A Moment Of Respite

“Griffin the Griffin,” Ace began as we spotted a tree to sit under, “No one knows where he came from. Rumors say that he’s not of this world, but he knew about key events in Equestria before they happened. Some type of...what’s the word...”

“Clairvoyance?” I asked with a raised eyebrow, leaning back against the tree’s bark.

“Yeah, that. Some type of clairvoyance. Anyways, he’s the one who founded the Griffin Pirates; a band of roughnecks who don’t take shit from anyone and stops slavery. Before I got shackled up, they were all the rage and I heard stories that many griffins wanted to join in their fight for freedom.” Ace laid his dirty body on the ground, fluffing his wings a little before laying his head on his eagle claws in an angle so that he faced me.

“With how fast they were shutting down slave warrens, they needed someplace to dump the ex-slaves. They take the ponies to Canterlot and the griffins to Signal while the diamond dogs are carted to the Marble Pillars.”

“I heard about that place from Wergal. He said it’s a constantly expanding clan that was becoming a pain in Dreggen’s side.” I interrupted, making Ace nod.

“Expanding doesn't even cover it, really. Marble Pillars, now that Granite Podium got blown up the ass by an alien who can’t fly, is essentially the head honcho when it comes to diamond dog clans. But that’s irrelevant and not really what we’re supposed to be talking about.” Ace gave a hard yawn, stretching his beak open to near comical heights.

I chanced a look back to the mountain we had come up from. Wergal and Diamond were instructing the ex-slaves on where to dig in order to find the vault. I smiled when I noticed a group of minotaurs hauling huge pieces of rubble out of a hole in the ground. I had convinced them to stay of their own accord and to help out with finding the rumored cavern where the Alpha Brothers kept their assets.

Sunset Shimmer was busy doing something amidst all that commotion, I’m sure of it. She’ll make herself known when she wants to. Which reminds me that I have to have a heart to heart with her about what went on in The Rough. That’s a conversation I’m not looking forward to, but it must be done to protect her mind from collapse. I also just want to know how she’s taking the whole thing. Based on how she tried to hide it after Dreggen’s defeat, I can tell that it’s slowly eating her away inside.

“Yo, Silas.” Ace’s smooth voice snapped me from my thought process. “I wasn’t finished. Now where was I....Aha! It’s said that Griffin, the leader of the Griffin Pirates, can use magic. Now I know you’re probably thinking, ‘Ace, how can Griffin use magic?’; the thing is, I don’t know that part myself. He’s taken down a Black Dragon by jumping down its throat with its own scale and about six or seven more after that one. He’s not exactly a hero, but if he were to change one or two things about himself, he would be prime hero material.” Ace explained with a faraway look in his eyes. It was almost...dreamy.

Don’t tell me...

“Ace, are you gay?” I asked with a completely serious tone in my voice.

“WHAT!!??” Some ex-slaves that were in earshot of his voice turned towards us when he shouted. My eyes widened when he dove at me, effectively pinning my body to the ground with his body. He then held up a talon against my throat with an angry glare in his eye. “Ace doesn’t roll that way.” He practically hissed, making me roll my eyes.

“Fine, fine, I’m sorry. Now get your fat ass off of me.” Ace narrowed his eyes at me but he complied nonetheless. After he took up a seated position next to me again, I sent a dismissive wave towards the ex-slaves that were watching the scene unfold with angered expressions. Their gazes softened and they went back to whatever it was that they were doing.

“That’s one hell of a temper you got there, pardner.” I mocked in my best southern accent. It’s really bad but it gets the point across that the statement wasn’t condescending.

“I know. It used to get in the way when my promoter tried to find me gigs in different cities. I’d normally start some sort of huge scrap with some asshat in a bar, get kicked out of the town by dawn, then have to look for another town that hasn’t heard about the incident. It’s way too much hassle for a guy who’ll only be, and I quote what my promoter said, ‘The Non-Pony Wonderbolt.’” Ace sighed deeply as those memories squashed his self-confidence to nothingness.

I winced as I watched his esteem deflate.

“So why do you want to go to Signal and why is it imperative that I take you with the ill? Why can’t you just fly there?” I crossed my arms behind my head and leaned up against the tree again.

“Signal’s on the other side of the Main Continent, so I don’t think flying is gonna be much use. If I did attempt it, then I’d probably reach the damn island after a year and a half! I need to know if my family made it there when the diamond dogs raided my campsite! I’ve been in those mines for nine years, thoughts of my fucking family tearing me away from the inside out! I need this! I can’t just sit by for another year and pray that they’re all right! I need to hold them, to embrace them in my arms and tell them that....that...everything’s fine and daddy’s home...” He broke down and began crying into his talons.

I moved over to him and draped a wing across his back awkwardly, since I didn’t want to hug him because he’s dirty and whatnot. He continued to sob on the ground while I rubbed the tears out of him, soothing the griffin with slow wing rubs up and down his back.

“Hey Silas, I’m gonna need a couple moments of your-” Sunset stopped at the scene before her, the sentence dying in her throat as she stopped mid-step. I put my index finger to my mouth, indicating for her to stay quiet. She nodded and came around the side of me, deciding to lay down quietly and wait.

“It’s okay Ace, everything’s going to be just fine. Was Signal your backup plan should you or one of your family members become abducted?” I cooed softly, watching as this broken man weeped. He nodded softly, still sobbing uncontrollably. An idea sprung into my head the moment he did and I knew this would either make things better or make things worse than they already are.

I cleared my throat and began to sing this song slowly. If only I had an acoustic guitar!

Search for the answers I knew all along.

I lost myself...we all fall down...

Never the wiser of what I’ve become.

Alone I stand...a broken man...

All I have, is one last chance!

I won't turn my back on you.

Take my hand, drag me down!

If you fall then I will too.

And I can’t save what’s left of you.

Say something new!

I have nothing left!

I can’t face the dark without you!

There’s nothing left to lose!

The fighting never ends!

I can’t face the dark without you!

I started gaining some attention with my singing by the end of the chorus. Sunset Shimmer was swaying her head with her eyes closed to the rhythm of the song. My grandma always said I had a nice voice and that I should pursue a career in music, but I told her that what I like to sing about isn’t very popular anymore. You know, songs with meaning in the lyrics?

Ace’s sobs began to shorten up as the next verse came.

Swallow me under and pull me apart.

I understand...there’s nothing left...

Pain so familiar and close to the heart.

No more no less...I won’t forget...

Come back down! Save yourself!

I can’t find my way to you!

And I can’t bear to face the truth!

I entered the chorus again, this time noticing some ponies, griffins and minotaurs stop working and come closer. Some even joined in, making it a true chorus. Ace had stopped sobbing and I could've sworn I heard some snoring. Seeing as how my target audience had fell asleep under my wing, I stopped the song on ‘lose!’ 

Many looked put-off by the sudden stop, but I simply waved them off with a hand. Most sighed angrily, but they complied regardless. Now that Ace was asleep, I could deal with Sunset Shimmer and-

I looked at her only to notice that she had fallen asleep on my leg. Girl’s had a rough day, so I guess I couldn’t blame her. It’s strange, but I suddenly feel sleepy as well. So, without further motivation to stay awake, I quickly found myself in the throes of unconsciousness.

“Silas! Silas, wake up! It’s urgent! SILAS!”

I felt a hoof slap me in the face, sending my brain into overdrive as I jumped up onto my feet and drew Hope from its sheath. I looked around quickly, noticing the noonday sun in the sky and the ex-slaves and Ace missing in action.

A poke from my side made me look down and notice Sunset Shimmer with a worried expression on her face.

“What is it, Sunset!? What’s happened!?” I asked with concern stretched out on my face. I took another chance to survey the excavation site and was surprised to see Diamond running over the hill that led up to this tree.

“SILAS,” Diamond called as she neared us, “It’s Ace and Wergal! Ace and Wergal are in trouble!!!”

That’s all I needed to hear.

I sheathed Hope and sprinted past Diamond right as she crested the hill, hearing her turn around and join me.

Trouble seems to like ruining my fun-times it seems.