Guns of Pegasusby Twisted GearsChaptersTome 1 - PrologueTome 2 - BucketTome 3 - FogTome 4 - ScrapsTome 5 - ShovelTome 1 - Prologue"...Hey! HEY! Wake up already!" "Hnnn... Wh... Wha...?" "Wake the buck up! Your crew and captain left you behind!" Shouted out the Bartender, an old Stallion, with a beard as long as his age. He shook a young Stallion, with a pair of navigator goggles on his head. His coat was rust-Orange, under a brown cow leather jacket. His mane was combed backwards, with a certain tone of brown, yet with a dominance of Red. His tail was exceptionally short, and he was drunk. Drunk like if there was no tomorrow. "Oh.. Oh, OH, SH-" He halfways said, as he tried to get up, but he ended falling back from the stool, smashing the hardwood ground with his back. Unable to move on his own, he just limited himself to look at the Bartender, that was looking at him from the other side of the bar, with an amused expression. "Oh, and they said that you would pay the drinks. One-Thousand bits , kiddo." "WHAT?!" He exclaimed, temporally recovering control of himself at the shock of a debt he was never going to be able to pay. "How the hay you want me to pay a -friggin'- Thousand Bits!" "I dunno, that's up to you, kiddo." Replied the Bartender, smiling evily. "But you have to pay me anwyays. Or else..." He patted under the bar, where a Shotgun was waiting. The Stallion started to rub his mane in pure preocuppation. He didn't knew how to make that much money, and without being part of a crew, everything was going to be even more complicated. "Aw, sh-" Before he could end the curse, a dark-gray hoof stepped next to his stool. "You do not need to scam the poor kid, Whiskey. They paid their drinks already when they left him behind." Said a cold voice, coming from the upper end of the hoof. "Fine, fine..." Said the Bartender, taking his hoof away from under the bar. "If you excuse me, um... I'll better go..." When the Bartender -Properly named Whiskey- left the bar, the same dark-gray hoof raised up to the level of his eyes. "Come on, kid, get up. You still have a sea of clouds to sail." Said the voice. The young one took the hoof, and with a quick movement, he was on two legs already. He looked up to his saviour. Dark-Green Mane, dark-gray coat and one eye like a leaf, and the other one under a black Eyepatch, the Stallion had a real imposing prescence. With some traces of a long life, he was wearing a black trenchcoat, with a grey belt on its chest that led to a Holdster... Probably to the one of a Hoofgun. "T-Thanks... What's your name?" Asked the young Stallion. observing the Eyepatch. "Captain Dragunovv, of the Northern Fjords." He simply replied, without taking his eye from the young one. "What is yours, may I ask?" "Mine... Mine's Tin Compass... Sir?" He said, emulating an old Navy salute, still under the effects of alcohol in his body. The Captain left out a slight smile, still observing Tin. "I see. Well then, Tin. Make sure to do not get scammed again in a Tavern." He eyed Whiskey, that was cleaning a mug in the other end. He shrugged a bit, before combing his beard once he was done with the mug. "Ah-hee... Thanks for... Well... Saving my wallet." He said, rubbing his head, that was starting to earn the effects of a hangover already. "Well then, I must go now. My ship calls me. Good luck finding a new Crew." Said the Captain, tapping his shoulder, turning and leaving the Tavern the very next second. Tin stayed there, processing everything that just happened. He looked down to the Hardwood floor, where the wooden Stool was. He placed it back on its four legs, and left the Tavern through the classic Western-like door, made out of the same Hardwood. Sylika, the floating Commercial Capital. Former Canterlot, after the mountain cracked by its half, almost destroying the city completely. Only Celestia, the Empress of the Sun made it, and the ponies that survived adapted, turning the former Castle-City into the hearth of the Sylikan Empire, following the Regime of the Alicorns. Love and Tolerance, under the promise of paying Taxes and giving food for the general public. The streets of the main Boulevard were wide, and made out of a well-cared Cobblestone. Not even the pass of the centuries eroded it. The Docks were at the south, heading to the right of what's left of the mountain. Hardwood bridges connect a set of smaller floating islands, where the Farms and the Lighthouse were located at. Tin went straight to the Recruitment center. A small wooden hut at the side of the Docks, marked with a sign with a paper printed on it. Even the few analphabet Ponies knew that they could go there to sign up for a Crew. Tin trotted to the Stallion that was attending the Hut. He was a tall, grey Unicorn, with a blue mane. He was wearing glasses with a telemetric augment, to watch on small documents. He looked down to Tin. "Hm... I think that I remember you..." He said, as a few crystals moved in front of the glasses, making his purple eyes look even bigger. "Y-Yeah... I signed in two months ago..." Replied Tin, looking at the gi-normous eye. "Tin Compass, if you don't remember the name..." "Ah, yes... Tin, Tin..." He started to check on the papers, levitating them with his magic, untill he found one with Tin's picture on the upper-left side. "Yes... You signed for Captain Spyglass' Crew... Did they kicked you out?" He asked, looking back at Tin. "Well... Kindoff... They dumped me here, and I have nowhere else to go..." Said Tin, looking down to the border between the Hardwood Docks, and the Cobblestone walkway. "I see. I'll put you back to the Queue for a Captain, then..." He said, taking out a pencil, and rewriting some details in Tin's file. "How long will it take for you to find a captain for me?" Asked Tin, observing him rewrite the file, distracted by the constant movement of the crystals of the glasses. "Well... We don't have much Captains here, at Sylika... It might take around a week, because there's much more Ponies in front of you in the Queue..." "Oh, come on! Is there a way for you to speed up the process?" Asked Tin, observing the Captains list, right behind the Stallion. "No. This process takes a long while, unless somepony passes in front and hires you like th-" He got cutted mid-sentence, as a blood-Red Pegasus Mare showed up, basically crashing on Tin's back, in the perfect bombardment angle. "Ah- AH! S-Sorry!" She said, stepping off from Tin's back, that was pretty much in pain now, mixed with the hangover. The Mare combed her snow-White mane away from her ruby-like eyes, and moved a hoof to help Tin up. "Are you 'aight?" Tin catched the Mare's red hoof, and got up, feeling the pain on his back. Again. "N-No... I think I broke a spine or somethin'..." "Aw, come on! tis' nothing!" Said the Mare, as she slammed her hoof on his back. The pain returned to Tin's back, for the thirth time in a row. "By the way, I kinda noticed that you're in need of a Crew. And my Capn's in the need of new crewmembers..." She said, observing Tin. "I-I... I guess that I'll jump in..." Said Tin, rubbing his back. "Ooh, nice!" Said the Mare, cracking a big smile. "My name's Bloodwing! What's yours?" Asked Bloodwing, tapping her chest, where a grey jacket leaving space for her wings to maneouver was on, and extending her hoof for a hoofshake. "Tin Compass..." He said, taking her hoof, and completing the hoofshake. "Nice to meet ya'! What's your speciality, so I can tell it to my capn'?" Asked Bloodwing, tilting her head. "Ah... Engineering, and cartography... I also do some Astronomy meanwhile." Said Tin, remembering the details like a robot. "Ooh... We need more engineers in our ship, that's for sure. I do the Gunnery in our crew, so I guess that you'll make sure that I can shoot nice and steady, hmm?" Said Bloodwing, with a certain tone of mockery (And flirt) in her voice and acts. "I-I guess..." Said Tin, rubbing his mane, understanding a bit of the double-sence. "Tssk! Can you sign him in our crew, since we're at this?" Said Bloodwing, turning towards the Stallion in the Hut, that limited himself to observe the strange situation. "E-Eh... Sure..." He said, erasing what he just wrote."What's the Captain's name?" He asked, moving to the files behind him. "Baron Von-Owl, of the Southern Fjorlands!" She said, with an extra tone of proudness, since she was working for him. "Uh-huh... Let me check... Baron... Baron..." He mumbled, checking among the files. At last, he took out a file, with the image of a Stallion wearing a cocked hat, and aviator goggles. "Ah, yes... Baron Von-Owl... Of the... Southerns... Fjorlanders... Here he is..." Mumbled the Stallion, taking the paper, and filling in the details, as any other bureaucrat would do. "...Are we done here?" Asked Bloodwing, in a hurry to bring Tin to her crew. "Yes, yes... You both can go now... I'll fill in everything else..." Replied the Stallion, as another set of crystals moved to his glasses, this time reducing the zoom he had. "Allrighty then! Come on, Tin!" Said Bloodwing, grabbing Tin's hoof, and pulling him along the Docks. Everypony outside that conversation thought that they were a couple in love, running among the docks like if nothing. And Tin noticed this. "I-I can walk, you know..." He said, among the blabbery from the Alcohol-poisoning. "I doubt that you can even stand..." She released his hoof. "But, can you fly?" Said Bloodwing, stopping a few steps away. "F-Fly?" Asked Tin, looking at Bloodwing's eyes. She unfolded her wings, and with one single movement, she was in the air, and in another quick movement, she swooped down to Tin, picking him up. With Tin on her hooves, she launched a giggle, and a smile. "Well well, seems that you can fly!" "Hey! Put me down!" Shouted Tin, suddently realizing that he only liked to fly on Airships. Bloodwing took Tin to a nearby Airship. A Galleon, to be more prescise. The Galleon was also known as The sideways Tank, due to the heavy cannons at both sides of the airship. It had to be lifted by three balloons, due to the heavy weight of both, the metallic hull and the guns themselves. It was slow, but strong. A direct hit from the heavy Flak cannnons this Galleon in particular had installed would pierce a ten centimeter hull, and cause horrible damages due to the splinters of the hole, and the shrapnel of the bullet itself. Bloodwing flew close to the embarcation platform. "For Blizzard's sake, Tin! You're heavy!" She said, mocking at Tin. "I'm not the one that decided to lift somepony else from safe ground!" Replied Tin, getting into a tighter hug with Bloodwing's hooves, mostly to prevent a freefall from the Docks. "Hey, wait untill the thirth date for physical contact!" She mocked even more, untill she landed in front of the Galleon. She looked down and under her belly, where Tin was still holding himself, a few milimeters from the hardwood floor. "...You can get off me anytime, Tin..." Tin opened his eyes, noticing that he was on safe lands again, and released his grip from Bloodwing, landing in the wooden floor with his back, for the thirth time today. Then, a voice raised from the direction of the Galleon. "Bloodwing! Who is this kid?!" Said an old Stallion's voice. Bloodwing looked up. "Ah, Baron! I mean, Cap'n! I got a new Crewmember for you, sir!" Said Bloodwing, making the same Navy salute Tin made back in the Tavern. "I see..." Replied the Voice. Tin looked to that direction, and managed to observe an old Stallion, with a black coat and grey mane, under a blue cocked hat, a white trenchcoat, and aviator goggles under the hat. "Well well well, what is the name of the Rookie?" Tin tried to regain control of his mouth, and speaking while laying in the ground, while having a hangover isn't easy. "...Tin Compass... Sir..." "...Welcome aboard the Changeling Charger, kiddo!" He said, gesturing to the blue-painted Galleon behind him. ...This is going to be interesting. Tome 2 - Bucket"...So, Cartography, Engineering, and Astronomy. Anything else you can do for our ship, kid?" Asked Baron Von-Owl, looking down at Tin, that was still laying in the ground, facing the sky. "I-Er... I have some contacts here and there too..." He said, trying to hide the fact that he never touched the Helm by himself, or shooted an actual weapon on his whole life. Owl looked up at Bloodwing. "Well then, seems so. May I ask, from where do you actually come from?" He asked, his sight returning to Tin. "...From the industrial city of Fallow, Sir..." He said, remembering the -once upon a time Manehattan's- skyscrappers, that were turned into factories and homes after the chaotic disaster, simply known as The Rupture. "Ahh.. To the Dry East... The Mares in that zone are pretty to eye, yes..." He said, his eyes escaping reality, as he lost tracks of his actions, and started to drool on the thoughts of nice Flanks. "...Captain! Wake up! You're drooling... Again!" Said Bloodwing, taking Owl back to reality. "Ah!" He cleared the liquids from his mouth, and then looked back to Tin. "Well then, I guess that I should introduce you to the rest of the crew..." Tin nodded, as he got up from the ground. Owl signalled him to board the ship, as Bloodwing walked past him, heading inside. During that moment, Tin got the opportunity to see Bloodwing's flank, where a set of gears connected by wires were printed on. This made him think. If she's a gunner, why does she has gears as a Cutiemark? He looked at his own flank, where a compass was printed, as a permanent memory for him, when he had to find a way to escape the first attack on Fallow, from the side of Sky Pirates. He limited himself to clear his mind, and board the Galleon. And it wasn't nice to stare at a fellow Crewmember's butt. "...Mare and Gentle...Colt, we have a new member in our crew! Everypony, raise your hooves for Tin Compass!" Said Von-Owl, after Tin boarded. He saw a Mare in the ship, and a Colt. The Colt was a little earth Pony, with a green coat and a darker green for his mane. He wore nothing but aviator goggles on. "Welcome to Tartarus!" He said, with a wicked smile on his face. "...Thanks?" Replied Tin, raising an eyebrow. He thought that underaged Ponies couldn't ride Airships, but the last time he checked a Laws book, was around ten years ago. the Mare waved to Tin next. She was unusually tall, orange-ish Coat, a mane red as an apple, and eyes with the shine of the Sun. She wore a brown leather jacket, with a corset under it... For some reason. "Welcome to the Char--!" She attempted to say, right when she was interrupted by another Mare, that suddently popped out from behind her. She was a Pegasus, blue coat and magenta Mane. Her left eye was covered under a bandage that covered half her mane too. It looked recent, whatever that happened to her, and her other eye was yellow. She wore nothing aside from the bandage. "Ah, we have a newbie? Welcome aboard, then!" The Orange-Ish Mare looked up, to her recent interruption. "Hey, Cloud! I told you to not interrupt me twice today!" The Pegasus -named Cloud- landed next to her. "What'dya say, Pepper? You'll have to excuse my lack of audition, I was shot on the face yesterday!" "You wouldn't gotten yourself shot if-" She got interrupted again, as a thirth Mare popped from the Engines room, with a Wrench on her mouth. She was wearing large goggles covering her eyes -Wich were yellow-, that matched her white coat, and brown mane. She had metallic boots on her hooves, probably to protect them from the heat the Engines launched when working. She spitted the Wrench towards Cloud, hitting her right on the back of her head. "Last time you both discuss today, damnit! I'm tired of your constant blabbery!" She shouted, before turning over to Tin, finally noticing his existance. "Ah, hello! Welcome aboard... Whoever you are! My name's Rusty, to serve!" She added, making a slight bow, her mane dropping a considerable ammount of iron slag next. Tin looked to Owl, the one that was laughting his flank off at the situation. He seemed to enjoy watching three Mares almost kill eachother more than what he should. Tin then looked back to them. "....Thanks, miss... Rusty." He said next, eyeing Cloud, the one that was rubbing the back of her head, thanks to the recent impact, and glaring towards Rusty. Meanwhile, Bloodwing used the oportunity to lift Tin again. "Well, you know everypony already! Lemme put you straight where we'll need you!" "H-Hey! Put me down!" He said, before stopping his little struggle to get himself free. It was pretty much pointless, since Bloodwing was pretty fast in the matter of raising Ponies from the ground. Soon, he was dumped on the Helm. There was a table right behind it, with a crystal display, showing the map of the area; being that the giant rock Sylika was built on, and the surrounding territories; Nalm, at the north-West, former Vanhoover, now Sylika's commercial, and political rival, the Fallowlands, at the East, former Manehattan and Fillydelphia, the Anvala region at the South, former Appleloosa, the Fjorlands and the Firnfields at the North, former Crystal Empire, and the Crystal Mountains, respectively. The map it showed only reached the former Equestria, now divided in those little city-States. It was unkown what happened to the Gryphons, the Zebras, or the Saddle Arabians, as every communications with them broke, as the earth did. Bloodwing proceeded to drop Tin on safe floor, as Tin looked around, noticing the map. Bloodwing landed at his side, and gestured to the table. "Well, here's the map. The Baron knows how to use it, but he ends getting troubles with plotting courses and that. I think that there's when you enter." She adds, as Owl goes upstairs, towards the Helm, leaving the three Mares discussing -If not already hitting eachother- behind. "Well then, kid. You'll be up here with me pretty often. You also have the Balloon heater right... There." He adds, gesturing towards a bottle-shaped metal piece, attached to a pipe, that led to the Baloons over their heads. The piece had a balloon, printed in black, in contrast with the white-stained metal plates that were the piece directed to be the balloon's source of power, aside from the fact that highly-combustible Gas was being used to fill the Baloons with. Tin nods. "Got it. And... Uh, one little question..." He added next, rubbing his mane. "...Spit it up, kid." Replied Von-Owl. "I've got ears, and I plan of making a good use of them." "Where's-Uh... The Bathroom?" He asked next, smiling a little. The drinks from the night where already attempting to, well. Flow out. "...Heh. There's no fancy 'Bathroom' on this ship, kiddo. However, there's something that assembles one. Follow me, then." He added, gesturing Tin to follow him, while he walked downstairs. Bloodwing gave Tin a 'good luck' look. Tin proceeded to follow Von-Owl, as he lead him towards the Engines room. Owl opened the door, and gestured inside. "At the left, you'll see a Bucket. That's it." He simply stated, looking to Tin, the one that returned a concerned look. "You're saying that we...?" He asked next, looking into the Door. Owl simply nodded. "Yup. Once you're done, dump it off-deck, from the hole behind. Make sure it doesn't hit the Turbine though, or else you'll have to clean a real mess." He added next, with all the seriousness he could gather, wich wasn't much. Tin just stared at him, wondering if it was a joke, or not. "For... Real?" He asked next, raising an eyebrow. Owl nodded again. "For real. This ship was build with the Battle in mind, not mundane commodities. Like Bathrooms, tea-Storages, Showers..." He added, thinking of what the Changeling Charger lacked of. "...Does this ship at least has... I dunno, somewhere to sleep, or do we have to sleep in the main deck?" He asked, holding a bit. He really didn't wanted to do his needs on a bucket. "Well, we usually lock up the lower deck, and lay down a few beds. 'Less you're insane, like Cloud, that sleeps between the Balloons. Because you aren't, right?" He asked, looking at Tin with a bit of concern now. "I-No! I'm not insane! ...I think. B-But well... Uhm... I'll use the.. 'Bathroom' for now... Don't mind me..." He added next, looking into the room, and towards the Bucket. It was strangely clean, and even shining, waiting for Tin to use it, the way a Bucket shouldn't be used. "...Aight then. I'll let your privacy be. Lock the door if you're planning to use it for... 'Other' things. Te-hee." Added Owl, before closing the door, not giving Tin enough time to reply, and walking off towards the three Mares, that were now fighting eachother, and not verbally prescicely. However, he didn't looked like if stopping them, as he just sitted at a safe distance, and enjoyed the show. Meanwhile, the Colt, whose name was never told, sat near Owl, as they shared oppinions on who they would bet if a more serious fight broke out. Rusty was the one catching more attention, as she was the only smart one to use a Wrench as a tool, and not precisely to fix. ...This feels just like home. Tome 3 - Fog...Aaah. This feels good. Thought a certain Pony, after completing the obligatory, fisiological needs, and of course, carefully getting rid of whatever was left about them. Though he was also impressed that the Bucket was still unusually clean after being... Used. Thus, placing the Bucket back in place, and after cleaning himelf, Tin happily trotted off, unlocked the door, and... Bam. His nose met a Wrench. Letting out a loud squeak of pure pain, Tin's head recoiled by the impact, his body soon following, falling on his back. His hooves, quickly moved to cover his snout, that was now stained with a tone of red, coming from the area that met the hard Steel of the Wrench. His hindlegs started wraggling out to 'flee' from the pain, but of course, it's hard to escape from pain located in the nose. "O-Oh! Sorry, Tin!" Said a certain Mare, wriggling out of the cartoonish cloud of conflict that broke between the three Mares. The voice, also came from Cloud, the one who seemed to have nicked the Wrench from Rusty, and of course, ended smacking an innocent Pony with it. Collateral damages, as one would usually say. "Are you okay? Need some ice? Bandages? A kiss to the snout to be A-OK?" Cloud muttered, taking a carefull step at the side of the wraggling Tin. After a few extra seconds of struggle, Tin slowly opened his deep Amber eyes, and rose his right hoof, stained with the red of his own blood. His pupil dilatated, as he moved the hoof back to his snout. "Hurts..." He simply muttered, closing both his eyes. That is, untill the loud stomp of a hoof he well-knew interrupted his childish attitude. "You'd better get up from the ground, kid. We don't have a slot for a Whimp in the Charger. Now get your flank up, and to position! We are setting course to the Fjorlands. We happen to have a lovely payload of Wool... And guess what the Fjords need?" Owl cheekidly said next, rubbing his hooves together in pure greed. Cloud proceeded to step aside, and then nudged Tin on the leg. "C'mon, I'll patch you up. If I covered my own eye without loosing it completely, then I can patch that pretty little nose of yours!" She said, offering a little reassuring smile. Meanwhile, the other two Mares had stopped figthing since Tin squeaked in pain, and now held an interesting posture, where Rusty's hoof was about to meet Pepper's snout, the one whose left Hindleg was about to hit Rusty, in a very... Private area. Even if she had no such parts. Thus, Tin slowly nodded, and sniffed. This wasn't the first time he's smelled his own blood. He's gotten into Bar brawls before (Though usually never left victorous), though this time, the scent of his own blood, without Alcohol, was... Strange. Very strange. Thus, after getting up -And stumbling to not faceplant, Tin proceeded to follow Cloud upstairs, to the Helm, and to the Map. Cloud pulled out a little Bandage, and as Tin sitted, his snout was covered with it in record-time. "Good as new!" Cloud so happily stated, proudly tapping her chest. "Do give me a call if you loose a limb!" She teased next, before ruffling Tin's mane, and taking flight to her post under the Ship, near the Guns. And, before Tin could say 'Thanks', Von-Owl just happened to step into the Helm, sparing a look to Tin. "Well, since you are our Carthographer, you are in charge of telling me, the cap'n, where to go. So! Plot the safest, quickest and most exciting course to the Fjorlands!" He said, waving to the unnamed Colt, to lift the Anchor. With a nod, the little one ran to the edge of the ship, and pressed a button. That's it. Tin, on the other hoof, placed himself near the Map, and after a very quick run via eyesight, he imagined three different routes they could take. One, was a suicide. The other would let them without food... And the last one, would take too long. "Well... I can suggest three routes, sir. We can go straight up north and face the Sky Pirates... Or we can circle via Nalm, and take a month to reach the Fjorlands... Or we can evade the Pirates via the the edge of the Firnfields, with no promise of having a stop to restock our food. Captain?" Tin asked, his sight raising to Baron. The one, who stared dumbfoundly at Tin. "Uh- We'll take the route straight! We have a Galleon, a few Pirates ain't taking my ship down! Har har!" He so proudly stated, wriggling his eyebrows, as his hoof met the Steering wheel, and with a rather violent turn, and a few hits to the speed regulator, the Changeling Charger was taking flight off-port. "Off we go! TO THE ADVENTURE!" Owl so happily shouted out, as everypony ran to their posts. Everypony but the Colt, and Tin. Mostly because Tin was already on his post, and the Colt, had nothing to do there, since the boarding platform was automatic, and the Galleon got the green light to leave the Pier. Thus, with the loud roar of all three heavy Engines sounding in unisone, the Galleon's Balloons receiving a good load of hot, highly-combustible gas, and the Steering Wheel making worringly cracking noises, the Charger was off to adventure. To complete the great quest, of delivering Wool to the cold North. Hurray! Three days. "It has been three days since we last saw... Anything, Captain. Are you sure that you took the correct route?" Tin asked, after having checked the Map. Trice. There wasn't anything he could use to pinpoint their location. All the clouds were exactly the same, and said clouds also blocked any sight from the Stars. At least they knew they were going North. The Sun still shined across the dense Fog that had formed the day prior. "Of course tis' the route, Tin! Why else would I navigate through it! I have an Eagle eye, you kno-" Von-Owl was about to harshly reply, untill the voice of the Colt, ringed through his ears. "TREE AHEAD! TUUURN!" Shouted the squeaky voice of the little one, as he bounced from the fore deck, to the Engine room. Blinking at this sudden realization, Von-Owl couldn't do much but to spin the Wheel the most his hooves left him, and attempt to hit the 'Shut down engines' command within his reach. But none of these things were enough to stop a huge ship, mid-air, as altough the Engines stopped, Aerodynamics and physics simply made the ship gently slide to a side, and have its entire left port harshly meet the sturdy Oak. Oak? In the middle of nowhere? Ooooh. After the impact, wich gladly didn't killed anypony, Tin proceeded to bounce towards the impacted area, as his eyes stared at the Tree they just mutilated. "Sir, I... Do believe we're in a forest-" "Of course we are in one, cap'n obvious!" Snapped out the pretty irritiated Owl. He didn't liked ramming his ship! It broke the paintjob! "...And that means we are above land." Continued Tin, walking back to the Map, as Rusty rushed out of the Engine room, and stared down at the large splinters of Wood on Metal. She grumbled loudly, and turned around, and said certain obscenities at Owl, questioning his capabilities to keep the Ship intact. But well, back to Tin. "And if we are above Land, it means we can find out where we are!" If Owl had fingers, he'd have flipped one to Rusty in return, but he had none. So, a simple tongue-stickup would do. But Tin had a point there. "Oh. Hey, maybe you're right, kiddo! For once. I mean! Yes, good idea! BLOODWING!" The Cap'n shouted at the top of his lungs, and in a matter of three seconds dot five, Bloodwing was already hovering above the Captain. "Yessire?" The oddly calm Mare said, offering him a little, childish salute. "I need ye' at ground-level. Bring Tin with, we must know where we just... Made another splinter on my ship. Tata!" Commanded Owl, gesturing to Tin. After a nod, and a grin, Bloodwing quickly swooped down for Tin -The one who panicked-, and picked him up. She was getting pretty skilled at that. "D-Don't drop me! Who knows how high we are above ground!" Tin suddently squealed, now clinching to Bloodwing like if it was the last time of his life. With a grin, she proceeded to fly off-board, and slowly approached the... Ground. If there was, as she only had the tall, tall Tree to guide her down. "Reeee-Laaax! I'm not going to drop you, silly thing! I wouldn't ever drop something as cute as yoooou~!" She teased, gently chuckling. That's what happens after three days straight without being able to do much, while having to sleep, uncomfortably close to somepony else. Thus, after Tin going oddly silent, and having his cheeks fluster three tones redder due to what he's been seeing, but being unable to touch, tease him once again. After a few seconds of carefull flight, Tin's hindlegs met grass. "Okay, we are at ground level, Bloodwing. Mind... Releasing me? I believe that we already have enough... Contact at night." He said, looking up, his nose suddently meeting one of her white, slightly curly hairs. He couldn't hold but to subtedly sniff that. It smelled like... Cinnamon. Oddly enough, considering where they slept, and all the Rust they had to face. "Awww, I was having fun tossing you around!" Bloodwing teased, her snout turning onto a little grin, as she spread both her Forehooves, thus releasing Tin from her evil grapple. Soon, she landed besides him, and spared a look to him, and the dense Fog surrounding them. "It's a bit cold and humid here. Where do you think we are?" She asked now, sliding her right hoof to toy with a nearby rock. A rock, that just happend to splur out Wings, and flew away. Damn rock-Bugs and their disguise. "Rockbugs... Dense Fog, Oak... I believe we are located... At least, two-Hundred Aerial miles West from the old Neighara Falls. Wich makes us be, possibly just a day or two away from our-" And as he was about to raise his hoof to gesture, almost with milimetric presition where the Falls where at, his mouth met a hoof. Bloodwing's hoof. "Shhhh! Do you hear that?" She asked, her tactician vein tingling there. Her ears perking at the fog surrounding them, the Mare felt silent, as Tin was forced onto silence too. Slowly, Bloodwing released his mouth, and soon rubbed that hoof onto his jacket. Ew. "It sounded like... A Flare gun." She whispered next, violently nudging Tin. "We must return the Charger!" But just before she could take hold of tin once again, the Charger was enveloped with two Beacons. Little orbs, that stop mid-air, and burst into a glorious green light, that mark Metal to be seen across fog, and dense clouds. A magical way to spot Airships hiding in clouds or dense Fog... Like the one currently enveloping the Charger. The question of 'who would use these?', quickly crossed through Tin's mind... Untill the realization struck him. The very next second, the roaring of engines could be heard. Two, triplets of engines to be more exact. Two Airships, coming from left and right of the Galleon. And only a very trained Engineer could tell what kind of Airship has that specific kind of Engines. And Tin, knew them. He's been onboard the only Airship that used such kind... And he was now scared. Scared of what would happen to the Galleon. The Ship in question, was usually mentioned as the Frontline Assaulter, due to its capability of resisting a lot of damage up front... And deal trice the ammount upon its enemies. The Pyramidion, a Ship, designed solely for the purpose of breaking havoc in the frontlines, charging head-first. Literally. Afterall, it had a ramming head equipped on the front, designed to pierce, both Hull and Balloons with deadly strenght. But that wasn't what had Tin worried. It was the fact that two Pyramidions, against one sole Galleon, meant an easy feast. One Pyramidion, in the hooves of a good Captain, could wipe up to three Ships by itself. Two, with coordination, could end very badly. A coordination, that was apparent, just by the sight of the Beacons telling where the Charger was. "B-Bloodwing! Pyramidions!" Tin suddently exclaimed, looking up onto the fog, only to see the shadow of a Triangle-Shaped Airship. And from that shadow, the sound of a Gatling gun, gently starting, was heard... Followed by the chain gunshots of rapid Greased rounds. Rounds, that dealt less damage, but shot twice as fast, thanks to the special Oil used to load and shoot them. Plus, the Oil made reloading them easier, thus assuring a constant, almost endless barrage of bullets onto one direction. And all of those bullets, were leaving dents upon the Galleon's hull. The Charger soon had to pump more Air onto the Balloons -It was too close to the surface to propperly fight. Having to leave two of its crewmembers in the ground was already bad -But worse was not being able to fight back. The Galleon soon slowly turned -Its heavy Flak cannons starting to take aim against the Gatling... untill another Gatling started to spin. Tin's ear didn't lied to him. Two Pyramidions, enveloping one single Galleon. Even Bloodwing could tell that this wasn't going to end well. With a squeal of worry, Bloodwing attempted to take flight -Only to be stopped by Tin. "No, don't!" He shouted, as both his hooves took hold of her tail, "You'll get harmed!" "B-But we have to help! Our Captain! Our ship!" She said, looking down to Tin, resisting the need to lay a kick upon his snout, to be able to take flight and board the flying Galleon... But it was already too late. Within a matter of seconds, the Galleon's magnetic Hull-Shield broke, letting out a loud 'Zap', thus letting the Pyramidions know when to switch to their second weapon. The gentle, yet notice-able sound of Mortar shells, being clicked out from the barrel of a Gun was heard -Followed by the whizzing of its drop. As Bloodwing's sight rose, barely being able to see due to the Fog, the loud blast of a Mortar shell, hitting the Hull of the Charger rang through the air, alongside the sight of the ship, lighting up in fire. Incediary Mortar rounds. Only Pirates, with the sole desire of destruction used such. And what kind of Pirates only wish destruction? The Sky Pirates of Graybeard "The great". They are known not for seeking treasure and loot, but for their darefull, highly-coordinated attacks just to bring down larger targets. Why they do such, is unknown for the world. But one thing is known. that the Charger, was burning. Shell after shell, the explosions and fire quickly spread across the entire hull. And soon... The charger, felt. The Fire made the Balloons explode, releasing the Gas inside into a massive blast of glorious fire and death; the metal that it was holding, falling down like a rock. Thankfully, it had moved away from Tin and Bloodwing, as the several tonnes of Steel, Scraps... And Wool, slammed hard onto the grassy land, with yet another explosion, due to the ammunition of Flak rounds stored within the guns, and the supply room. Horrorized by such a sight across Fog, Bloodwing stopped flapping her wings, and felt down onto the grass, just how the Charger did. Her eyes, watering quickly upon the loss of her job, her friends, and possibly even her home, the Mare quickly bursted into tears of sadness, pain... And anger. Finally releasing Bloodwing's tail, Tin backed off a bit, and stumbled back, his eyes, also equally horrorized by such a sight. He knew that the Pyramidions were strong ships... But this... Was too extreme. Even for him. He had no words for what just happened, as he simply sat there, even letting the Rockbug land on his muzzle. This... Was a very big loss. Tome 4 - ScrapsSomething has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.Tome 5 - ShovelSomething has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.
Tome 1 - Prologue"...Hey! HEY! Wake up already!" "Hnnn... Wh... Wha...?" "Wake the buck up! Your crew and captain left you behind!" Shouted out the Bartender, an old Stallion, with a beard as long as his age. He shook a young Stallion, with a pair of navigator goggles on his head. His coat was rust-Orange, under a brown cow leather jacket. His mane was combed backwards, with a certain tone of brown, yet with a dominance of Red. His tail was exceptionally short, and he was drunk. Drunk like if there was no tomorrow. "Oh.. Oh, OH, SH-" He halfways said, as he tried to get up, but he ended falling back from the stool, smashing the hardwood ground with his back. Unable to move on his own, he just limited himself to look at the Bartender, that was looking at him from the other side of the bar, with an amused expression. "Oh, and they said that you would pay the drinks. One-Thousand bits , kiddo." "WHAT?!" He exclaimed, temporally recovering control of himself at the shock of a debt he was never going to be able to pay. "How the hay you want me to pay a -friggin'- Thousand Bits!" "I dunno, that's up to you, kiddo." Replied the Bartender, smiling evily. "But you have to pay me anwyays. Or else..." He patted under the bar, where a Shotgun was waiting. The Stallion started to rub his mane in pure preocuppation. He didn't knew how to make that much money, and without being part of a crew, everything was going to be even more complicated. "Aw, sh-" Before he could end the curse, a dark-gray hoof stepped next to his stool. "You do not need to scam the poor kid, Whiskey. They paid their drinks already when they left him behind." Said a cold voice, coming from the upper end of the hoof. "Fine, fine..." Said the Bartender, taking his hoof away from under the bar. "If you excuse me, um... I'll better go..." When the Bartender -Properly named Whiskey- left the bar, the same dark-gray hoof raised up to the level of his eyes. "Come on, kid, get up. You still have a sea of clouds to sail." Said the voice. The young one took the hoof, and with a quick movement, he was on two legs already. He looked up to his saviour. Dark-Green Mane, dark-gray coat and one eye like a leaf, and the other one under a black Eyepatch, the Stallion had a real imposing prescence. With some traces of a long life, he was wearing a black trenchcoat, with a grey belt on its chest that led to a Holdster... Probably to the one of a Hoofgun. "T-Thanks... What's your name?" Asked the young Stallion. observing the Eyepatch. "Captain Dragunovv, of the Northern Fjords." He simply replied, without taking his eye from the young one. "What is yours, may I ask?" "Mine... Mine's Tin Compass... Sir?" He said, emulating an old Navy salute, still under the effects of alcohol in his body. The Captain left out a slight smile, still observing Tin. "I see. Well then, Tin. Make sure to do not get scammed again in a Tavern." He eyed Whiskey, that was cleaning a mug in the other end. He shrugged a bit, before combing his beard once he was done with the mug. "Ah-hee... Thanks for... Well... Saving my wallet." He said, rubbing his head, that was starting to earn the effects of a hangover already. "Well then, I must go now. My ship calls me. Good luck finding a new Crew." Said the Captain, tapping his shoulder, turning and leaving the Tavern the very next second. Tin stayed there, processing everything that just happened. He looked down to the Hardwood floor, where the wooden Stool was. He placed it back on its four legs, and left the Tavern through the classic Western-like door, made out of the same Hardwood. Sylika, the floating Commercial Capital. Former Canterlot, after the mountain cracked by its half, almost destroying the city completely. Only Celestia, the Empress of the Sun made it, and the ponies that survived adapted, turning the former Castle-City into the hearth of the Sylikan Empire, following the Regime of the Alicorns. Love and Tolerance, under the promise of paying Taxes and giving food for the general public. The streets of the main Boulevard were wide, and made out of a well-cared Cobblestone. Not even the pass of the centuries eroded it. The Docks were at the south, heading to the right of what's left of the mountain. Hardwood bridges connect a set of smaller floating islands, where the Farms and the Lighthouse were located at. Tin went straight to the Recruitment center. A small wooden hut at the side of the Docks, marked with a sign with a paper printed on it. Even the few analphabet Ponies knew that they could go there to sign up for a Crew. Tin trotted to the Stallion that was attending the Hut. He was a tall, grey Unicorn, with a blue mane. He was wearing glasses with a telemetric augment, to watch on small documents. He looked down to Tin. "Hm... I think that I remember you..." He said, as a few crystals moved in front of the glasses, making his purple eyes look even bigger. "Y-Yeah... I signed in two months ago..." Replied Tin, looking at the gi-normous eye. "Tin Compass, if you don't remember the name..." "Ah, yes... Tin, Tin..." He started to check on the papers, levitating them with his magic, untill he found one with Tin's picture on the upper-left side. "Yes... You signed for Captain Spyglass' Crew... Did they kicked you out?" He asked, looking back at Tin. "Well... Kindoff... They dumped me here, and I have nowhere else to go..." Said Tin, looking down to the border between the Hardwood Docks, and the Cobblestone walkway. "I see. I'll put you back to the Queue for a Captain, then..." He said, taking out a pencil, and rewriting some details in Tin's file. "How long will it take for you to find a captain for me?" Asked Tin, observing him rewrite the file, distracted by the constant movement of the crystals of the glasses. "Well... We don't have much Captains here, at Sylika... It might take around a week, because there's much more Ponies in front of you in the Queue..." "Oh, come on! Is there a way for you to speed up the process?" Asked Tin, observing the Captains list, right behind the Stallion. "No. This process takes a long while, unless somepony passes in front and hires you like th-" He got cutted mid-sentence, as a blood-Red Pegasus Mare showed up, basically crashing on Tin's back, in the perfect bombardment angle. "Ah- AH! S-Sorry!" She said, stepping off from Tin's back, that was pretty much in pain now, mixed with the hangover. The Mare combed her snow-White mane away from her ruby-like eyes, and moved a hoof to help Tin up. "Are you 'aight?" Tin catched the Mare's red hoof, and got up, feeling the pain on his back. Again. "N-No... I think I broke a spine or somethin'..." "Aw, come on! tis' nothing!" Said the Mare, as she slammed her hoof on his back. The pain returned to Tin's back, for the thirth time in a row. "By the way, I kinda noticed that you're in need of a Crew. And my Capn's in the need of new crewmembers..." She said, observing Tin. "I-I... I guess that I'll jump in..." Said Tin, rubbing his back. "Ooh, nice!" Said the Mare, cracking a big smile. "My name's Bloodwing! What's yours?" Asked Bloodwing, tapping her chest, where a grey jacket leaving space for her wings to maneouver was on, and extending her hoof for a hoofshake. "Tin Compass..." He said, taking her hoof, and completing the hoofshake. "Nice to meet ya'! What's your speciality, so I can tell it to my capn'?" Asked Bloodwing, tilting her head. "Ah... Engineering, and cartography... I also do some Astronomy meanwhile." Said Tin, remembering the details like a robot. "Ooh... We need more engineers in our ship, that's for sure. I do the Gunnery in our crew, so I guess that you'll make sure that I can shoot nice and steady, hmm?" Said Bloodwing, with a certain tone of mockery (And flirt) in her voice and acts. "I-I guess..." Said Tin, rubbing his mane, understanding a bit of the double-sence. "Tssk! Can you sign him in our crew, since we're at this?" Said Bloodwing, turning towards the Stallion in the Hut, that limited himself to observe the strange situation. "E-Eh... Sure..." He said, erasing what he just wrote."What's the Captain's name?" He asked, moving to the files behind him. "Baron Von-Owl, of the Southern Fjorlands!" She said, with an extra tone of proudness, since she was working for him. "Uh-huh... Let me check... Baron... Baron..." He mumbled, checking among the files. At last, he took out a file, with the image of a Stallion wearing a cocked hat, and aviator goggles. "Ah, yes... Baron Von-Owl... Of the... Southerns... Fjorlanders... Here he is..." Mumbled the Stallion, taking the paper, and filling in the details, as any other bureaucrat would do. "...Are we done here?" Asked Bloodwing, in a hurry to bring Tin to her crew. "Yes, yes... You both can go now... I'll fill in everything else..." Replied the Stallion, as another set of crystals moved to his glasses, this time reducing the zoom he had. "Allrighty then! Come on, Tin!" Said Bloodwing, grabbing Tin's hoof, and pulling him along the Docks. Everypony outside that conversation thought that they were a couple in love, running among the docks like if nothing. And Tin noticed this. "I-I can walk, you know..." He said, among the blabbery from the Alcohol-poisoning. "I doubt that you can even stand..." She released his hoof. "But, can you fly?" Said Bloodwing, stopping a few steps away. "F-Fly?" Asked Tin, looking at Bloodwing's eyes. She unfolded her wings, and with one single movement, she was in the air, and in another quick movement, she swooped down to Tin, picking him up. With Tin on her hooves, she launched a giggle, and a smile. "Well well, seems that you can fly!" "Hey! Put me down!" Shouted Tin, suddently realizing that he only liked to fly on Airships. Bloodwing took Tin to a nearby Airship. A Galleon, to be more prescise. The Galleon was also known as The sideways Tank, due to the heavy cannons at both sides of the airship. It had to be lifted by three balloons, due to the heavy weight of both, the metallic hull and the guns themselves. It was slow, but strong. A direct hit from the heavy Flak cannnons this Galleon in particular had installed would pierce a ten centimeter hull, and cause horrible damages due to the splinters of the hole, and the shrapnel of the bullet itself. Bloodwing flew close to the embarcation platform. "For Blizzard's sake, Tin! You're heavy!" She said, mocking at Tin. "I'm not the one that decided to lift somepony else from safe ground!" Replied Tin, getting into a tighter hug with Bloodwing's hooves, mostly to prevent a freefall from the Docks. "Hey, wait untill the thirth date for physical contact!" She mocked even more, untill she landed in front of the Galleon. She looked down and under her belly, where Tin was still holding himself, a few milimeters from the hardwood floor. "...You can get off me anytime, Tin..." Tin opened his eyes, noticing that he was on safe lands again, and released his grip from Bloodwing, landing in the wooden floor with his back, for the thirth time today. Then, a voice raised from the direction of the Galleon. "Bloodwing! Who is this kid?!" Said an old Stallion's voice. Bloodwing looked up. "Ah, Baron! I mean, Cap'n! I got a new Crewmember for you, sir!" Said Bloodwing, making the same Navy salute Tin made back in the Tavern. "I see..." Replied the Voice. Tin looked to that direction, and managed to observe an old Stallion, with a black coat and grey mane, under a blue cocked hat, a white trenchcoat, and aviator goggles under the hat. "Well well well, what is the name of the Rookie?" Tin tried to regain control of his mouth, and speaking while laying in the ground, while having a hangover isn't easy. "...Tin Compass... Sir..." "...Welcome aboard the Changeling Charger, kiddo!" He said, gesturing to the blue-painted Galleon behind him. ...This is going to be interesting.
Tome 2 - Bucket"...So, Cartography, Engineering, and Astronomy. Anything else you can do for our ship, kid?" Asked Baron Von-Owl, looking down at Tin, that was still laying in the ground, facing the sky. "I-Er... I have some contacts here and there too..." He said, trying to hide the fact that he never touched the Helm by himself, or shooted an actual weapon on his whole life. Owl looked up at Bloodwing. "Well then, seems so. May I ask, from where do you actually come from?" He asked, his sight returning to Tin. "...From the industrial city of Fallow, Sir..." He said, remembering the -once upon a time Manehattan's- skyscrappers, that were turned into factories and homes after the chaotic disaster, simply known as The Rupture. "Ahh.. To the Dry East... The Mares in that zone are pretty to eye, yes..." He said, his eyes escaping reality, as he lost tracks of his actions, and started to drool on the thoughts of nice Flanks. "...Captain! Wake up! You're drooling... Again!" Said Bloodwing, taking Owl back to reality. "Ah!" He cleared the liquids from his mouth, and then looked back to Tin. "Well then, I guess that I should introduce you to the rest of the crew..." Tin nodded, as he got up from the ground. Owl signalled him to board the ship, as Bloodwing walked past him, heading inside. During that moment, Tin got the opportunity to see Bloodwing's flank, where a set of gears connected by wires were printed on. This made him think. If she's a gunner, why does she has gears as a Cutiemark? He looked at his own flank, where a compass was printed, as a permanent memory for him, when he had to find a way to escape the first attack on Fallow, from the side of Sky Pirates. He limited himself to clear his mind, and board the Galleon. And it wasn't nice to stare at a fellow Crewmember's butt. "...Mare and Gentle...Colt, we have a new member in our crew! Everypony, raise your hooves for Tin Compass!" Said Von-Owl, after Tin boarded. He saw a Mare in the ship, and a Colt. The Colt was a little earth Pony, with a green coat and a darker green for his mane. He wore nothing but aviator goggles on. "Welcome to Tartarus!" He said, with a wicked smile on his face. "...Thanks?" Replied Tin, raising an eyebrow. He thought that underaged Ponies couldn't ride Airships, but the last time he checked a Laws book, was around ten years ago. the Mare waved to Tin next. She was unusually tall, orange-ish Coat, a mane red as an apple, and eyes with the shine of the Sun. She wore a brown leather jacket, with a corset under it... For some reason. "Welcome to the Char--!" She attempted to say, right when she was interrupted by another Mare, that suddently popped out from behind her. She was a Pegasus, blue coat and magenta Mane. Her left eye was covered under a bandage that covered half her mane too. It looked recent, whatever that happened to her, and her other eye was yellow. She wore nothing aside from the bandage. "Ah, we have a newbie? Welcome aboard, then!" The Orange-Ish Mare looked up, to her recent interruption. "Hey, Cloud! I told you to not interrupt me twice today!" The Pegasus -named Cloud- landed next to her. "What'dya say, Pepper? You'll have to excuse my lack of audition, I was shot on the face yesterday!" "You wouldn't gotten yourself shot if-" She got interrupted again, as a thirth Mare popped from the Engines room, with a Wrench on her mouth. She was wearing large goggles covering her eyes -Wich were yellow-, that matched her white coat, and brown mane. She had metallic boots on her hooves, probably to protect them from the heat the Engines launched when working. She spitted the Wrench towards Cloud, hitting her right on the back of her head. "Last time you both discuss today, damnit! I'm tired of your constant blabbery!" She shouted, before turning over to Tin, finally noticing his existance. "Ah, hello! Welcome aboard... Whoever you are! My name's Rusty, to serve!" She added, making a slight bow, her mane dropping a considerable ammount of iron slag next. Tin looked to Owl, the one that was laughting his flank off at the situation. He seemed to enjoy watching three Mares almost kill eachother more than what he should. Tin then looked back to them. "....Thanks, miss... Rusty." He said next, eyeing Cloud, the one that was rubbing the back of her head, thanks to the recent impact, and glaring towards Rusty. Meanwhile, Bloodwing used the oportunity to lift Tin again. "Well, you know everypony already! Lemme put you straight where we'll need you!" "H-Hey! Put me down!" He said, before stopping his little struggle to get himself free. It was pretty much pointless, since Bloodwing was pretty fast in the matter of raising Ponies from the ground. Soon, he was dumped on the Helm. There was a table right behind it, with a crystal display, showing the map of the area; being that the giant rock Sylika was built on, and the surrounding territories; Nalm, at the north-West, former Vanhoover, now Sylika's commercial, and political rival, the Fallowlands, at the East, former Manehattan and Fillydelphia, the Anvala region at the South, former Appleloosa, the Fjorlands and the Firnfields at the North, former Crystal Empire, and the Crystal Mountains, respectively. The map it showed only reached the former Equestria, now divided in those little city-States. It was unkown what happened to the Gryphons, the Zebras, or the Saddle Arabians, as every communications with them broke, as the earth did. Bloodwing proceeded to drop Tin on safe floor, as Tin looked around, noticing the map. Bloodwing landed at his side, and gestured to the table. "Well, here's the map. The Baron knows how to use it, but he ends getting troubles with plotting courses and that. I think that there's when you enter." She adds, as Owl goes upstairs, towards the Helm, leaving the three Mares discussing -If not already hitting eachother- behind. "Well then, kid. You'll be up here with me pretty often. You also have the Balloon heater right... There." He adds, gesturing towards a bottle-shaped metal piece, attached to a pipe, that led to the Baloons over their heads. The piece had a balloon, printed in black, in contrast with the white-stained metal plates that were the piece directed to be the balloon's source of power, aside from the fact that highly-combustible Gas was being used to fill the Baloons with. Tin nods. "Got it. And... Uh, one little question..." He added next, rubbing his mane. "...Spit it up, kid." Replied Von-Owl. "I've got ears, and I plan of making a good use of them." "Where's-Uh... The Bathroom?" He asked next, smiling a little. The drinks from the night where already attempting to, well. Flow out. "...Heh. There's no fancy 'Bathroom' on this ship, kiddo. However, there's something that assembles one. Follow me, then." He added, gesturing Tin to follow him, while he walked downstairs. Bloodwing gave Tin a 'good luck' look. Tin proceeded to follow Von-Owl, as he lead him towards the Engines room. Owl opened the door, and gestured inside. "At the left, you'll see a Bucket. That's it." He simply stated, looking to Tin, the one that returned a concerned look. "You're saying that we...?" He asked next, looking into the Door. Owl simply nodded. "Yup. Once you're done, dump it off-deck, from the hole behind. Make sure it doesn't hit the Turbine though, or else you'll have to clean a real mess." He added next, with all the seriousness he could gather, wich wasn't much. Tin just stared at him, wondering if it was a joke, or not. "For... Real?" He asked next, raising an eyebrow. Owl nodded again. "For real. This ship was build with the Battle in mind, not mundane commodities. Like Bathrooms, tea-Storages, Showers..." He added, thinking of what the Changeling Charger lacked of. "...Does this ship at least has... I dunno, somewhere to sleep, or do we have to sleep in the main deck?" He asked, holding a bit. He really didn't wanted to do his needs on a bucket. "Well, we usually lock up the lower deck, and lay down a few beds. 'Less you're insane, like Cloud, that sleeps between the Balloons. Because you aren't, right?" He asked, looking at Tin with a bit of concern now. "I-No! I'm not insane! ...I think. B-But well... Uhm... I'll use the.. 'Bathroom' for now... Don't mind me..." He added next, looking into the room, and towards the Bucket. It was strangely clean, and even shining, waiting for Tin to use it, the way a Bucket shouldn't be used. "...Aight then. I'll let your privacy be. Lock the door if you're planning to use it for... 'Other' things. Te-hee." Added Owl, before closing the door, not giving Tin enough time to reply, and walking off towards the three Mares, that were now fighting eachother, and not verbally prescicely. However, he didn't looked like if stopping them, as he just sitted at a safe distance, and enjoyed the show. Meanwhile, the Colt, whose name was never told, sat near Owl, as they shared oppinions on who they would bet if a more serious fight broke out. Rusty was the one catching more attention, as she was the only smart one to use a Wrench as a tool, and not precisely to fix. ...This feels just like home.
Tome 3 - Fog...Aaah. This feels good. Thought a certain Pony, after completing the obligatory, fisiological needs, and of course, carefully getting rid of whatever was left about them. Though he was also impressed that the Bucket was still unusually clean after being... Used. Thus, placing the Bucket back in place, and after cleaning himelf, Tin happily trotted off, unlocked the door, and... Bam. His nose met a Wrench. Letting out a loud squeak of pure pain, Tin's head recoiled by the impact, his body soon following, falling on his back. His hooves, quickly moved to cover his snout, that was now stained with a tone of red, coming from the area that met the hard Steel of the Wrench. His hindlegs started wraggling out to 'flee' from the pain, but of course, it's hard to escape from pain located in the nose. "O-Oh! Sorry, Tin!" Said a certain Mare, wriggling out of the cartoonish cloud of conflict that broke between the three Mares. The voice, also came from Cloud, the one who seemed to have nicked the Wrench from Rusty, and of course, ended smacking an innocent Pony with it. Collateral damages, as one would usually say. "Are you okay? Need some ice? Bandages? A kiss to the snout to be A-OK?" Cloud muttered, taking a carefull step at the side of the wraggling Tin. After a few extra seconds of struggle, Tin slowly opened his deep Amber eyes, and rose his right hoof, stained with the red of his own blood. His pupil dilatated, as he moved the hoof back to his snout. "Hurts..." He simply muttered, closing both his eyes. That is, untill the loud stomp of a hoof he well-knew interrupted his childish attitude. "You'd better get up from the ground, kid. We don't have a slot for a Whimp in the Charger. Now get your flank up, and to position! We are setting course to the Fjorlands. We happen to have a lovely payload of Wool... And guess what the Fjords need?" Owl cheekidly said next, rubbing his hooves together in pure greed. Cloud proceeded to step aside, and then nudged Tin on the leg. "C'mon, I'll patch you up. If I covered my own eye without loosing it completely, then I can patch that pretty little nose of yours!" She said, offering a little reassuring smile. Meanwhile, the other two Mares had stopped figthing since Tin squeaked in pain, and now held an interesting posture, where Rusty's hoof was about to meet Pepper's snout, the one whose left Hindleg was about to hit Rusty, in a very... Private area. Even if she had no such parts. Thus, Tin slowly nodded, and sniffed. This wasn't the first time he's smelled his own blood. He's gotten into Bar brawls before (Though usually never left victorous), though this time, the scent of his own blood, without Alcohol, was... Strange. Very strange. Thus, after getting up -And stumbling to not faceplant, Tin proceeded to follow Cloud upstairs, to the Helm, and to the Map. Cloud pulled out a little Bandage, and as Tin sitted, his snout was covered with it in record-time. "Good as new!" Cloud so happily stated, proudly tapping her chest. "Do give me a call if you loose a limb!" She teased next, before ruffling Tin's mane, and taking flight to her post under the Ship, near the Guns. And, before Tin could say 'Thanks', Von-Owl just happened to step into the Helm, sparing a look to Tin. "Well, since you are our Carthographer, you are in charge of telling me, the cap'n, where to go. So! Plot the safest, quickest and most exciting course to the Fjorlands!" He said, waving to the unnamed Colt, to lift the Anchor. With a nod, the little one ran to the edge of the ship, and pressed a button. That's it. Tin, on the other hoof, placed himself near the Map, and after a very quick run via eyesight, he imagined three different routes they could take. One, was a suicide. The other would let them without food... And the last one, would take too long. "Well... I can suggest three routes, sir. We can go straight up north and face the Sky Pirates... Or we can circle via Nalm, and take a month to reach the Fjorlands... Or we can evade the Pirates via the the edge of the Firnfields, with no promise of having a stop to restock our food. Captain?" Tin asked, his sight raising to Baron. The one, who stared dumbfoundly at Tin. "Uh- We'll take the route straight! We have a Galleon, a few Pirates ain't taking my ship down! Har har!" He so proudly stated, wriggling his eyebrows, as his hoof met the Steering wheel, and with a rather violent turn, and a few hits to the speed regulator, the Changeling Charger was taking flight off-port. "Off we go! TO THE ADVENTURE!" Owl so happily shouted out, as everypony ran to their posts. Everypony but the Colt, and Tin. Mostly because Tin was already on his post, and the Colt, had nothing to do there, since the boarding platform was automatic, and the Galleon got the green light to leave the Pier. Thus, with the loud roar of all three heavy Engines sounding in unisone, the Galleon's Balloons receiving a good load of hot, highly-combustible gas, and the Steering Wheel making worringly cracking noises, the Charger was off to adventure. To complete the great quest, of delivering Wool to the cold North. Hurray! Three days. "It has been three days since we last saw... Anything, Captain. Are you sure that you took the correct route?" Tin asked, after having checked the Map. Trice. There wasn't anything he could use to pinpoint their location. All the clouds were exactly the same, and said clouds also blocked any sight from the Stars. At least they knew they were going North. The Sun still shined across the dense Fog that had formed the day prior. "Of course tis' the route, Tin! Why else would I navigate through it! I have an Eagle eye, you kno-" Von-Owl was about to harshly reply, untill the voice of the Colt, ringed through his ears. "TREE AHEAD! TUUURN!" Shouted the squeaky voice of the little one, as he bounced from the fore deck, to the Engine room. Blinking at this sudden realization, Von-Owl couldn't do much but to spin the Wheel the most his hooves left him, and attempt to hit the 'Shut down engines' command within his reach. But none of these things were enough to stop a huge ship, mid-air, as altough the Engines stopped, Aerodynamics and physics simply made the ship gently slide to a side, and have its entire left port harshly meet the sturdy Oak. Oak? In the middle of nowhere? Ooooh. After the impact, wich gladly didn't killed anypony, Tin proceeded to bounce towards the impacted area, as his eyes stared at the Tree they just mutilated. "Sir, I... Do believe we're in a forest-" "Of course we are in one, cap'n obvious!" Snapped out the pretty irritiated Owl. He didn't liked ramming his ship! It broke the paintjob! "...And that means we are above land." Continued Tin, walking back to the Map, as Rusty rushed out of the Engine room, and stared down at the large splinters of Wood on Metal. She grumbled loudly, and turned around, and said certain obscenities at Owl, questioning his capabilities to keep the Ship intact. But well, back to Tin. "And if we are above Land, it means we can find out where we are!" If Owl had fingers, he'd have flipped one to Rusty in return, but he had none. So, a simple tongue-stickup would do. But Tin had a point there. "Oh. Hey, maybe you're right, kiddo! For once. I mean! Yes, good idea! BLOODWING!" The Cap'n shouted at the top of his lungs, and in a matter of three seconds dot five, Bloodwing was already hovering above the Captain. "Yessire?" The oddly calm Mare said, offering him a little, childish salute. "I need ye' at ground-level. Bring Tin with, we must know where we just... Made another splinter on my ship. Tata!" Commanded Owl, gesturing to Tin. After a nod, and a grin, Bloodwing quickly swooped down for Tin -The one who panicked-, and picked him up. She was getting pretty skilled at that. "D-Don't drop me! Who knows how high we are above ground!" Tin suddently squealed, now clinching to Bloodwing like if it was the last time of his life. With a grin, she proceeded to fly off-board, and slowly approached the... Ground. If there was, as she only had the tall, tall Tree to guide her down. "Reeee-Laaax! I'm not going to drop you, silly thing! I wouldn't ever drop something as cute as yoooou~!" She teased, gently chuckling. That's what happens after three days straight without being able to do much, while having to sleep, uncomfortably close to somepony else. Thus, after Tin going oddly silent, and having his cheeks fluster three tones redder due to what he's been seeing, but being unable to touch, tease him once again. After a few seconds of carefull flight, Tin's hindlegs met grass. "Okay, we are at ground level, Bloodwing. Mind... Releasing me? I believe that we already have enough... Contact at night." He said, looking up, his nose suddently meeting one of her white, slightly curly hairs. He couldn't hold but to subtedly sniff that. It smelled like... Cinnamon. Oddly enough, considering where they slept, and all the Rust they had to face. "Awww, I was having fun tossing you around!" Bloodwing teased, her snout turning onto a little grin, as she spread both her Forehooves, thus releasing Tin from her evil grapple. Soon, she landed besides him, and spared a look to him, and the dense Fog surrounding them. "It's a bit cold and humid here. Where do you think we are?" She asked now, sliding her right hoof to toy with a nearby rock. A rock, that just happend to splur out Wings, and flew away. Damn rock-Bugs and their disguise. "Rockbugs... Dense Fog, Oak... I believe we are located... At least, two-Hundred Aerial miles West from the old Neighara Falls. Wich makes us be, possibly just a day or two away from our-" And as he was about to raise his hoof to gesture, almost with milimetric presition where the Falls where at, his mouth met a hoof. Bloodwing's hoof. "Shhhh! Do you hear that?" She asked, her tactician vein tingling there. Her ears perking at the fog surrounding them, the Mare felt silent, as Tin was forced onto silence too. Slowly, Bloodwing released his mouth, and soon rubbed that hoof onto his jacket. Ew. "It sounded like... A Flare gun." She whispered next, violently nudging Tin. "We must return the Charger!" But just before she could take hold of tin once again, the Charger was enveloped with two Beacons. Little orbs, that stop mid-air, and burst into a glorious green light, that mark Metal to be seen across fog, and dense clouds. A magical way to spot Airships hiding in clouds or dense Fog... Like the one currently enveloping the Charger. The question of 'who would use these?', quickly crossed through Tin's mind... Untill the realization struck him. The very next second, the roaring of engines could be heard. Two, triplets of engines to be more exact. Two Airships, coming from left and right of the Galleon. And only a very trained Engineer could tell what kind of Airship has that specific kind of Engines. And Tin, knew them. He's been onboard the only Airship that used such kind... And he was now scared. Scared of what would happen to the Galleon. The Ship in question, was usually mentioned as the Frontline Assaulter, due to its capability of resisting a lot of damage up front... And deal trice the ammount upon its enemies. The Pyramidion, a Ship, designed solely for the purpose of breaking havoc in the frontlines, charging head-first. Literally. Afterall, it had a ramming head equipped on the front, designed to pierce, both Hull and Balloons with deadly strenght. But that wasn't what had Tin worried. It was the fact that two Pyramidions, against one sole Galleon, meant an easy feast. One Pyramidion, in the hooves of a good Captain, could wipe up to three Ships by itself. Two, with coordination, could end very badly. A coordination, that was apparent, just by the sight of the Beacons telling where the Charger was. "B-Bloodwing! Pyramidions!" Tin suddently exclaimed, looking up onto the fog, only to see the shadow of a Triangle-Shaped Airship. And from that shadow, the sound of a Gatling gun, gently starting, was heard... Followed by the chain gunshots of rapid Greased rounds. Rounds, that dealt less damage, but shot twice as fast, thanks to the special Oil used to load and shoot them. Plus, the Oil made reloading them easier, thus assuring a constant, almost endless barrage of bullets onto one direction. And all of those bullets, were leaving dents upon the Galleon's hull. The Charger soon had to pump more Air onto the Balloons -It was too close to the surface to propperly fight. Having to leave two of its crewmembers in the ground was already bad -But worse was not being able to fight back. The Galleon soon slowly turned -Its heavy Flak cannons starting to take aim against the Gatling... untill another Gatling started to spin. Tin's ear didn't lied to him. Two Pyramidions, enveloping one single Galleon. Even Bloodwing could tell that this wasn't going to end well. With a squeal of worry, Bloodwing attempted to take flight -Only to be stopped by Tin. "No, don't!" He shouted, as both his hooves took hold of her tail, "You'll get harmed!" "B-But we have to help! Our Captain! Our ship!" She said, looking down to Tin, resisting the need to lay a kick upon his snout, to be able to take flight and board the flying Galleon... But it was already too late. Within a matter of seconds, the Galleon's magnetic Hull-Shield broke, letting out a loud 'Zap', thus letting the Pyramidions know when to switch to their second weapon. The gentle, yet notice-able sound of Mortar shells, being clicked out from the barrel of a Gun was heard -Followed by the whizzing of its drop. As Bloodwing's sight rose, barely being able to see due to the Fog, the loud blast of a Mortar shell, hitting the Hull of the Charger rang through the air, alongside the sight of the ship, lighting up in fire. Incediary Mortar rounds. Only Pirates, with the sole desire of destruction used such. And what kind of Pirates only wish destruction? The Sky Pirates of Graybeard "The great". They are known not for seeking treasure and loot, but for their darefull, highly-coordinated attacks just to bring down larger targets. Why they do such, is unknown for the world. But one thing is known. that the Charger, was burning. Shell after shell, the explosions and fire quickly spread across the entire hull. And soon... The charger, felt. The Fire made the Balloons explode, releasing the Gas inside into a massive blast of glorious fire and death; the metal that it was holding, falling down like a rock. Thankfully, it had moved away from Tin and Bloodwing, as the several tonnes of Steel, Scraps... And Wool, slammed hard onto the grassy land, with yet another explosion, due to the ammunition of Flak rounds stored within the guns, and the supply room. Horrorized by such a sight across Fog, Bloodwing stopped flapping her wings, and felt down onto the grass, just how the Charger did. Her eyes, watering quickly upon the loss of her job, her friends, and possibly even her home, the Mare quickly bursted into tears of sadness, pain... And anger. Finally releasing Bloodwing's tail, Tin backed off a bit, and stumbled back, his eyes, also equally horrorized by such a sight. He knew that the Pyramidions were strong ships... But this... Was too extreme. Even for him. He had no words for what just happened, as he simply sat there, even letting the Rockbug land on his muzzle. This... Was a very big loss.
