Description
Dustin Henderson (Hippogriff / Sea Pony Hybrid)
Species & Form
• Primary Form: Hippogriff (griffin-like upper body with feathers, wings, and talons, and the lower body of a pony with cloven hooves).
• Secondary Form: Sea Pony (can transform into a sleek aquatic seapony form with fins, tail flukes, and shimmering scales when submerged in water).
• Like Silverstream in MLP canon, Dustin uses a magical transformation pearl shard gifted by Queen Novo’s people that allows him to shift between both forms with ease. This makes him one of the group’s most versatile adventurers—equally comfortable on land, in the sky, or underwater.
• Primary Form: Hippogriff (griffin-like upper body with feathers, wings, and talons, and the lower body of a pony with cloven hooves).
• Secondary Form: Sea Pony (can transform into a sleek aquatic seapony form with fins, tail flukes, and shimmering scales when submerged in water).
• Like Silverstream in MLP canon, Dustin uses a magical transformation pearl shard gifted by Queen Novo’s people that allows him to shift between both forms with ease. This makes him one of the group’s most versatile adventurers—equally comfortable on land, in the sky, or underwater.
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Appearance
• Hippogriff form:
• A fluffy mane of dark curls, styled a little wild and unruly, almost like his human counterpart’s hair.
• Light tan feathers with a freckled pattern, fading into pale gray at the tips of his wings.
• Talons are a muted bronze-gold, with scratches from tinkering with tools and inventions.
• He often wears enchanted saddlebags filled with gadgets, maps, and food (snacks are important).
• Sea Pony form:
• Retains his curly mane, though it floats gently underwater like kelp.
• His scales shimmer turquoise and silver, with a slight glow when he gets excited or panicked.
• Fins are wide and practical, shaped more like a dolphin’s tail for fast movement.
• Loves decorating his fins with seashell charms or little trinkets he’s found.
• Hippogriff form:
• A fluffy mane of dark curls, styled a little wild and unruly, almost like his human counterpart’s hair.
• Light tan feathers with a freckled pattern, fading into pale gray at the tips of his wings.
• Talons are a muted bronze-gold, with scratches from tinkering with tools and inventions.
• He often wears enchanted saddlebags filled with gadgets, maps, and food (snacks are important).
• Sea Pony form:
• Retains his curly mane, though it floats gently underwater like kelp.
• His scales shimmer turquoise and silver, with a slight glow when he gets excited or panicked.
• Fins are wide and practical, shaped more like a dolphin’s tail for fast movement.
• Loves decorating his fins with seashell charms or little trinkets he’s found.
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Cutie Mark / Magical Emblem
Since hippogriffs don’t traditionally have cutie marks, Dustin instead has a crest sigil that appears faintly when he performs strong magic or mechanical work: a conch shell entwined with a gear. This symbolizes his gift for combining the natural and mechanical—blending invention with adaptability.
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Personality
• Clever & Resourceful: Dustin is the “engineer” of the party. He’s the one who rigs up magical contraptions, reverse-engineers enchanted items, and always has a backup plan when things go wrong.
• Cheerful Optimist: He’s upbeat and chatty, often lifting the group’s spirits during dark times. Even in dangerous situations with corrupted magic or monstrous threats, he’s quick with a joke.
• Food Enthusiast: Still has his human counterpart’s big appetite—he’ll pack extra seaweed chips or dried sea fruit when traveling. He constantly tries to get El to eat more than just waffles.
• Curious Explorer: Fascinated by Equestrian lore, magical artifacts, and ancient ruins. His thirst for knowledge makes him both brave and reckless at times.
• Talkative Bond-Builder: Dustin bonds with others quickly, especially fellow “oddballs.” He talks nonstop when he meets another inventor, griffin, or sea creature.
• Clever & Resourceful: Dustin is the “engineer” of the party. He’s the one who rigs up magical contraptions, reverse-engineers enchanted items, and always has a backup plan when things go wrong.
• Cheerful Optimist: He’s upbeat and chatty, often lifting the group’s spirits during dark times. Even in dangerous situations with corrupted magic or monstrous threats, he’s quick with a joke.
• Food Enthusiast: Still has his human counterpart’s big appetite—he’ll pack extra seaweed chips or dried sea fruit when traveling. He constantly tries to get El to eat more than just waffles.
• Curious Explorer: Fascinated by Equestrian lore, magical artifacts, and ancient ruins. His thirst for knowledge makes him both brave and reckless at times.
• Talkative Bond-Builder: Dustin bonds with others quickly, especially fellow “oddballs.” He talks nonstop when he meets another inventor, griffin, or sea creature.
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Abilities & Skills
• Flight (Hippogriff form): Strong, steady flier. He’s not as fast as Steve the pegasus or Max the griffin, but he’s maneuverable and durable in the air.
• Aquatic Mastery (Sea Pony form): Swift swimmer with the ability to breathe underwater. He’s the group’s go-to for underwater exploration, treasure retrieval, or sneaking beneath enemy forces.
• Tinkering & Invention: Creates gadgets out of scrap metal, enchanted crystals, and natural materials. These include:
• A makeshift magical compass tuned to Will’s changeling energy.
• A net-launcher designed to trap Timberwolf pups (with mixed results).
• “Salt bombs” to disrupt corrupted magic.
• Magic Sensitivity: While not a spellcaster himself, Dustin has a knack for sensing magical frequencies, ley lines, or mechanical flaws in enchanted constructs.
• Diplomacy: Thanks to his hybrid nature, he can navigate both land and sea societies. He’s especially good at befriending unusual allies.
• Flight (Hippogriff form): Strong, steady flier. He’s not as fast as Steve the pegasus or Max the griffin, but he’s maneuverable and durable in the air.
• Aquatic Mastery (Sea Pony form): Swift swimmer with the ability to breathe underwater. He’s the group’s go-to for underwater exploration, treasure retrieval, or sneaking beneath enemy forces.
• Tinkering & Invention: Creates gadgets out of scrap metal, enchanted crystals, and natural materials. These include:
• A makeshift magical compass tuned to Will’s changeling energy.
• A net-launcher designed to trap Timberwolf pups (with mixed results).
• “Salt bombs” to disrupt corrupted magic.
• Magic Sensitivity: While not a spellcaster himself, Dustin has a knack for sensing magical frequencies, ley lines, or mechanical flaws in enchanted constructs.
• Diplomacy: Thanks to his hybrid nature, he can navigate both land and sea societies. He’s especially good at befriending unusual allies.
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Strengths
• Adaptability: Can thrive in multiple terrains (land, sea, sky).
• Team Player: Dustin values the group’s bond above everything and often acts as the glue keeping everyone united.
• Quick Thinker: Improvises under pressure. If a plan fails, he comes up with a new one almost instantly.
• Resilience: Keeps his humor even under trauma, which helps the others push through.
• Adaptability: Can thrive in multiple terrains (land, sea, sky).
• Team Player: Dustin values the group’s bond above everything and often acts as the glue keeping everyone united.
• Quick Thinker: Improvises under pressure. If a plan fails, he comes up with a new one almost instantly.
• Resilience: Keeps his humor even under trauma, which helps the others push through.
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Weaknesses
• Overconfidence: He sometimes believes his inventions or ideas are flawless, leading to spectacular mishaps.
• Talks Too Much: Dustin’s chatter can annoy allies (especially stoic ones like Hopper or Lucas).
• Physical Limitations: As a hybrid, he doesn’t have the raw magical power of a unicorn or the brute strength of a dragon. He relies on wit over force.
• FOMO (Fear of Missing Out): Dustin desperately wants to be included and can get jealous if he feels left behind.
• Overconfidence: He sometimes believes his inventions or ideas are flawless, leading to spectacular mishaps.
• Talks Too Much: Dustin’s chatter can annoy allies (especially stoic ones like Hopper or Lucas).
• Physical Limitations: As a hybrid, he doesn’t have the raw magical power of a unicorn or the brute strength of a dragon. He relies on wit over force.
• FOMO (Fear of Missing Out): Dustin desperately wants to be included and can get jealous if he feels left behind.
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Role in the Party
• The Inventor/Strategist of the main kids’ group.
• Provides solutions to magical obstacles, transportation challenges, or confusing mysteries.
• Acts as comic relief during tense missions, but also steps into leadership roles when Mike or El are unavailable.
• The Inventor/Strategist of the main kids’ group.
• Provides solutions to magical obstacles, transportation challenges, or confusing mysteries.
• Acts as comic relief during tense missions, but also steps into leadership roles when Mike or El are unavailable.
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Key Relationships
• Mike Wheeler (Unicorn): Dustin admires Mike’s determination but teases him for being dramatic. Their teamwork shines when Mike’s magical planning pairs with Dustin’s gadgetry.
• Will Byers (Changeling): Dustin is fiercely protective of Will and often uses inventions to help him control or resist corrupted magic. They share a deep emotional trust.
• Lucas Sinclair (Dragon): Dustin and Lucas bicker constantly but trust each other with their lives. Dustin often helps Lucas refine his flame-breath techniques with gadgets.
• Max Mayfield (Griffin): Dustin respects Max’s toughness and loves when she joins him on aerial scouting missions. He often tries to lighten her mood when she broods.
• Eleven (Yak with Telekinesis): Dustin is endlessly curious about El’s telekinetic powers, sometimes pestering her to test experiments. He’s one of the first to reassure her when she feels out of place.
• Steve Harrington (Pegasus): Their iconic “bro” bond carries over. Dustin looks up to Steve like an older brother and loves flying patrol missions with him.
• Silverstream (Young Six Hippogriff): If the Young Six ever cross into this AU, Dustin immediately bonds with Silverstream. They geek out over hippogriff/sea pony culture, food, and transformation tricks.
• Mike Wheeler (Unicorn): Dustin admires Mike’s determination but teases him for being dramatic. Their teamwork shines when Mike’s magical planning pairs with Dustin’s gadgetry.
• Will Byers (Changeling): Dustin is fiercely protective of Will and often uses inventions to help him control or resist corrupted magic. They share a deep emotional trust.
• Lucas Sinclair (Dragon): Dustin and Lucas bicker constantly but trust each other with their lives. Dustin often helps Lucas refine his flame-breath techniques with gadgets.
• Max Mayfield (Griffin): Dustin respects Max’s toughness and loves when she joins him on aerial scouting missions. He often tries to lighten her mood when she broods.
• Eleven (Yak with Telekinesis): Dustin is endlessly curious about El’s telekinetic powers, sometimes pestering her to test experiments. He’s one of the first to reassure her when she feels out of place.
• Steve Harrington (Pegasus): Their iconic “bro” bond carries over. Dustin looks up to Steve like an older brother and loves flying patrol missions with him.
• Silverstream (Young Six Hippogriff): If the Young Six ever cross into this AU, Dustin immediately bonds with Silverstream. They geek out over hippogriff/sea pony culture, food, and transformation tricks.
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Storyline Potential
• Season 1 AU Arc: Dustin helps invent magical detectors to locate Upside Down portals, leading to the group’s first confrontation with a corrupted Timberwolf pup.
• Season 2 AU Arc: His inventions become more advanced, but he struggles with the consequences when one backfires during a battle against the Shadow Dragon’s corruption.
• Season 3 AU Arc: Dustin leads an underwater mission in his sea pony form to uncover a drowned ruin connected to the Mind Flayer’s spread.
• Season 4 AU Arc: He plays a major role in creating protective wards and gadgets to counteract Vecna’s lich magic, showing how far his ingenuity has grown.
• Season 1 AU Arc: Dustin helps invent magical detectors to locate Upside Down portals, leading to the group’s first confrontation with a corrupted Timberwolf pup.
• Season 2 AU Arc: His inventions become more advanced, but he struggles with the consequences when one backfires during a battle against the Shadow Dragon’s corruption.
• Season 3 AU Arc: Dustin leads an underwater mission in his sea pony form to uncover a drowned ruin connected to the Mind Flayer’s spread.
• Season 4 AU Arc: He plays a major role in creating protective wards and gadgets to counteract Vecna’s lich magic, showing how far his ingenuity has grown.
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Signature Quote in this AU
“Okay, hear me out—if we duct-tape the enchanted crystal to the water talisman and then add a splash of seaweed glue… boom, portable portal detector. Trust me, I’m basically a genius.”
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