I awoke in a cold sweat, a quick glance out of the window told me it was probably around midnight. I wiped my forehead, and thought about what had put me in this dastardly damp state. I’d had a nightmare, it started with me sitting on a throne, a crown atop my head, and a silver spoon in my mouth. Underneath me were the bodies of Milo, Rex, and Spot; I saw myself laughing maniacally, though I couldn’t see my face I knew in my heart it was me. I don’t know what it means, but I damn well don’t like what I saw. I don’t know what, but I feel like this has some meaning deeper than I know. Oh well, I’ll try to get some sleep.

I awake again to joyous sunlight in my eyes. I’d been having trouble sleeping as of late, so waking up to sun was like music to my ears. Props to whoever rose the sun today, kidding, like anyone could really do that. I get on my feet and walk over to the wooden desk and sit, I don’t think I’ll be going anywhere today. I’d been in a darker mood lately, I couldn’t get the dog-, my comrades out of my mind. I couldn’t stop blaming myself for their deaths, I couldn’t stop blaming myself for everything. I’d been thinking of home. My home… This is the first time I’ve thought about home since being on the ship. I’d thought about her the whole time, she was my responsibility, and my comrade. We’d fought the world together, and now she’s alone. It seems like every time I get close to someone, they end up disappearing one way or the other.
“Dammit!” Jem balls up his fists and slams them on the table. “Why the hell do they all leave?!”
I get up, trembling, on the verge of crying, pathetic. My stomach rumbles, and I become aware of exactly how hungry I am. I make my way to the door, exerted from carrying the cart the previous day, I have a hard time taking the stairs down to the lobby.
“Good morning!” I look up, surprised to see the owner not drunk and asleep.
“Uh, morning.” I really don’t feel like making small talk today pal.
“You’re uh, a tall feller huh?”
“Yes, and you’re annoy-“
Dammit Jem, remember what she said, be nice.
“Ahem, would you happen to know where I could get some breakfast from around here?”
“Yes siree! I just whipped a batch of haycakes. My son will be here soon, so please make yourself at home.”
Oh goodie, company.
“Thanks for the hospitality. I’ll go ahead and take a seat here.”
I sit down at the bar and he puts a plate of pan- haycakes in front of me, my stomach rumbles again and I greedily inhale everything on my plate.
“You must be mighty hungry! I’ll have another batch ready in say ten or fifteen minutes.”
It’d been fifteen minutes already, didn’t he say his son would be here soon? Not that I mind.
“Okay, thank you. Say, where’s your son? You said he’d be here around this time.”
“Yes, he should’ve been here already. Oh, I’m startin’ to get nervous.”
“Well I hope he’s okay.” Not really.
“That’s alright, he’ll get here eventually.” He chuckled, I almost joined in, until I noticed what was behind the old man.
It was a picture of him and his son, underneath it next to a lit candle was a mini tombstone that said R.I.P Room Sweep, loved son and co-owner of the Noble’s Last Stop inn and bar. I stood silent for a while and he seemed to notice my gaze.
“Oh son, there you are!” He… He’s talking to me.
“Wha- What?”
“I’m glad you could make it! I have haycakes on the way, so sit down and wait. Now tell me, have you dropped the wanderlust and decided to start working with ol’ pop here at the inn?”
“Uh.”
“Don’t be shy now boy, I’ll be right back with those haycakes, you stay still and don’t run off again, you know your mother wouldn’t want you running off again.”
He left and I instantly wanted to leave, but decided against it. Is he serious? Or is he actually bat shit crazy? I doubt I look even close to his son, seeing as I’m not a pony. I wanted to leave so bad, but I felt like I had to stay by some means of obligation, I have been staying at his inn, and he even made me haycakes. Maybe I’ll play along for a bit.
“So son, you enjoying being back home? Have ye’ gone to see Buck yet? He said he wanted to see you when you came back, said he has something to show you.”
“Uh, no, I haven’t talked to Buck yet… Pops.”
“Well you should give him a visit later, but for now, how was your visit to Canterlot? Meet any mares to bring home for a visit with pops?”
Shit. I have no clue where this Canterlot place is.
“Uh, no, sir. I was uh… Busy the whole time… With work.”
“Oh, I understand, you always were a busybody just like me! Why, I remember when your mother caught you up all night working on your school project. Boy, was I proud, I thought my son will grow up to be a respectable stallion, and I can’t say I was wrong.”
I was a bit shocked. I’d never been talked to like this before, a heart to heart talk between father and son.
“I- I just want to make you proud pops.”
“I know son, well the haycakes are done, I’ll be right back.”
He came back shortly with another pile of haycakes. He watched me eat silently, it would’ve creeped me out under normal circumstances, but I’d noticed something, a hint of pride in his eyes.
“It’s almost noon son! How time passes when you’re talking, you should go talk to Buck, I’m sure whatever he has for you is sure to be good.”
“Thanks old man, I’ll uh- I’ll be seeing you later.”
“Goodbye now, and son.”
I looked back from the open door, staring right into his emerald eyes.
“Remember to be who you want to be in life, no matter what happens, don’t forget, it’s your life, and no matter what obstacle stands in your way, keep fighting to be that man you want to be.”
“R-Right, thanks.” I responded shakily.

I left the inn.

“What a good boy, I’m sure you’ll be going places, Jem.” The old man said to himself.

Heh, what a sucker, free haycakes just for acting like his son. So, now where to? I think I’ll get a map, and decide where I want to go from here.
I headed to town square and saw a big building with steps leading to double doors, I assume this is town hall. I enter the building and instantly see what I need, a local map of Neighsburg, and a map of… Equestria? I open the Equestria map and point out my location, and then locate this Canterlot place, as it has peaked my interest. According to the map Canterlot is… Across the ocean. Then I’ll need to pass through three towns on the way. Though there seems to be train stations along the way. So, my first priority here is getting across the Behooved Sea. Time to visit the Port.

So, apparently Neighsburg is a huge trading town. Ships from all over Equestria come here with supplies. I decide to speak with some sailors about making my way to Canterlot.
“Hello, sir!”
The pony turns to me and almost screams.
“Hey, calm down! I just need to know if anyone will take me across the sea.”
“Our ships are used for official Equestrian trading, not precious little cargo like you. Get lost, maybe you’ll have better luck over there.”
Admiral Asswipe points to a rusty little sailboat, with a young stallion standing in front.
“Okay, maybe I will fuckface.”
I turn around and head straight over to the stallion. I notice he has a pearly white coat, a golden brown mane, and icy blue eyes. He doesn’t look much like a sailor to me.
“Hello, would you happen to be heading to Canterlot?”
“Huh, oh, yes I was just about to set sail, though I hadn’t planned on taking any commoners with me.”
“Commoners? And exactly who the fuck are you?”
“Uhh, I’m… Just a sailor, the name’s Blue Sails, what can I do for you?”
“I was wondering if you could take me with you.”
“Uhh, no- no, no, wait. Perhaps I could use you, come along then I’ll let you come with me, but, you’ll have to return the favor.”
“And how do you suggest I do that?”
“Not yet, just wait, I’ll tell you when your help is needed.”
“Okay then, let’s go.”

We set sail for Equestria’s mainland. Something smelled fishy, and it wasn’t the ocean, it was Blue Sails. He’s up to something I know it.

After we’d set sail, me and Blue sails sat down in the cabin. It was pretty awkward, as neither of us were talking, so I decided to break the ice.
“So, exactly why are you headed to Canterlot?”
He was startled by my speaking so suddenly, and got nervous, most likely by my question.
“Uhh, just have some business to take care of.”
Way to say nothing, somehow I don’t see this ending well for me.
“Don’t we all? Now, where will I be sleeping?”
“Below decks, I’ll be in the cabin if you need me.”
Nice, this sounds just great. I head down and grab my blanket and pillow, laying down on the cold wooden deck.
What the hell am I doing? I’ve got no idea where the hell I am, I’m just wandering aimlessly, I’m a man without goals, without a reason. A man without a reason is a dangerous one, I can’t become that.

I need to find my reason.

I woke up to sunlight. No nightmare, no waking up throughout the night, just a good night’s sleep. I headed upstairs to see Blue Sails at the wheel.
“Good morning!”
“Morning. Breakfast is inside.”
Breakfast, sounds good. Blue Waffle is being awful short with me this morning, what’s his problem?
I sit down at the table and eat the cold cornbread left for me on a dirty plate, how nice.
I gobble it down anyways, and think once again about home, about her. She always told me to be nice to everyone. Though I’m not nice to everyone, I’m nice to those who earn my respect. She earned it, so I took care of her. The time I spent not studying or working, I spent with her. I love her so much, more than anyone else, and I haven’t seen her since I woke up in this fucking ocean. Will I ever hold her again? I remember the day we met, a nice sunny day like this one. I was in the park, I loved to walk up to the park and sit, and just think. I’d think about so many things, girls, the newest video game, even politics. But this day, when I sat down I wasn’t alone, there was a little girl, maybe a preteen sitting right next to me. Me being the paranoid adult I was, scooted the fuck away. I was on the edge of the bench, and must have looked funny, because she laughed at me.
“What’s so funny kid?”
“You. Are you always so weird?” She giggled and wore the brightest smile I’d ever seen.
“No, are you always so nosy?”
“Maybe.”
“So uh, where are you parents kid?” Her face bore a darker expression.
“I don’t have any.”
“Uhh ok, so do you live with someone around here?”
She pointed to the woods. No.
“I live there.”
“Bullshit.”
“It’s not bullshit!”
“So, you live in the woods.”

“Ye-“

“HEY!” Blue sails voice brought me back to reality.
“Wha-What?”
“Did you not hear anything I said? Pirates are boarding the ship!”
“Shiiiiiit!”

Author's Note

Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash punches Starlight Nova in the face.