Legend of the Lochby not the real VAVChaptersLegend of StarbitsLegend of the DocksLegend of the TravelerLegend of the StatesLegend of StarbitsIverness seemed to be quiet today. Not much was going on in the small town. A few ponies walked about, chatting or shopping. One particular pony, a young Scottish lad, ate a delicious pastry with his coffee. This lad was Jessie Loch. The earth bound stallion had a rather calm, moody styled mane with several curls on the edges. His green eyes studied the newspaper sharply, searching for a unique header. When they didn’t find one, his lips formed into a frown as he sighed. No such luck. Jessie stood up from his chair and picked up his coffee. “How’s the hunt going Loch?” a cashier of the bakery asked. Jessie huffed and responded, “Not well. I haven’t found one report or sighting for weeks. Doesn’t anyone believe anymore?” The thought made Jessie feel desolate, like he’d been kicked in the chest. Believing was his life. And he needed people to believe in it as well. “Sorry Loch. I don’t think they do. Anyone say they’d take you out on the lake?” Java Bean asked. Jessie Loch shrugged. “I heard someone say something about it down at the docks. Ever heard of a fellow named Whirlpool Sturgeon?” He asked. Knowing who he’d be sailing with was always good. The cashier tapped his chin. “Hmm…sounds awfully familiar. Ah…ah…yes! Yeah, I’ve heard of him,” Jessie cocked his head, wanting to know more. “He’s a famous fishermen from some southern country. Caught a lot of fish. Some big, some small. But all of them…they’re killers.” “Killers?” Jessie asked, startled. “Yeah, lake killers, stream murderers, river monsters. You catch my float?” Java asked. “I’m pretty sure the saying is ‘you catch my drift’ but yeah, I get you.” “Good,” the brown stallion looked at the clock. “When do most of the boats leave the dock?” “Ten, why?” “It’s 9: 46.” Jessie jumped up and ran up to Java with a few bits. “Here! I gotta go.” And Loch was out the door. “Good luck!” Java Bean called out to the orange pony. Legend of the DocksJessie hurried down the cobble streets, his old-fashioned gray Polaroid bouncing against his chest. The leather straps were tight against his neck and it Jessie moved any faster, they would tighten and almost strangle the stallion. The clumsy earth pony tripped over a cobblestone brick, his orange face hit the ground with a painful SMACK! Jessie rose to his hooves slowly, feeling his snout which hurt like all- “Hey you okay?” His green eyes fluttered open to see a yellow-orange mare with a fiery mane. She was looking at Jessie curiously. She had rusty maroon eyes and her lips were tight, her eyes brows raised, looking rather confused. “Um…yeah.” He rubbed the back of his head. “I saw you crash into the ground. And-oh.” “What?” Jessie asked. Her amber hoof pointed to his chest. Green eyes followed, looking at his rather smashed camera. “Oh come on!” Jessie huffed as he picked up the remains of the Polaroid. “Mm…that’s a shame.” The Pegasus mare said. Jessie nodded, rather annoyed with his klutzy self. “Who are you?” he heard her ask. “Me? I’m Jessie Loch.” She smiled and reached a hoof out. “Name’s Solar Flare.” They shook. Her cutiemark was elaborate and large. It was a darker shade of gray, almost black, and ran from her flank and past her thigh. It ended just above her hoof. It had many curves and sharp edges and looked like an actual solar flare. Jessie found himself jealous of her amazing cutiemark. He glanced back at his. It was a black figure that looked like the famous photo of Nessie herself. “I’m an astronomer. You?” she asked him. Jessie looked back at her. “Um…I-I’m just trying to get proof of the monster of the Loch.” He gestured to the large body of water not too far from where they were chatting. She looked out and nodded. “Are you from Scotland? Live here?” “Yeah, born and raised. You?” She shook her head. “My coltfriend-,” she looked at a shop down the road where a red Pegasus was. “-Crimson Typhoon has a friend here he’d like to visit.” Crimson Typhoon…that name sounded familiar. “Hey? Is he a Wonderbolt?” Solar Flare chuckled. “Yeah, kind of, I guess. He’s-uh-he’s a rookie. Great flier but he’s new. They want to show him the ropes.” After a brief awkward silence, Jessie spoke. “Well I have to go. It was nice meeting you.” “Yeah, hope to see you around.” The two separated, the astronomer off after her coltfriend, the believer off to the docks. It smelled of fish. Yuck! Even after all the trips Jessie took out on boats, he had never grown accustomed to the scent of the sea. “You here for a trip Loch? Sorry, can’t take you.” A green unicorn said. “A net got caught up in my propeller and it jammed up the whole thing.” “That’s alright. Do you know where ‘Whirlpool Sturgeon’ is?” The unicorn looked surprised. He scoffed. “That piss-pot came around here asking for a trip out. But here’s thing. He said he wanted to go further out, closer to the ocean.” The green stallion rolled his eyes. “Said he wanted to catch a larger fish.” That statement aroused Jessie. Larger fish? Like the Loch Ness Monster? “Where did he go?” He pointed down the docks to a blue stallion with brown hair talking to a boat owner. The conversation seemed to be normal until the boat owner shook his head firmly. But the blue pony persisted. “Thanks.” Jessie trotted down the wooden dock and towards the pony. He could hear the conversation as he reared closer. “I ain’t takin’ you nowhere sonny! Get it through yer head!” “I am a trained specialist in fishing! This trip isn’t going to go wrong!” “Yes it indeed-doodle-lee-doo. Ain’t gonna matter if you know how to hold a fishin’ rod or not, the water is just too rough out there.” Jessie knew who the earth pony was talking to now. It was Iron Hull, one of the best captains in Scotland. He had taken a few trips with him before. He was one of the only ponies willing to take him near caves; most said it was too dangerous with the ragged rocks jutting out of the water. It seemed strange to hear him denying an excellent fisher access to his boat. “The forecast said there isn’t going to be a storm until tomorrow!” “And what if there is!? What to do when we’re stuck out there with no friggin’ food? I don’t got a radio system, boy!” “Well that is a mistake on your part!” Jessie’s eyes went wide. You didn’t say that to Iron Hull. The grey Pegasus was double the other pony’s size and he had the muscle to knock him out cold. He was usually quite the gentle giant but if you got him mad, he’d smack you upright. “What’cha say to me? Wanna say it again you toff?” Iron Hull shoved his gray snout again his blue, his red eyes glaring into the arguer’s blue eyes. He huffed, hot air blowing into their faces. “I’m no ‘toff’ you boludo.” “You using fancy language on me?” “Yo soy porque claramente no puede entenderme a mí. No tiene idea de lo que estoy diciendo.” Jessie stopped himself from cracking up. Iron Hull eyes were wide, his eyebrows rose. The lad was too confused to function. The blue earth pony merely chuckled and forced Iron Hull’s snout off his own. “Now if you would be so kind as to show me a fine gentlestallion who would be willing to take me out. Someone who preferably isn’t a putito.” Iron Hull frowned and pointed left towards a white mare with a short red mane. The earth pony smiled cockily and trotted off. “Wow.” was all Jessie said. The tough gray stallion growled and shot a glare at him before tying up his boat. The orange pony chased after the victorious blue stallion. “Hey! Hey wait up!” Jessie called to him. The stallion glanced back. “What?” “That was incredible. Not many ponies can stand up to an angry Iron Hull and live.” Jessie chuckled. The stallion didn’t laugh but he did smirk. “I have scars from things a lot more dangerous than that pendejo.” He was right; there were quite a few marks on him. One of his hoof and one his lower belly looked like teeth marks like the jaws of a beast had latched on to him. There were quite a few scraps: his legs, his sides, his neck, and one near his eye. And one was a small dot on his hind leg. Jessie realized he was staring. “That’s a hook mark.” Jessie looked up. “I was careful enough. After I released the fish, it flew back and hit my hind leg.” Jessie looked back to his face. He was done looking at the stallion’s scars. “Are you Whirlpool Sturgeon?” Whirlpool nodded. “I am.” “I was actually looking for you.” “Mm that’s tough. None of these so called ‘sailors’ is stallion enough to take me out. What is it for?” Whirlpool Sturgeon asked. “I want to prove the Loch Ness is real.” Legend of the TravelerWhirlpool smiled. “That’s funny. Sorry, I have things I need to attend to.” He turned around and started to leave. “Wait!” The blue stallion glanced back at Jessie. “What is it?” “I’m serious! I won’t be a bother, I swear! I-I’ll make sure to keep out of your way.” The orange pony walked up to Whirlpool Sturgeon, looking hopeful. He played on his puppy dog eyes and quivered his lip for extra effect. All the fisherpony did was raise his eyebrows. “I am heartless angler. That isn’t going to work on me.” Jessie frowned. “Come on! Please?” Whirlpool rolled his eyes. “Come along. We can talk while I get my well-deserved boat.” “Where are you from? I could tell you weren’t speaking English back there but-,” “I was speaking Spanish. I’m actually from Ireland. South in County Cork. But when I got my cutiemark in fishing, I knew there wasn’t enough there for me. So I left. Got on a boat to South America. I live in a part of Peru and take trips to the Amazon often. There are some real monsters there.” Jessie Loch kept up, wondering if he’d say anything about the monster he was after. “So…why are you here?” “I heard I can find tope.” Jessie nodded. “You can. But is that the only reason you’re here? For tope? Surely there are other types of sharks where you’ve visited.” Whirlpool nodded. “Yeah. Even caught a bull shark once. That bastard nearly tore out my arm.” The captain Iron Hull told them about was coming into view. “Nice cods here, too. And some stingrays. But yeah, that’s it.” The orange earthpony frowned, a bit disappointed. “If I do come…would you be interested in looking for the Loch Ness Monster?” Whirlpool Sturgeon chuckled. “Maybe. If I have time.” If I have time, Jessie though, annoyed. You make time for Nessie. “What’s the biggest thing you’ve caught?” he asked, quelling his anger. The stallion in front of him thought deeply as the sailor possibly willing to take the out came closer. “…that’s a tough one…I think it would be the Goliath Tigerfish. Or maybe the Beluga Sturgeon. I also hear I could possibly catch a Greenland Shark. That’d be nice. It’s been on my list for years.” The duo caught the attention of the mare. “And you are?” The white mare asked. “Whirlpool Sturgeon. Expert fisherpony. I travel the world-,” “Don’t care,” Whirlpool looked taken before grumbling and let her continue. “But if you need a trip out, I’ll take ya out.” Whirlpool smirked. “But it’ll cost ya.” He frowned. “How much?” he inquired. The mare grinned, happy to get a possible customer. “Twenty five bits for a short round. Fifty for a day. Ranges from one hundred to two fifty if ya want more.” A bag of bits, a large bag, hit the wooden planks with a loud SPLINK! Jessie’s eyes went wide. It was over flowing with bits. “Three hundred and forty four bits are in that bag,” he raised a navy blue hoof and pointed at the tan sack. “That enough for a week on the Loch? Including food?” The mare was clearly trying to play it cool but Jessie could see a glint of surprise in her periwinkle eyes. There may have been some very gracious, generous greed, too. “Alright. I’ll take ya out. Can I ask what you’re planning to catch?” she asked with her Scottish accent. She led them on the boat but began eyeing the orange colored follower suspiciously. Whirlpool paid no mind, glad he got a decent trip out. “Cods, flounders, but ones bigger than normally caught. And If I’m lucky,” he smirked and leaned close to her. “A Greenland Shark.” The mare rolled her eyes. “Unlikely but who am I to judge.” She held out her hoof. “Garnet Tide. Captain of the S.S. Uganda.” Whirlpool stifled a laugh but did raise an eyebrow. “Uganda?” Garnet lightly blushed before arguing, “The stallion who sold me it was from Africa and he had a thick accent and it was hard to understand. He either said ‘Uganda’ or ‘Ooh Panda’.” She ended with a mock accent. The angler chuckled. “So when are we-,” “Nettie! Wait! Don’t forget me!” Garnet Tide sighed and nodded at a frantic unicorn. He was a pure golden shade with gray eyes and a light blue mane. Even from his distance, Jessie could see his cutiemark was an eight point star. On the top, right, left, and bottom, in big letters, was: N, E, S, and W. The cardinal directions. “This is my navigator-,” Garnet gestured to the stallion entering the boat. He made a leap across the docks while feeling the ground nervously. Jessie thought this was rather odd. “Cardinal Atlas.” As Atlas came closer, the Scot and South American native’s eyes went big. Their navigator, the one who’d lead the boat. The one who’d give them directions. The one who’d keep them from getting lost at sea . . . was blind. Author's Note OOOH SHEET! Wuz gonna happen next? Legend of the States“Wait…your navigator is…is blind?” Jessie saw Atlas flinch, a bit hurt by Whirlpool’s harsh tone. “Yeah. You got a problem with that?” Garnet Tide crossed her hooves across her chest. “If ya do, ya can kindly show ya’selves off my boat.” Cardinal Atlas seemed touch by her defensive manner. “Well how is a blind navigator going to lead us? They don’t make maps in braille, sweet cheeks.” Garnet went a shade of red but Jessie couldn’t tell if it was from the embarrassment of being called ‘sweet cheeks’ or because of anger from hearing Whirlpool mock Atlas. As Whirlpool opened his mouth to make another retort, Atlas interrupted. “I know the water like you know your fish, Mister Sturgeon.” Jessie could see the angler’s shock. Garnet looked smugly at the rude fisherpony. “How do you know I fish?” he asked, genuinely surprised. Atlas chuckled. “I’m blind, Whirlpool, not slow.” Jessie smiled. The navigator looked at the orange earthpony and smiled widely. Jessie didn’t know if this unicorn was psychic or faking it or just special. How would he be able to tell the Loch Ness fanatic was grinning at him? “Fine. But if we die-,” Whirlpool placed a warning hoof on Cardinal’s chest. “-I’m kicking your flank in the After Life.” The gold unicorn kept his confident smirk and said, “I look forward to it.” He strode off to the center of the boat where a map was pinned to a wooden table. Jessie was amazed at how easily and bravely the blind pony led himself around the boat. Not once did he stop or hit anything. “Now listen to me, chica,” in the corner of Jessie’s eyes he saw Whirlpool point at Garnet Tide. “This lad makes a mucho grande mistake and I’m throwing him overboard.” He addressed the captain. Garnet Tide scoffed and walked away. “You shy?” Garnet asked as she passed Jessie. She gestured for the stallion to follow her. Jessie looked to Whirlpool, feeling like a foal who needed permission. The angler shrugged. “No. You are just new to me. I didn’t know how you’d react.” Garnet smiled. “Yer the fellow who’s lookin’ fer Nessie, right?” She asked with her thick Scottish accent. “I am. I figured if Whirlpool was a good enough fisherman he’d help. But I’m afraid my plan won’t work.” Garnet cocked her head. “He doesn’t believe.” The captain shook her head. “Ah. He a catholic? That’d be why.” Jessie shrugged. “I don’t think so. He said he was from Ireland but he moved to South America. I don’t think there are many Catholics where he’s from.” “True. You ever been out of Scotland?” Garnet asked curiously. The lad shook his head sadly. “Me neither.” Jessie looked at her with surprise. She chuckled at his expression. “May seem like a captain of the S. S. Uganda went to Africa. Nope. Other way around. The seller came here.” After brief silence, Jessie spoke. “I wonder what it’s like in the States.” Garnet smiled. “I heard those ponies basically live off of burgers and fries.” Jessie laughed. “You can’t forget about donuts.” “Or popcorn.” They were both laughing madly. They began to sing on the boat. " Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected now shines in the stream: 'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion, A home and a country should leave us no more! Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved home and the war's desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust." And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! " Jessie felt something smack him in the side of the head. While rubbing the injured side he looked left to find Whirlpool Sturgeon shaking his head disapprovingly. He was tempted to say, “Bugger off,” but he didn’t. Whirlpool was his only hope of proving Nessie was real. “Yes?” “The donut doesn’t want his crew talking with the likes of meh,” she gestured to herself. Jessie smiled but dropped it when Whirlpool scolded both of them. In the corner of his eye, Jessie saw Garnet stick out her tongue and walk away. “Why don’t you two like each other? You seemed just fine moments ago.” “I only acted fair-,” “Somewhat decent!” she interjected. The statement caused Whirlpool to quietly scoff and roll his eyes. “-because I needed her to take me out. Nina over here – she’s a bit of a la molestia.” Jessie’s eyes went wide as he sputtered, “S-sorry s-she’s a WHAT?!” Whirlpool rolled his eyes and sighed. “Calm down chico monstruo,” he chuckled. “It only means an annoyance.” Jessie calmed down and smiled. “That’s makes more sense.” Author's Note "Meh" is not supposed to be me. It's how she says it with her accent. And I did look it up on several sites - la molestia means an annoyance despite having is sound like a very popular version of dear Princess CELESTIA.
Legend of StarbitsIverness seemed to be quiet today. Not much was going on in the small town. A few ponies walked about, chatting or shopping. One particular pony, a young Scottish lad, ate a delicious pastry with his coffee. This lad was Jessie Loch. The earth bound stallion had a rather calm, moody styled mane with several curls on the edges. His green eyes studied the newspaper sharply, searching for a unique header. When they didn’t find one, his lips formed into a frown as he sighed. No such luck. Jessie stood up from his chair and picked up his coffee. “How’s the hunt going Loch?” a cashier of the bakery asked. Jessie huffed and responded, “Not well. I haven’t found one report or sighting for weeks. Doesn’t anyone believe anymore?” The thought made Jessie feel desolate, like he’d been kicked in the chest. Believing was his life. And he needed people to believe in it as well. “Sorry Loch. I don’t think they do. Anyone say they’d take you out on the lake?” Java Bean asked. Jessie Loch shrugged. “I heard someone say something about it down at the docks. Ever heard of a fellow named Whirlpool Sturgeon?” He asked. Knowing who he’d be sailing with was always good. The cashier tapped his chin. “Hmm…sounds awfully familiar. Ah…ah…yes! Yeah, I’ve heard of him,” Jessie cocked his head, wanting to know more. “He’s a famous fishermen from some southern country. Caught a lot of fish. Some big, some small. But all of them…they’re killers.” “Killers?” Jessie asked, startled. “Yeah, lake killers, stream murderers, river monsters. You catch my float?” Java asked. “I’m pretty sure the saying is ‘you catch my drift’ but yeah, I get you.” “Good,” the brown stallion looked at the clock. “When do most of the boats leave the dock?” “Ten, why?” “It’s 9: 46.” Jessie jumped up and ran up to Java with a few bits. “Here! I gotta go.” And Loch was out the door. “Good luck!” Java Bean called out to the orange pony.
Legend of the DocksJessie hurried down the cobble streets, his old-fashioned gray Polaroid bouncing against his chest. The leather straps were tight against his neck and it Jessie moved any faster, they would tighten and almost strangle the stallion. The clumsy earth pony tripped over a cobblestone brick, his orange face hit the ground with a painful SMACK! Jessie rose to his hooves slowly, feeling his snout which hurt like all- “Hey you okay?” His green eyes fluttered open to see a yellow-orange mare with a fiery mane. She was looking at Jessie curiously. She had rusty maroon eyes and her lips were tight, her eyes brows raised, looking rather confused. “Um…yeah.” He rubbed the back of his head. “I saw you crash into the ground. And-oh.” “What?” Jessie asked. Her amber hoof pointed to his chest. Green eyes followed, looking at his rather smashed camera. “Oh come on!” Jessie huffed as he picked up the remains of the Polaroid. “Mm…that’s a shame.” The Pegasus mare said. Jessie nodded, rather annoyed with his klutzy self. “Who are you?” he heard her ask. “Me? I’m Jessie Loch.” She smiled and reached a hoof out. “Name’s Solar Flare.” They shook. Her cutiemark was elaborate and large. It was a darker shade of gray, almost black, and ran from her flank and past her thigh. It ended just above her hoof. It had many curves and sharp edges and looked like an actual solar flare. Jessie found himself jealous of her amazing cutiemark. He glanced back at his. It was a black figure that looked like the famous photo of Nessie herself. “I’m an astronomer. You?” she asked him. Jessie looked back at her. “Um…I-I’m just trying to get proof of the monster of the Loch.” He gestured to the large body of water not too far from where they were chatting. She looked out and nodded. “Are you from Scotland? Live here?” “Yeah, born and raised. You?” She shook her head. “My coltfriend-,” she looked at a shop down the road where a red Pegasus was. “-Crimson Typhoon has a friend here he’d like to visit.” Crimson Typhoon…that name sounded familiar. “Hey? Is he a Wonderbolt?” Solar Flare chuckled. “Yeah, kind of, I guess. He’s-uh-he’s a rookie. Great flier but he’s new. They want to show him the ropes.” After a brief awkward silence, Jessie spoke. “Well I have to go. It was nice meeting you.” “Yeah, hope to see you around.” The two separated, the astronomer off after her coltfriend, the believer off to the docks. It smelled of fish. Yuck! Even after all the trips Jessie took out on boats, he had never grown accustomed to the scent of the sea. “You here for a trip Loch? Sorry, can’t take you.” A green unicorn said. “A net got caught up in my propeller and it jammed up the whole thing.” “That’s alright. Do you know where ‘Whirlpool Sturgeon’ is?” The unicorn looked surprised. He scoffed. “That piss-pot came around here asking for a trip out. But here’s thing. He said he wanted to go further out, closer to the ocean.” The green stallion rolled his eyes. “Said he wanted to catch a larger fish.” That statement aroused Jessie. Larger fish? Like the Loch Ness Monster? “Where did he go?” He pointed down the docks to a blue stallion with brown hair talking to a boat owner. The conversation seemed to be normal until the boat owner shook his head firmly. But the blue pony persisted. “Thanks.” Jessie trotted down the wooden dock and towards the pony. He could hear the conversation as he reared closer. “I ain’t takin’ you nowhere sonny! Get it through yer head!” “I am a trained specialist in fishing! This trip isn’t going to go wrong!” “Yes it indeed-doodle-lee-doo. Ain’t gonna matter if you know how to hold a fishin’ rod or not, the water is just too rough out there.” Jessie knew who the earth pony was talking to now. It was Iron Hull, one of the best captains in Scotland. He had taken a few trips with him before. He was one of the only ponies willing to take him near caves; most said it was too dangerous with the ragged rocks jutting out of the water. It seemed strange to hear him denying an excellent fisher access to his boat. “The forecast said there isn’t going to be a storm until tomorrow!” “And what if there is!? What to do when we’re stuck out there with no friggin’ food? I don’t got a radio system, boy!” “Well that is a mistake on your part!” Jessie’s eyes went wide. You didn’t say that to Iron Hull. The grey Pegasus was double the other pony’s size and he had the muscle to knock him out cold. He was usually quite the gentle giant but if you got him mad, he’d smack you upright. “What’cha say to me? Wanna say it again you toff?” Iron Hull shoved his gray snout again his blue, his red eyes glaring into the arguer’s blue eyes. He huffed, hot air blowing into their faces. “I’m no ‘toff’ you boludo.” “You using fancy language on me?” “Yo soy porque claramente no puede entenderme a mí. No tiene idea de lo que estoy diciendo.” Jessie stopped himself from cracking up. Iron Hull eyes were wide, his eyebrows rose. The lad was too confused to function. The blue earth pony merely chuckled and forced Iron Hull’s snout off his own. “Now if you would be so kind as to show me a fine gentlestallion who would be willing to take me out. Someone who preferably isn’t a putito.” Iron Hull frowned and pointed left towards a white mare with a short red mane. The earth pony smiled cockily and trotted off. “Wow.” was all Jessie said. The tough gray stallion growled and shot a glare at him before tying up his boat. The orange pony chased after the victorious blue stallion. “Hey! Hey wait up!” Jessie called to him. The stallion glanced back. “What?” “That was incredible. Not many ponies can stand up to an angry Iron Hull and live.” Jessie chuckled. The stallion didn’t laugh but he did smirk. “I have scars from things a lot more dangerous than that pendejo.” He was right; there were quite a few marks on him. One of his hoof and one his lower belly looked like teeth marks like the jaws of a beast had latched on to him. There were quite a few scraps: his legs, his sides, his neck, and one near his eye. And one was a small dot on his hind leg. Jessie realized he was staring. “That’s a hook mark.” Jessie looked up. “I was careful enough. After I released the fish, it flew back and hit my hind leg.” Jessie looked back to his face. He was done looking at the stallion’s scars. “Are you Whirlpool Sturgeon?” Whirlpool nodded. “I am.” “I was actually looking for you.” “Mm that’s tough. None of these so called ‘sailors’ is stallion enough to take me out. What is it for?” Whirlpool Sturgeon asked. “I want to prove the Loch Ness is real.”
Legend of the TravelerWhirlpool smiled. “That’s funny. Sorry, I have things I need to attend to.” He turned around and started to leave. “Wait!” The blue stallion glanced back at Jessie. “What is it?” “I’m serious! I won’t be a bother, I swear! I-I’ll make sure to keep out of your way.” The orange pony walked up to Whirlpool Sturgeon, looking hopeful. He played on his puppy dog eyes and quivered his lip for extra effect. All the fisherpony did was raise his eyebrows. “I am heartless angler. That isn’t going to work on me.” Jessie frowned. “Come on! Please?” Whirlpool rolled his eyes. “Come along. We can talk while I get my well-deserved boat.” “Where are you from? I could tell you weren’t speaking English back there but-,” “I was speaking Spanish. I’m actually from Ireland. South in County Cork. But when I got my cutiemark in fishing, I knew there wasn’t enough there for me. So I left. Got on a boat to South America. I live in a part of Peru and take trips to the Amazon often. There are some real monsters there.” Jessie Loch kept up, wondering if he’d say anything about the monster he was after. “So…why are you here?” “I heard I can find tope.” Jessie nodded. “You can. But is that the only reason you’re here? For tope? Surely there are other types of sharks where you’ve visited.” Whirlpool nodded. “Yeah. Even caught a bull shark once. That bastard nearly tore out my arm.” The captain Iron Hull told them about was coming into view. “Nice cods here, too. And some stingrays. But yeah, that’s it.” The orange earthpony frowned, a bit disappointed. “If I do come…would you be interested in looking for the Loch Ness Monster?” Whirlpool Sturgeon chuckled. “Maybe. If I have time.” If I have time, Jessie though, annoyed. You make time for Nessie. “What’s the biggest thing you’ve caught?” he asked, quelling his anger. The stallion in front of him thought deeply as the sailor possibly willing to take the out came closer. “…that’s a tough one…I think it would be the Goliath Tigerfish. Or maybe the Beluga Sturgeon. I also hear I could possibly catch a Greenland Shark. That’d be nice. It’s been on my list for years.” The duo caught the attention of the mare. “And you are?” The white mare asked. “Whirlpool Sturgeon. Expert fisherpony. I travel the world-,” “Don’t care,” Whirlpool looked taken before grumbling and let her continue. “But if you need a trip out, I’ll take ya out.” Whirlpool smirked. “But it’ll cost ya.” He frowned. “How much?” he inquired. The mare grinned, happy to get a possible customer. “Twenty five bits for a short round. Fifty for a day. Ranges from one hundred to two fifty if ya want more.” A bag of bits, a large bag, hit the wooden planks with a loud SPLINK! Jessie’s eyes went wide. It was over flowing with bits. “Three hundred and forty four bits are in that bag,” he raised a navy blue hoof and pointed at the tan sack. “That enough for a week on the Loch? Including food?” The mare was clearly trying to play it cool but Jessie could see a glint of surprise in her periwinkle eyes. There may have been some very gracious, generous greed, too. “Alright. I’ll take ya out. Can I ask what you’re planning to catch?” she asked with her Scottish accent. She led them on the boat but began eyeing the orange colored follower suspiciously. Whirlpool paid no mind, glad he got a decent trip out. “Cods, flounders, but ones bigger than normally caught. And If I’m lucky,” he smirked and leaned close to her. “A Greenland Shark.” The mare rolled her eyes. “Unlikely but who am I to judge.” She held out her hoof. “Garnet Tide. Captain of the S.S. Uganda.” Whirlpool stifled a laugh but did raise an eyebrow. “Uganda?” Garnet lightly blushed before arguing, “The stallion who sold me it was from Africa and he had a thick accent and it was hard to understand. He either said ‘Uganda’ or ‘Ooh Panda’.” She ended with a mock accent. The angler chuckled. “So when are we-,” “Nettie! Wait! Don’t forget me!” Garnet Tide sighed and nodded at a frantic unicorn. He was a pure golden shade with gray eyes and a light blue mane. Even from his distance, Jessie could see his cutiemark was an eight point star. On the top, right, left, and bottom, in big letters, was: N, E, S, and W. The cardinal directions. “This is my navigator-,” Garnet gestured to the stallion entering the boat. He made a leap across the docks while feeling the ground nervously. Jessie thought this was rather odd. “Cardinal Atlas.” As Atlas came closer, the Scot and South American native’s eyes went big. Their navigator, the one who’d lead the boat. The one who’d give them directions. The one who’d keep them from getting lost at sea . . . was blind. Author's Note OOOH SHEET! Wuz gonna happen next?
Legend of the States“Wait…your navigator is…is blind?” Jessie saw Atlas flinch, a bit hurt by Whirlpool’s harsh tone. “Yeah. You got a problem with that?” Garnet Tide crossed her hooves across her chest. “If ya do, ya can kindly show ya’selves off my boat.” Cardinal Atlas seemed touch by her defensive manner. “Well how is a blind navigator going to lead us? They don’t make maps in braille, sweet cheeks.” Garnet went a shade of red but Jessie couldn’t tell if it was from the embarrassment of being called ‘sweet cheeks’ or because of anger from hearing Whirlpool mock Atlas. As Whirlpool opened his mouth to make another retort, Atlas interrupted. “I know the water like you know your fish, Mister Sturgeon.” Jessie could see the angler’s shock. Garnet looked smugly at the rude fisherpony. “How do you know I fish?” he asked, genuinely surprised. Atlas chuckled. “I’m blind, Whirlpool, not slow.” Jessie smiled. The navigator looked at the orange earthpony and smiled widely. Jessie didn’t know if this unicorn was psychic or faking it or just special. How would he be able to tell the Loch Ness fanatic was grinning at him? “Fine. But if we die-,” Whirlpool placed a warning hoof on Cardinal’s chest. “-I’m kicking your flank in the After Life.” The gold unicorn kept his confident smirk and said, “I look forward to it.” He strode off to the center of the boat where a map was pinned to a wooden table. Jessie was amazed at how easily and bravely the blind pony led himself around the boat. Not once did he stop or hit anything. “Now listen to me, chica,” in the corner of Jessie’s eyes he saw Whirlpool point at Garnet Tide. “This lad makes a mucho grande mistake and I’m throwing him overboard.” He addressed the captain. Garnet Tide scoffed and walked away. “You shy?” Garnet asked as she passed Jessie. She gestured for the stallion to follow her. Jessie looked to Whirlpool, feeling like a foal who needed permission. The angler shrugged. “No. You are just new to me. I didn’t know how you’d react.” Garnet smiled. “Yer the fellow who’s lookin’ fer Nessie, right?” She asked with her thick Scottish accent. “I am. I figured if Whirlpool was a good enough fisherman he’d help. But I’m afraid my plan won’t work.” Garnet cocked her head. “He doesn’t believe.” The captain shook her head. “Ah. He a catholic? That’d be why.” Jessie shrugged. “I don’t think so. He said he was from Ireland but he moved to South America. I don’t think there are many Catholics where he’s from.” “True. You ever been out of Scotland?” Garnet asked curiously. The lad shook his head sadly. “Me neither.” Jessie looked at her with surprise. She chuckled at his expression. “May seem like a captain of the S. S. Uganda went to Africa. Nope. Other way around. The seller came here.” After brief silence, Jessie spoke. “I wonder what it’s like in the States.” Garnet smiled. “I heard those ponies basically live off of burgers and fries.” Jessie laughed. “You can’t forget about donuts.” “Or popcorn.” They were both laughing madly. They began to sing on the boat. " Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected now shines in the stream: 'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion, A home and a country should leave us no more! Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved home and the war's desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust." And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! " Jessie felt something smack him in the side of the head. While rubbing the injured side he looked left to find Whirlpool Sturgeon shaking his head disapprovingly. He was tempted to say, “Bugger off,” but he didn’t. Whirlpool was his only hope of proving Nessie was real. “Yes?” “The donut doesn’t want his crew talking with the likes of meh,” she gestured to herself. Jessie smiled but dropped it when Whirlpool scolded both of them. In the corner of his eye, Jessie saw Garnet stick out her tongue and walk away. “Why don’t you two like each other? You seemed just fine moments ago.” “I only acted fair-,” “Somewhat decent!” she interjected. The statement caused Whirlpool to quietly scoff and roll his eyes. “-because I needed her to take me out. Nina over here – she’s a bit of a la molestia.” Jessie’s eyes went wide as he sputtered, “S-sorry s-she’s a WHAT?!” Whirlpool rolled his eyes and sighed. “Calm down chico monstruo,” he chuckled. “It only means an annoyance.” Jessie calmed down and smiled. “That’s makes more sense.” Author's Note "Meh" is not supposed to be me. It's how she says it with her accent. And I did look it up on several sites - la molestia means an annoyance despite having is sound like a very popular version of dear Princess CELESTIA.
