Legend of the Sea (to be edited)
In a small hidden port, an older mare is surrounded by dragon-like guards. Her body, once strong, is now much weaker and battle-scarred. Her fur is dark gray, mane and tail white.
“All right, Sea Storm, you are trapped. Lord Discord has quite the price on your head.”
“Why?”
“You defied him, you fled Equus, and you saved those he wanted to destroy. But we knew you would return. And he’ll surely have you killed. And as for your treasure-”
“Hey! Back off, beasties!” comes a voice from behind.
“Eh?”
“KYAI!” One of the offending guards finds himself rammed by a young caribou. Though her antlers are short, they are very sharp.
“What’s a little viking filly doing in this port?” asks another guard. “Don’t you know your kind aren’t welcome here?”
“Nor are your kind. Name’s Nisse, by the way.”
“Your kind is still unwelcome here.”
“What about my kind?” says another hidden speaker. The guard doesn’t have time to respond before hard hooves slam into his back.
He tries to scramble to his feet, but finds a sharp blade at his neck.
“N-not you! Not the bounty hunter!”
“Not her, beastie- she’s ‘Below’. But I’m of her kinfolk. And I don’t like you very much.”
The moonlight washes over the situation, coming out from behind a cloud, revealing a small but tough palomino pinto unicorn.
“You are just a foal.”
“Maybe. Name’s Goldmoon. By the bye, my age doesn’t mean I can’t clobber you.”
“Really? A little beast like you against my scales and armor?”
“Not just her,” comes another voice. The guard doesn’t have time to react before a pair of dark hooves slam into his face and knock him out.
A silver dapple smoky black horse comes out of the shadows.
“Nice move, Night Wind,” says the unicorn.
At this point, the guards realize they are under attack and go on the defensive.
“Run, miss!” says a pale young hippogriff to Sea Storm.
“Who are you?”
“Anaba- but no time for proper introductions! You’ll find another ally soon. You will know her, trust me!”
The pony finds herself very confused, but runs off. She’s soon greeted by a young bat pony.
“Come with me, miss. I’m Noctis.I’ll take you to a safe place. You can trust me!”
“But aren’t you bat ponies vampires?”
“No. Discord spread that rumor to eliminate us- our sonic cries can disrupt his magic, so he wanted us gone!”
“I’m still not sure, but judging by those guards-”
The bat pony shoves Sea Storm through a trapdoor.
“There is a protector waiting for you below.”
“Ok.” She runs away as Noctis takes to the air.
“Evening, miss,” says someone in the shadows.
“Not a guard!”
“No, I’m no guard.”
A silver tabby griffin steps into a pool of moonlight. “I’m a friend. My name is Awinita.”
“I thought your kind ate ponies…”
“The wilder ones do, but most of us prefer fish.”
“Why are you helping me?”
“Why not? Not your fault that devil-dragon Discord took over the realm.”
“How do you know he won’t catch you for helping me?”
“Griffins are of the Free Kingdoms. He can’t break us, or the other Free Kingdoms, no matter how he tries.”
“Amazing…”
Up above, a call rings out.
“The prisoner’s escaped! Halt those malefactors! Kill them! Make them pay!”
“You will find safe ground here,” says the griffin.“Tell the others of the Free Kingdoms that Awinita sent you. You will know them when you see them.”
“Thank you-” begins Sea Storm. But the griffin is already halfway up the passage.
“Come with me,” says another voice- an armored blue dragon.
“No! You’re a guard!”
“Shh, miss, it’s all right. My name is Azurel, of the Free Kingdoms.”
“How do I know you can be trusted?”
“I swear by dragon code I am on your side.”
“I don’t kno-”
Azurel puts her forepaw around Sea Storm’s muzzle.
“I smell guards coming close. Shh…”
There’s indistinct yelling and swearing above, then the sound of retreating footsteps.
The trapdoor opens again, and the creatures helping Sea Storm come below.
“They’re gone,” says Nisse, apparently the leader.
“Why did you save me?”
“We are of the Free Kingdoms. It is our duty to help others escape the Unholy Triad’s dark reign.”
“You creatures stand against the combined might of the Changeling Empire, the Chaos Demon and his pawns, and the Dark King and his army?”
“Indeed we do.”
“You are either incredibly brave, or incredibly foolish. What if those from the Triad catch you?”
Nisse smirks. “They’ve tried. They can’t.”
“I don’t understand.”
“We have our secrets, you have yours.”
“Indeed.” Sea Storm reaches into her saddlebag, taking out a strange map and handing it to the caribou. “But I’m keeping this secret no longer.”
“It’s a map,” says Nisse, perplexed.
“Yes, but not just any map. It leads to the legendary Treasure of the Eighth Sea, at the Heart of the World.”
“There’s only seven seas here though.”
“Or are there?”
“Why would we go on a treasure hunt when we are needed here?”
“Because the Elements of Harmony and the Crystal Heart have been corrupted by the dark power of the Triad.”
“The what now?”
“Magical elements that can counter the Triad’s spells.”
“And we can’t just kill off the enemy why?”
“Far too powerful.”
“Better not tell our allies that. One of them has a grudge against the Dark King and plans to destroy him, one has a grudge against the Chaos Demon.”
“They might destroy their foes temporarily, but the dark power the Triads’ members possess is so strong they can come back from the dead as if they were never harmed at all.”
“So necromancy?”
“Basically. The only thing that can truly destroy them is the magic treasure of the eighth sea.”
“I think you might have been at sea too long, miss.”
“I haven’t. I’ve seen the Eighth Sea and glimpsed the treasure. But then it got me…”
“Huh?”
“The way to the treasure is guarded by poison mists, living rocks, eternal storms, sirens, mermares, krakens, wild seas, sea monsters, demonic spectres, and worst of all the Witch of the Sea! It’s enough to drive any sane pony mad! Mad, I say!!”
“That explains a lot,” mutters Nisse. “And how are we supposed to get past all this?”
“I know you can find a way.”
“Uh, thank you?” She’s nuts!
“You will need a ship. I can recommend some places. I’d give you my ship if it was still intact.”
“Recommend places, huh? How much though? We aren’t exactly rich. And also, we’re wanted dead or alive, preferably the former, by that dragon-beast.”
“There’s a secret shop for travelers. It’s near Honest Goldbrick’s Used Ships- don’t let that weasel of a unicorn Goldbrick con you into buying a bad ship, or you will not survive.”
“Uhh, thanks..? Listen, miss Sea Storm, you better follow the tunnels. Our allies in the Underground will give you shelter and food until they find a safe place for you to go.”
“Thank you, and blessings of the Four Winds go with you all!”
Sea Storm leaves.
“Should we trust her?” asks Noctis.
“Looks like we don’t have much choice. Come on.”
A cloaked figure heads to the center of a complex of tunnels, stopping in a large room, and waiting.
Another figure comes in a few minutes later, taking off her hood.
“You called, Nisse?”
“Yes, Awinita. But we must wait for the others.”
“Indeed.”
There’s the sound of claws on stone, and a third cloaked figure enters.
“I am here.”
“Very good, Azurel.”
“We are here as well,” says another as she comes in, flanked by a second cloaked figure.
“Anaba, Noctis, good to see you.”
“We’ve come as well,” adds another voice.
“Goldmoon, Nightwind, good.”
“Why have you called us in, Nisse?” asks Goldmoon.
“The Triad is still gaining power. The Free Kingdoms are still strong, yes, but the Triad have taken all the mainland except those few, and now they are focusing on other continents. They must be stopped, and the map we were given has the key.”
“You mean that mad sailor was right?” asks Noctis.
“I’m afraid so. We need a ship. The journey will be long and hard, but if all goes well, we can get the treasure and destroy the Triad for good.”
“But what of those here, who need safe ground?”
“Our allies from before will take our duties. We must find the crystals at the Heart of the World, which is in the Eighth Sea. If we don’t, the Triad will win.”
“We have no choice then. Shall we get a ship?”
“Yes. Sea Storm said that there is a secret ship port. We need to go there.”
“What about the guards?” asks Awinita.
“That is why we must be cloaked, and keep to shadows. We can’t let them see us.”
“Now I understand. But how do you know where to go?”
“I’m a viking. The sea is in my blood, and I know the ports.”
“Shall we go?”
“We’d best wait til evening- less dangerous.”
“Ah yes, you’re right.”
"But ere we leave, there is one thing I must do," says Nisse. "Wait for me in the meeting room- I will be back as soon as I can."
She goes back into the tunnels, heading to a certain kingdom, and more specifically, a certain horse-hawk.
The viking leaves the tunnels when she gets to Avia.
"Evening, Nisse," says Ironhoof, who happened to be out for a walk. "May I ask why you are here?"
"Yes. Is Skaydi around?"
"Indeed she is. She's probably in her room right now."
"Ok. I need to speak with her."
"I see."
Nisse hurries to Skaydi's room. She's been here many times, of course, but this time she feels a sense of urgency.
The caribou knocks on the horse-hawk's door.
"Skaydi?"
"Yes?"
"It's Nisse. I need to talk to you."
"I knew it was you. I recognized your scent."
Skaydi opens the door, allowing Nisse inside.
"So what brings you here?"
"I'm going on a long journey. I'd take you with me, but with the demons, the Dark King, and the vampires loose, your skill is most needed here in Avia. But I had to get you something to remember me by..."
She takes out a small figurine of a viking caribou that has full armor and weapons. The statue is carved lovingly and with full detail out of bone.
"Long journey?" asks Skaydi as she takes the statue. "Is the sea calling you away, or something else?"
"Both. But I'm not sure if I'll come back this time..."
"What... what do you mean..?"
"The route I'm taking is treacherous and deadly. I may not live to return home."
"Where are you going?"
"The legendary Eighth Sea..."
"No! I've heard the stories- you'll never survive!"
"I have no choice. If I make it there, I'll have the weapons to destroy the Triad for good."
"If you make it..."
"I'm sorry, Skaydi, but I don't have a choice..."
"I know... But before you leave..." She signals Nisse to sit next to her.
"Yes?"
Skaydi plucks out a feather from her chest and gives it to Nisse.
"Horse-hawk, is this a marriage proposal?!" asks Nisse as she takes the feather and puts it in the front pocket of her saddlebag.
"Uh huh..."
"Then I'll need to be sure to come back! I can't let you down, my little white raven!"
Skaydi wraps her wing around Nisse and pulls her closer.
"If you want to thank me proper, little hawk..."
"Hmm, very well..."
Nisse presses her muzzle against Skaydi's neck and starts grooming the horse-hawk's feathers.
Skaydi stays very still, letting her lover groom her, then when Nisse's done, Skaydi does the same to the caribou.
When it's over, Nisse gets up to leave.
"Love you, my little hawk," says Skaydi. "Try to come back alive if you can."
"Of course, my little raven. Love you too."
Nisse leaves when she's done talking and goes back into the tunnels, halting when she gets back to her allies.
"So what was that about, eh?" asks Goldmoon.
"Just saying goodbye to a friend..."
"You mean girlfriend, don't you? I've seen how you and Skaydi look at each other!"
"Oh hush! Unless you want me to start talking about you and Night-"
"Don't start! It's evening and we have a ship to buy."
The warriors leave their hidden place in the tunnels, heading toward a port across town. There’s a large sign above the port, saying “Honest Goldbrick’s Used Ships”.
“This was the one Sea Storm warned us to avoid,” whispers Nisse.
Unfortunately, someone overhears.
“Welcome, welcome!” says a male voice.
Nisse instinctively rears up, startled, and the unicorn stallion talking backs off very quickly.
“Who are you?” asks Nisse.
“I’m Goldbrick, used ship salespony extraordinaire.”
“Not interested.”
“Nonsense! Why else would you be at port?”
“Why not?”
“Come on, let me show you my wares.”
“I said no.”
“Not even a little peek?”
“And why should we do this?”
“Because I have the best ships in the area.”
“Hmph. If I let you, will you go away?”
“Of course. Now let me show you around.”
“Hmph.”
“I don’t like this, Nisse,” says Awinita.
“Trust me, if he tries anything...” Nisse touches a hoof to the sword under her cloak.
“Good,” whispers the griffin.
Nisse turns back to the pale yellow unicorn.
“Well, show us your wares.”
“Come with me.”
“Not without the others.”
“Well, all right.”
Nisse nods at her friends, who follow her.
“Now this ship is a gently used merchant ship, the Silver Seamare-”
Nisse hops onto the ship before Goldbrick has a chance to stop her.
“Gently used, my tail! This ship has more holes than a sieve!”
“Welll, the merchants did have a tiny bit of pirate trouble- but I can give you a good price-”
“Forget it. We’re planning a long journey. Do you have any seaworthy tubs?”
“A… long journey, miss? How long?”
“Long enough. I need a good seaworthy tub, one that is hard to sink. Got it?”
“Come with me.”
The stallion sounds much more earnest this time, and his demeanor becomes much more serious.
“What’s with the change in tone?”
“I think I know who you are, and I can help.”
“Oh?”
“Come on, but quickly, before the guards arrive!”
Nisse looks a little confused, but follows, along with her allies.
The stallion leads them into a hidden port underneath the real one.
“This ship should work for you. It’s the Wind Rider.”
Nisse hops into the ship and studies it.
“Yes, this is a very fine ship. How much?”
“Normally it would be several hundred bits, but if you are who I think you are, it’s free.”
“Ok, who do you think we are?”
The stallion lowers his voice.
“You are from Below, of the Other, yes?”
“Why should we tell you?”
“I know you don’t trust me, but I’m on your side. Many of my kin have been killed or imprisoned by the Triad, and I will help anyone who will remove them from power.”
“Hmph.”
“You need to leave. Here is your ship. The guards will be coming soon- hurry!”
The travelers look at each other a moment, then get in the ship.
Nisse starts the wheel, and the sailors leave port.
Once they are out of view, several guards knock on the door of the used ship port.
“Goldbrick. We need to speak to you.”
“Y-yes..?”
“How many ships have you sold?”
“None, none today.”
“You seem nervous…”
“I-I’m afraid I w-won’t stay in business… haven’t sold enough ships…”
“Hmm.”
The guard circles Goldbrick.
“If you are telling the truth, you will be left in peace. But if you are lying, Lord Discord will devour your heart.”
“Y-yessir…”
The guards leave a very nervous Goldbrick in his office.
Celestia protect the travelers, let them go safely. Please let them stay safe, let them get what they must to save the realm. If I die, please allow them to live...Celestia and Luna, please, please keep them safe....
