"..." = Speech
<...> = Thought
---
Similar to the first; she found the guardian genie locked away in a cage but that was about where the differences between the two ended. Despite being jailed that genie did not seem worried. Her voice was not only calm but fairly jovial with no sign that she even realised the trouble she was in.
Having a big smile on her face that wouldn't look too strange on Shantae's face. If anything she seemed just as curious as the half-genie standing outside her cage - tilting her head as she quickly noticed the panicked look on the younger spirit's face. "Heya you okay out there?"
"Urgh, well, yea but you aren't about to poof on me are you?" Hurriedly asking as she remembered what happened with the last guardian genie she had met.
Initially upon seeing the genie her mind got filled with all the questions she wanted answered.
So many that she couldn't actually make head nor tail out of them.
As such she kind of just stood there in front of the cage like a complete idiot - just gawking like some tourist watching the passing crowd while trying to find where they were. Although the one being watched hardly found it offensive. "Bwahaha~ where am I going to go, in a cage like this, with sealed magic!"
"Wait, your magic is sealed, how has that happened?" Now that gawking turned straight into worried bafflement as Shantae tightly clutched the bars of the cage as if she pressed her face between them to try to get a better look inside. "Genies are made out of magic so that is really bad for us and why aren't you worried at all!"
Her panicked screams just met with the jovial laugh of her fellow.
"Ah~ you are acting just like that harpy, always so serious that one, learn to take things as they go and shake your hips to the beat. Plus genies automatically have most of our magic sealed when we could down to Genki!" Announcing while lifting her hands up in front of Shantae's face.
Shaking her wrists about as if to show something off; initially confusing Shantae more until she realised what the guardian was talking about. The glimmering gold bracelets that didn't even budge an inch despite her shaking them around. "They ain't joking when they say that a genie can change the world with just a flick of our wrists - though technically that's also because our magic requires movement bwahaha!"
That genie clearly didn't have an inside voice as her laughter bellowed throughout the room and probably got picked up by Shantae's uncle, Mimic, back in Scuttle Town.
"I-I don't think that's the same as having all your magic sealed!" Rushing to open the cage to try to find out what was actually sealing the girl's powers. Though her attempts to rush towards her led to her face being met with the palm of the guardian genies hand as she held the half-genie hero back
"Relax, it was just the cage and it is actually more similar than you'd think…" Surprisingly that genie seemed a bit more serious as she took a moment to study the metal that previously prevented her from even transforming. "This metal is very similar to the one that binds us down here on Genki."
Sure enough shock once more rang through Shantae as she gaped.
Hard not to when she heard the baffling statement that the guardian genie just told her; the metal bracers that genie were adorned with were hardly made from your regular metal.
Although it looked gold… That was not exactly the truth of its existence - especially since it must have been a metal from one of three places. Either the ancestral home of all spirits, the place where the gods gathered to watch over genki or the place no one wanted to be.
However that guardian genie truly didn't seem particularly bothered by the entire thing. Even that brief moment of seriousness had already passed her by; leaving Shantae sighing out as a rather disturbing thought came to mind. "Is this what Sky always feels like?"
Quickly shaking the negative thoughts away from her mind like they never existed as she realised she didn't have time to worry about all that. Having already decided what the first question would ask the powerful and legendary spirit. "Why are all the genies sequin land?"
That got a raised brow from the genie in question.
"I think you are a wee bit mistaken about this hun…" For some reason that actually brought an untold amount of relief to Shantae.
Sadly her hopes were quickly dashed by the genie's next words. "It is not only the genies and it is not just sequin land that we are leaving; slowly but surely all spirits have given up on genki…"
For once the guardian did not sound joyful.
Quite the opposite.
Her voice mournful as she looked with pity upon Shantae who she cupped the cheek of. It almost felt as if she was going to cry for the young half-spirit who suddenly appeared to have her dreams crushed with that one outstanding reveal. Also it was not exactly hard to guess why.
"At first we were all excited to come down here, none more than us genie who could already grant wishes due to our massive pools of magic, letting us experience a whole new world first hand. And truthfully I think there were few that did not instantly fall in love." She spoke with no small amount of wonder as well as a helping of nostalgia toward the simpler more innocent times.
Though even that pure bliss soon faded just as it did in her tale of their history. "Sadly there is a big difference between us and the immortal challenge. Did not stop emotional beings like us from quickly growing overly attached; even I will return to the spirit world after this… It… It hurts to see the world you love change into something you don't recognise and for your loved ones to return to dust."
Letting a long sigh out of the guardian genie who once seemed so bright that not even the moon could block out the light of her beaming smile.
Shantae there with tears in her eyes.
"T-That is fine, return to the spirit world, no need to worry since I'll protect everyone in your guys sted and kick the tush of evil!" Announcing with a bright smile despite the water dribbling down her cheeks. Even throwing her hand out with a big thumbs up to reassure the genie.
Now it was the guardian genies turn to be bewildered; just stood there blinking for a moment before she burst out laughing as the moody scene vanished with her elevated mood.
"Darn if people saw this they would think you are the older one - no need for a little thing like you to worry about us. We'll get over all this when we return to the spirit world but as it stands there probably aren't even 5 spirits in Genki so you have a lot of work!" Wearing a cheeky grin while poking Shantae's nose.
"So let this senior teach you about the strongest transformation there is!" A big grin on her face as she rested her knuckles upon her wide hips.
It was only now that the spirit may have had the "healthiest figure" she's ever seen.
As such she had no issues watching with great focus.
---
"That is all there is to it; dance to your hearts overflowing with power!" Yelling out while pumping her arms with as much enthusiasm as always. "I would teach you more but I didn't really pay attention when a senior was trying to teach me about magic in general bwahaha~."
Shantae could only sigh with sunken shoulders.
Though there was a small smile on her face.
Letting this guardian peaceful move on with no worries at all.
"That is fine, after all, you promised that this new transformation will help get revenge on those annoying ass water dragons down by the waterfalls." Clenching her fists in front of her face. Already imagining the look on its stupid face as she shattered it into teeny tiny pieces like chalk hit with a warhammer.
In response the guardian genie let out another bout of roarious laughter. "Can't let the last of our descendents suffer any slights no matter how minor. Just make sure to also teach that rowdy pirate a thing or two on my behalf."
"Wouldn't have it any other way, senior." Smiles growing more subtle as a silence soon found its way between the two boisterous women.
Soon a light began to envelop the older of the two who met Shantae with watery eyes.
"Better kick some ass now that I've given you my cool and powerful transformation, oh, and you'll be able to enhance your transformation at wishing wells. They used to be how mortals asked us for wishes yet now it's only useful for enhancing a genie but you'll need a wish coin." Shaking her head with a sigh.
Though she seemed to be in good spirits. "Guess us genies always have been the greediest of the spirits even if we're also the most magically powerful of the lot. Not that I bothered with that on account of it getting in the way of truly mastering the strongest of all our transformations!"
Flexing her arms to showcase her surprisingly impressive biceps. "Of course… Never be afraid to come home, and I mean our ancestral home, I'll always be ready to show you around the place. The sun always feels great - while the fruit is always bountiful despite the warm sand - like the best beach ever!"
Giving one last massive smile before she finally faded away completely into motes of light.
For a second Shantae just stood there with a warm smile on her face.
Not crying despite the departure of the only person she felt truly resonated with herself; after all they still met and had a fun time despite the briefness of their meeting.
"Well this labyrinth won't conquer itself and I need to make good on my promise." Not an ounce of sadness in her voice as she turned away from the metal cage. Walking further into the mine in hopes of finally finding that fabled material she was after.
---
Shantae just walked into another room - only for the stone door to slam down behind her. With a big open area below, a gigantic open cave on one side and another raised platform opposite to Shantae. A platform with a familiar pirate. "Well look at who finally found her way here but I guess you are merely a rookie half spirit yohohoho~."
"Risky Boots; I'm here to stop you again!" Pointing directly at that villain while issuing her challenge.
The pirate in question just raised a brow as she chastised the heroine. "Never heard it's rude to point at someone's little fairy?"
Hearing that made the outstretched hand tremble for a second before lowering. Turning to the side with her blush traveling up her elongated ears as she desperately avoided making eye contact with the older woman as she softly mumbled. "Erm sorry about that… Not a fairy either…"
"... You are just adorable." Watching with a twitching brow as that half-genie awkwardly pushed her fingers against one another while still shyly avoiding making eye contact. "Anyway it seems like I am intruding on your twos date so I'll excuse myself for now; tata~!"
"Date?" Shantae found herself questioning as that pirate ran through the doorway on their own side only for that to slam down just like hers did when she entered. Fortunately or now, it turns out that Shantae did not need Risky to answer her unconscious question, her partner for the evening soon made itself known.
In a similar scene to the dribble fountain - the room began to tremble as two gigantic stone hands clasped the edge of the room. A gigantic golem unlike any of the others pulled itself up to loomover the room. Its forehead shaped more like a crown with square indents while a really huge one existed where a scalp should have been.
Its head turned towards Shantae as it opened up its maw to begin releasing a plethora of fireballs that guided towards the half-genie.
Although she was used (well used to was a bit of an exaggeration) to ranged attacks of the Naga.
Feet shifts and body spinning; literally dancing through the danger |heh| in a truly wondrous display of footwork as she finally was managing to put her training into action with her experience.
A few spins along with said fancy steps and pivots led to her clothes not even getting singed. When the fire stopped she finally took in the full majesty of the king golem - a smile on her face as she whistled for a moment before proudly announcing. "Have something to deal with your type now."
She started similarly as she would if she wanted to transform into a Shankey, arms away from her body in a reversed "v" while shaking her hips from side to side, only to introduce a second part. This time pivoting on her left foot while bringing her right around. Showcasing and shaking her rump while her hands made a wave like motion to her side while looking over her shoulder.
A familiar light overcame her yet this time she didn't get smaller.
Quite the opposite.
Her size ballooning till she was almost reaching the golem in terms of weight class; although this transformation made dealing with them easy as killing a surfaced dirt dirt. Soon two mighty tusks breached the light as did a long cyan trunk. The light finally seemed unable to handle her form as it burst.
Exposing her elephant form to the world - she still possessed her circlet as well as earrings though now lacked the golden bracers. Not exactly surprising as they weren't the real thing. What was new was the embroidered rug that sat comfortably upon her back.
Cute little tail of course wagging behind her.
"Hope you are ready, your majesty, for your royal lumps!" Her voice carried more weight making her almost sound regal. And she certainly carried more weight as she charged forward (in a rather similar manner as with her mighty elbow) to fly off the side of the platform before jettisoning into the golem's face.
Stones flying every which way as the two came crashing down but unlike mighty elbow there was no charge up needed.
And she abused that to her heart's content.
They hadn't even hit the wall before she shot forward again to knock its head into the wall.
A crack rang out but it was hard to tell if it was from the wall, the skull of that golem or a mixture of the two plus a little bit more. She wasn't even done there as she continued to bul- attack the thing. Slamming into it continuously as she linked charge after charge in a fashion that should probably be considered a crime.
At some point it almost sounded like the golem king was crying but how could a lump of rocks ever cry out like that; they shouldn't even be able to feel pain!
Safe to say that its death was less a heroic throes as it was worn down by battle.
It was more safe to call it a whimpering that slowly grew quieter till the cracks across the gem scalp grew to great enough severity that the king simply stopped moving completely. Unable to even lift its head back up due to the elephant's constant charges. Now it showed no movement at all as it just lifelessly lay there.
"Well you weren't too tough!" Whining out as the crystal ore chunks from its head soon crumbled out of its open skull as she let her transformation be released. It also appeared that the lack of weight from the ore was noticeable as gravity seemed to finally be able to take control.
Sliding slowly at first but, as more of it slipped off the edge, the rate at which it skated off the edge only increased till it soon vanished into the darkness.
Shortly afterwards she heard a massive booming explosion as that body no doubt hit rock bottom.
Quite literally.
For a moment Shantae just silently looked at the cavernous area that the golem king had crawled out of then returned to. Just stood there in absolute silence… At least until she decided to ignore that and crouch down to pick up some of that crystal. "So I'm assuming this stuff is that ore Sky sent me to get~?"
At least that was what she thought until she saw a purple glow in the remains - quickly tossing the ore in her hand over her shoulder to riffle through what was on the floor. Eventually unearthing a rather similar looking plate to that of the Dribble Stone. Of course it was purple rather than the blue of that first one.
"Or you I guess?" Tilting her head before shrugging her shoulders while putting that plate then some of the crystal from the golem king between her breasts. "Doesn't hurt to be safe… Now how to get out of here."
Standing up to look around. "Signs really would be great right about now, or an open door, I'd happily take an open door. Hell the door could be semi-closed or even fully closed but unlocked; though I guess at least I don't have a repeat of Dribble Fountain on my hands."
Laughing at her own joke as she suddenly remembered something - reaching between her breasts to pull something out her private inventory.
"Seems these escape candies Sky made are seeing their first field test!" Throwing one in her mouth without any signs of doubt or worry; having complete faith that they would work perfectly. Huge smile on her face as she looked forward to sharing her adventure with her two closest friends.
Sky and Wrench.
Also Bolo… Probably.
A smirk appeared on her face.