flurry of petals.

Okami Sparkle: W-Wait! What about that other favor you wanted to ask?? {worried} ...She's gone. Well...

Sparkle and Spikun looked up at Konohana. Sure enough, a large peach hung on its branch.

Spikun: Uh...I'm kinda lost by what all Cherry said. I mean, cataclysm? And the town's essence in that fruit up there...?
Okami Sparkle: So if I just break it loose...

Sparkle tried to use her magic to pull the fruit loose from the branch...but to no avail. Its stem was fastened tightly to the branch.

Okami Sparkle: No dice...She did say something about cutting it loose, though.
Spikun: Cut THAT loose? With what?
Okami Sparkle: I-I don't know! {sigh} After a nap like that, I'm not sure of a lot of things...
Spikun: Well...

Spikun then looked to Konohana. To his surprise, there was a bright portal in front of the trunk.

Spikun: Say, call it a hunch, but...what if what you're looking for is in there?
Okami Sparkle: In there?

Sparkle looked around. There wasn't really any place else to go, since everywhere else in the village was barren.

Okami Sparkle: Well...alright, let's check it out.
Spikun: Alright! And hey, it looks like you're pretty lost, so I'll stick around and be your tour guide. How's that?
Okami Sparkle: ...

In any case, Okami Sparkle with Spikun in tow entered the portal...

- River of the Heavens -

On the other side of the portal, Okami Sparkle came across a series of small land masses floating amidst the vastness of the stars. Something about it seemed nostalgic to Sparkle.

Okami Sparkle: Hey, I remember this place...
Spikun: You do? 'Cuz...I've never seen any place like this in Cherry Village. I mean, where the heck are we?

In any case, Okami Sparkle walked onward, until she ran into a broken bridge that divided two separate land masses.

Spikun: Whoawhoawhoa! Hold your horses!
Okami Sparkle: (!) The bridge is out??
Spikun: Hehehe...well, not for long, um...hey, what's your name again? I know I heard Cherry say "Okami Sparkle", but...
Okami Sparkle: Yeah, that's my name. Okami Sparkle.
Spikun: Really? Well, Sparkle, you ever heard of "spirits of the brush"? Some folks say that good brushwork has its own magic...ah, I'll just show you. A picture's worth a thousand words, right?

Spikun drew out his sword, which had a hilt tipped with an ink brush. He focused some sort of magic into the hilt end, conjuring an eagle-eye image of the broken bridge just ahead. He then traced his finger across the bridge area, spreading some sort of shiny green magic ink on it. Okami Sparkle saw a similar green glow being spread on the bridge itself, taking the bridge's supposed shape.

Okami Sparkle: {amazed} Wha - ?

Spikun dismissed the image, and the glow around the bridge solidified, forming a new repaired bridge.

Okami Sparkle: The...The bridge is back!
Spikun: Nice, huh? That's a little trick called "Rejuvenation"! Just one of 14 many techniques that draw upon a divine force. This one can restore things that are gone. I've been working over and over to master this one technique...
Okami Sparkle: 14 techniques...?

As Sparkle walked across the new bridge, Spikun continued.

Spikun: Yeah. They say that there was a tribe of ponies that wielded the full power of these techniques. It was like they could affect reality itself with just a stroke of ink! But...very long ago, the tribe just disappeared, and the servant spirits that housed these abilities were scattered.
Okami Sparkle: Scattered...where?
Spikun: Well, all over Neighpon. Funny thing is, this tribe could even lend the powers to worthy wielders. I mean, I don't get how exactly that...

It wasn't long before Okami Sparkle came across another wide gap between land masses. This time, these two were bordered by a small edge of sparkling water.

Okami Sparkle: This spot...This is where the River of the Heavens should be.
Spikun: River of the Heavens? You mean the fabled stardust river?
Okami Sparkle: Yeah, I...I just remember something like that being in this area...!
Spikun: Um...all I see is a dinky little puddle.
Okami Sparkle: I know...It...SHOULD be here, but it's not...!

Just then, a bright light shone down from above, prompting Okami Sparkle and Spikun to look up at the skies. There, they saw a series of stars and connecting lines.

Spikun: Wowww...! Look at those stars! It's just...really easy to make out the constellation in 'em!
Okami Sparkle: Yeah, but...look! One of the stars seems to be missing.

Sure enough, two connecting lines were missing a star.

Spikun: Is it? Well, no problem. Just let ol' Spikun dot it back in...

Spikun called up the same screen before him, only this time it spanned over the constellation above. He then placed a dot on the empty corner. When he dismissed the screen and activated his drawing's magic...a tiny leaf appeared and drifted across the wind.

Spikun: Bah...! Guess I'm not good enough to draw stars back in...I mean, if someone as studious with drawing magic as me can't do it, who can??

While Spikun was ranting to himself, Sparkle gazed and concentrated at the constellation. Almost instinctively, her horn conjured a similar screen that Spikun's brush-sword did. There, she drew with her horn a dab of sparkling purple ink. On the constellation, a sparkling purple glow was dabbed on the empty corner. It then dissipated, revealing a restored star.

Spikun: (?) H-Hu...? Who drew that in - ?

Before anypony could say another word, the constellation seemed to spring to life. From it, a large long-bodied dragon flew out. He bore the same colorations as Okami Sparkle, clutched an orb in each of his four hands, and halfway down his body transitioned into a large scroll.

Life Anew: Ah, Okami Sparkle, it has been eons since I last saw your bright face.
Okami Sparkle: Hm...Likewise, great spirit Life Anew.
Life Anew: I must apologize for not contacting you sooner...Ever since the great cataclysm above, we 14 spirits of the drawing magic arts have scattered across the land of ponies. But never having forgotten you, I, Life Anew, spirit of restoration, have waited among the stars for your arrival. Okami Sparkle, I grant you my power so that you may revive the dried riverbed of stardust. I wish you nothing but success and happiness on your journey.

With that, Life Anew merged his four orbs above him as he faded away. The merged orb became a ball of light, which entered Okami Sparkle's horn.

Spikun: Whoa! Was that really Life Anew, one of the brush spirits? Wait...he just granted you Rejuvenation, didn't he?
Okami Sparkle: Yeah, he said to use it to revive the river...

Sparkle concentrated on the river, calling up the drawing magic screen before her.

Spikun: Revive the river? C'mon, that would mean you'd be as good as - no, BETTER than yours truly with the magic brush! I mean, it's one thing to fix a bridge, but to refill a stardust river? Yeesh!

While Spikun was talking, Okami Sparkle used her horn to draw the same purple magic ink all over the image of the empty riverbed. The same purple glow was seen manifesting across the river itself.

Okami Sparkle: And...done!

Activating the magic, the purple glow on the riverbed restored the lost stardust water in the River of the Heavens. Needless to say, Spikun was astonished.

Spikun: {shocked} Huh...? Wh...What??
Okami Sparkle: {giggles} You make it sound like it's impossible, O wandering artist.

In any case, Okami Sparkle swam across the restored stardust river to the other side. There was a lot more ground to cover ahead - a long stairway leading up to a cavern. The stairway itself was flanked by forest land and a river running from a waterfall up ahead.

Spikun: That...That couldn't have been your etch work, I-I'm sure of it!
Okami Sparkle: Quite griping! What's done is done. Now, what's up ahead...

Sparkle continued up the stairway, and found herself in the cavern up ahead. There, she and Spikun saw a large statue of a pegasus mare holding a sword skyward. The sword itself seems to be broken in half.

Spikun: That's a statue of...Hurricane?
Okami Sparkle: Of course...this place is the Cave of Hurricane!
Spikun: Oh yeah! The secret shrine of the hero Hurricane! The one that fought alongside Shiranui 100 years ago! Hm, but that sword...it sure looks like it's seen better days.
Okami Sparkle: {sigh} Well, nopony's been around to keep it in shape. Can't just leave it like this, though...

With that, Okami Sparkle called up her drawing screen, focusing on the statue's sword. She then drew magic ink over the broken sword's empty half. Activating the spell, the sword's missing half was restored, good as new.

Okami Sparkle: There we go! That should at least please Hurricane.
Spikun: So...it WAS you drawing that river back in! And now the sword? Huh...you're definitely no ordinary unicorn. Who ARE you, exac - ?

Before Spikun could continue, a series of stars shone above the Hurricane statue.

Spikun: Wait...it looks like...another constellation? This one's...?

Noticing the missing star, Okami Sparkle used her drawing magic to dot it back in.

Okami Sparkle: There we go! This constellation...looks like...

Like with Life Anew's constellation, a spirit emerged from this one. Resembling a mouse with a small sword sheath, he clutched the hilt with his forepaw and whipped out the sword, revealing it to be a giant zweihander.

Okami Sparkle: Squeak Scabbard! I haven't seen you in...well, a very long time!
Squeak Scabbard: I can certainly say the same. Great pony who descended to protect the mortal land...It has been a long time since great terror was last purged from Neighpon. But I could not find refuge anywhere, save for this shrine of the legendary hero. For your quest, I, Squeak Scabbard, bestow upon you the bite of my holy blade. Use it well!

Squeak Scabbard held up his massive sword, turning it into an orb of light as he faded away. The orb merged into Okami Sparkle's horn.

Spikun: Was that...?
Okami Sparkle: Mm-hmm, Squeak Scabbard. Master of the Power Slash. Basically, this technique applies extra force to an applied area, capable of cutting through things like branches or even rocks. However, it IS a holy power, so it has a fail-safe that prevents fatal injury to innocents -
Spikun: Okay, okay! Knowing that he's Squeak Scabbard is enough for me...But I mean how'd you know him and that other brush spirit so well? And how'd you know so much about the Power Slash?
Okami Sparkle: Um... {taps chin} Y'know, I'm...not really sure myself.
Spikun: You sure are something...I mean, I knew you looked so much like Shiranui. I didn't think you'd be as good with drawing magic as her, though! Say, why don't you prove your...know-all with Power Slash on that rock there?

Spikun pointed to a nearby boulder near the cave's mouth. Focusing on it, Okami Sparkle called up her drawing screen. On it, she drew a straight line across the rock. Activating the Power Slash, the rock was suddenly sheared in half by Sparkle's magic strike.

Spikun: Whohohoa! Now that IS magic! I...gotta admit, you might be better than me...
Okami Sparkle: Aw, don't sell yourself short...uh, pun not intended. You just gotta get some practice. I mean, for me, it's more like dumb luck at remembering -
Spikun: Practice? That's all I gotta do?
Okami Sparkle: Sure!
Spikun: Hm...Alright, my mind's made up! I'll stick with you and watch your craft! Maybe then, I can perfect my own drawing magic! And in return, I'll be your guide wherever you go! Lucky you, huh?
Okami Sparkle: (!) L-Lucky me??

Okami Sparkle tried shaking Spikun off of her mane, but it was no use. He stood on there like a rock.

Spikun: Hehehe, no use trying to ditch me. Once I set a plan, I see it through! And trust me, things are way better with a companion around. Don't you agree?
Okami Sparkle: Ugh...Alright, companion. Anyway, now that I've reclaimed the Power Slash technique, I can get that fruit down and restore Cherry Village.
Spikun: Oh yeah! Let's hurry back, then!

With the Power Slash technique back, Okami Sparkle headed back down the stairway, back across the River of the Heavens, and back through the portal.

- Cherry Village -

Back on the other side of the portal, Okami Sparkle looked back to the fruit hanging on Konohana.

Okami Sparkle: There's the fruit again...Okay, Sparkle, time to work your magic!

Calling up her drawing screen, Okami Sparkle drew a line at the fruit's stem. The activating Power Slash cut the fruit loose from the tree branch, making it fall to the ground. Upon impact, though, it burst into a wave of light, which traveled across the grounds of Cherry Village, restoring everything - plants, buildings, even its bodies of water.

Spikun: Alright! The village is back!
Okami Sparkle: I'll say! Cherry Pink really came through here.
Spikun: Yeah...Kinda wish I could've spent more time in her sleeve...She's got one cozy shoulder~
Okami Sparkle: ...
Spikun: A-Anyway, knowing that there might be monsters around, we better make sure the village is safe, just to be sure.
Okami Sparkle: You're telling me. If these monsters are still around Neighpon...