Pirates of Equestria

3: Flight

Having flown all night and not eaten anything for two days, Sky Runner is tired and famished. The port town below is unsightly but there is little choice. The benefit of such a town, despite it being a haven for low-life scoundrels, is the access to information. An event such as the attempt on Princess Celestia’s life would likely cause a great stir meaning possible information on who was responsible. Sky lands and makes his way to a nearby tavern, a place to restore his strength and filled with information galore.

The pegasus sits down at corner table which provides him with the best view and greatest spot to eavesdrop on nearby conversations. A maid brings him his food and he finds himself now significantly lacking in finances. But such a thing can wait till later. Sky keeps focused and his body in control as he eats slowly, savoring the food and drink to give himself time to hear as much as possible. But the conversations are meaningless. Little is discussed that is about royalty save for the locals’ distain. This meant that the Royal Guard must be keeping the matter under tight wraps. This would make finding the culprit difficult, though Sky does not expect the would-be assassin to announce a failed attempt even when drunk.

After a few minutes, one of the pony patrons, a dull yellow Earth Pony with green hair, stumbles his way next to Sky’s table. He swings his tankard as he sings, rather off-key, a drinking song as he attempts to pass by. His efforts fail as he nearly falls into Sky’s table, but Sky aids him by putting up a wing and righting him. However, the drunk simply falls the other direction into another table, knocking it over and spilling its contents everywhere.

“H-hey you!” the drunk stammers as he attempts to stand up. “You pushed me!” He swaggers as he vainly tries to maintain his balance.

“I tried to keep you from falling into my table. Sadly, you fell over into the other one.” Sky maintains his calm, continuing to eat.

“Well…now you’re gonna get it.”

The drunk swings his tankard wildly which Sky easily catches. Sky takes it from the pony’s grip and tosses it aside. The drunk attempts a blow to Sky’s face but the pegasus easily catches the hoof. With a swift twist followed by a sweep from the other wing, the drunk is thrown to the ground. He struggles to get up but the drunken stupor overtakes him and he passes out.

Seeing the pony go down, four other patrons rise from their seats to join in the brawl. Not wanting to fight Sky attempts to get them to back down, standing to face them.

“If you do this I cannot guarantee your health.”

The ponies laugh and lunge at him. Sky sidesteps and uses his wings to push one into the others. They tumble into a table spilling food and drink across the floor. They stand to face Sky again and try a new strategy. Two lunge first to distract him while the other two move in after to finish him. But Sky skillfully pushes the first two aside with his wings and kicks the others in the face knocking them to the ground.

The first two return, attacking from both sides, but again Sky is prepared. He grabs each with a wing and slams their heads into one another knocking them out. The second two stand, mouths bleeding and teeth missing, and attack again. Sky grabs them by their throats with his wings and hurl them aside into the wall.

With the four out of commission, several others try their luck only to be tossed aside or into one another. As the fight continues, Sky begins using tankards and chairs to fight off the increasing numbers. Eventually the entire tavern in caught up in a huge drunken brawl with little focus on any pony in particular. The only goal is to fight.

Sky fends off any that come near him, tossing ponies and beating lone fighters to a pulp. Though he takes several blows of his own, he falls back on his training to keep from becoming like the losers that are scattered across the floor. Bones break and blood is spattered across the floor and tables as the brawl continues. The sight of the violence and smell of the blood mixing with the spilled drinks excite Sky. His adrenaline rushes as he is drawn into the fighting. He thrills in it.

In the heat of the brawl, Sky is grabbed from behind. He struggles to free himself but his attacker is cunning enough to secure his wings. Sky twists and squirms, anxious to free himself and return to the fight. His attacker drags him out the door despite his struggle then finally releases him once outside. Sky spins to strike with a wing but the other ducks and slips behind him. Blinded by rage and fueled by adrenaline, Sky strikes again but again the other evades.

Sky turns again but the other shouts. “Stop!”

It was not so much the command but who was giving it. Sky stares in disbelief as he looks upon himself. His mind is flooded with confusion, mixing with his adrenaline rush giving him a pounding headache.

“Who are you?” he asks, struggling to comprehend what was happening.

“Follow me if you want to know,” the other says.

“And why should I go with you?” Sky demands.

“Because I am can help you achieve what you want.”

The other begins walking away leaving Sky to ponder his next step. He gives in to curiosity and follows, trying to calm himself in order to think clearly and focus in case of a trap.

The imposter Sky leads the real one to an alleyway. Sky readies himself for whatever may happen next. Instead of springing a trap, light flashes around the other revealing a changeling. Sky readies to strike, knowing full well the enmity between the ponies and the changelings but the changeling puts up a hoof to stop him.

“I’m not here to fight but to help,” he says with a slight hiss to his voice.

“Why should I believe you?”

“Because, like you, I am an outcast. I know of what happened in Canterlot and how you are being hunted.”

“How would you know about that and why would you want to help me?” Sky asks, still apprehensive.

"My sources are my business. As for why I would help you, revenge and redemption. It’s possible that whoever attempted the assassination on Celestia and framed you and who I am after are one and the same.”

Sky thinks for a moment, still unsure if he can trust the shape shifter. “Besides,” the changeling continues, “I can help you learn how to survive out here and together we can uncover the plot that has caused us to be cast out.”

“How can I trust you?” Sky was sure that the changeling was working an angle but wasn’t sure what that angle was.

“You can trust that I am after my own goals which does involve you and me working together.”

“Who are you?”

The changeling offers a hoof as he answers. “You may call me Jack.”

Sky responds to the offered hoof in kind, smiling. He remains apprehensive but somehow excited about the newfound alliance. Things are becoming very interesting very quickly.