Twisted Nightmares: Voyage of the unknown

Equestria

Destination: Unknown

2035: human year

15:00 hours by UN Selena's clocks

Docked at unknown harbour. Party hosted aboard UN Selena.

Marcus was sitting on the walkway near the stern of his ship looking out to sea. He admired the smell of the ocean, but something didn't feel right about this entire ordeal. Why would these equines attack humanity and then ask for help with something they can't attack? It didn't make any sense and he didn't whether he should help or kill them for the crime they committed against his kind. He sighed and allowed time to slowly tick to 19:00. But his time being was interrupted by hoof steps.

"Why are you here and not aboard your ship?" A female voice said. Marcus focused on how she spoke.

"Why don't you want me to sit on the walkway? Because I can always walk onto my ship. In fact I don't have to throw a party. But do you why I'm throwing it? It's to allow my men to unwind and relax from the demanding job, and now it's to socialise. By the way I know it's you Luna." Marcus said getting a surprised gasp in response. "How did I know it was you? Well for a start your hoof-steps are heavier then that of a normal Pegasus or a normal pony."

"Now I'm surprised that you can recognise a pony by their hoof step." Luna said stepping a bit closer but stopped when Marcus got up.

"No I'm the one that is surprised with you. For a starter, I killed a few of your guards and you as well as your sister just watched. What ruler does that? I hate your kind for what you've done to mine. Yet, I haven't even attempted to destroy this city. But why aren't you doing anything! I've pulled a weapon to your sister and you've had your chance to arrest me. You could've used your magic, after all I was on your territory. But why? Why didn't you?" Marcus shouted he went to hit Luna but stopped just mere centimetres. Luna did have her ears pinned back ready to feel the hit. But then she saw the hint of fear in Marcus's eyes. It was a small flicker but she noticed it.

"Because your heart knows you can't take an innocent life. Deep down Marcus, I know you only acted on instinct. You were threatened so you reacted. I also know your scared. You may not admit it, but you are my world and you fear the unknown. Like I, when I was aboard your ship. It was new to me and I was standing in front of the very being I indirectly harmed. I couldn't use my magic and I was scared I'll never see my subjects, but you haven't killed me or my sister." Luna said sitting down as Marcus lowered his arm. "I'm thankful that you haven't yet. But deep down you know, you need a better reason to begin killing."

They both where put off by the sound of galloping and by the sound of it, Marcus could tell it was Celestia. He was right. He watched her slide to a halt while magically pulling a sword out of thin air, which was pointed at his throat.

"There's a Princess I would of rather faced, then that quivering mess you were on my ship. As I said to your dear sister, I'm in your territory, so go ahead strike me down." Marcus said looking deep into Celestia's eyes. "I know you want to, just do it."

"Wait sister don't! He didn't do anything to me. We just talking." Luna said coming to Marcus's aid although clearly he didn't need it.

"You going to listen to your sister? Or you just send us back and forget about why you even want us in the first place. Because clearly you hate me and I despise your kind for what they done to humanity, even you two played a part indirectly." Marcus said. Celestia sighed and lowered her weapon.

"Actually your wrong. My sister and I didn't give the order for war. Some else with enough power did." She said.

"If you didn't then how didn't you notice the warships, and how come you were begging me not to shoot them down?" Marcus said feeling like he found a flaw.

"Because they still were my ponies you killed." Celestia said.

"As a matter of fact. I gave the order to shoot. My ship is the one that blew them up. Alright enough of squawking. I'll believe you for now. But we need to find who gave the order. This has to be between us three alone. I won't even notify my crew. So I expect that you'll keep it to yourselves." Marcus said. Celestia nodded as she put the sword back into thin air.

"So you are ok with me being around now?" She asked offering her hoof for a shake. Marcus shook it.

"Yes, but still doesn't drop the fact, I will avenge my daughter." He said. "But answer me this. You two are the most powerful rulers yes? But you especially Celestia, why haven't you took me down?

"Please no more killing on your first day and night here. We will find who started the war on humanity and punish them accordingly, but please in till then no more killing." She said trying to strike something with Marcus. "I don't want to bring harm to you."

"You don't have to. I'll understand If you put me behind bars. Because at the end of the day, your doing what is I expected of a Princess. What me and you do as a job are remarkable similar. I'm the captain of this proud warship, and it's my job to make sure the crew are doing that they are meant to be doing, and to make sure my ship is in perfect conditions. Yes it's small scale compared your jobs." Marcus said. "Look I will admit this is nice place, but how. Every single of of your subjects respect you, and not one has rebelled."

"It's because she is a kind, motherly figure to her subjects, comrade. A role model to them. She uses the Benevolent Dictatorship. They don't rebel because they don't even try to. They adore them." Aleksey said as he joined the conversation, completely unaware of the small bargain they just did. "I see they've changed you slightly. Your are not so hell bent on killing civilians. I guess that's a start. I warn you then Princesses, he can quite stubborn at times." He began to walk off before any of them could speak. Leaving Celestia and Luna confused.

"So that's why no one has rebelled. Your nice to them. But who was the one that gave the order to attack?" Marcus asked beginning to pace back and forth. "It'll come to light soon, as for now I need to be ready for the party. After all it's aboard my ship, and I can't be wearing this." With it said he waved them good-bye as he walked up the plank back to his ship.

"Despite us starting out horribly, I like him. His unpredictable. I like that." Luna stated out of the blue. It was when she got a look off Celestia. "What?"

"Like him in what way?" Celestia asked.

"A friend way of course. But he confuses me. Haven't you noticed how his mood changes with a set circumstance? I can't just blame his training can I? No, I can't. Too many factors can alter someone's mood at any given time. Magic perhaps?" Luna said getting slightly worked up of what is the cause of his mood swings.

"I would be the same if I lost my family to war. As Marcus puts it. The killer watched him give his daughter mercy. That alone would be enough to send me into a rampage. I won't pretend what Marcus feels, but I understand his pain. Living for a 1,000 years doesn't put me at ease. But it's you. He changes mood because of you, your the reason." Celestia said watching Marcus disappear into area where they walked out of several hours ago. She waved and to her surprise she got one back.

"Me? But what do I do to him that somehow alters his emotions?" Luna asked getting confused.

"Not you directly. But remind him of his daughter. From what I heard from Aleksey. Marcus's daughter had your eyes. So to him it feels like he his about to hit his own daughter. Something he never has had to do. He is a good father, I will admit that." Celestia said. "Go a talk to him about it. I'm sure he will talk to you."

Luna looked at the ship, then back at her sister. With a nod she began to walk up the plank and was about to walk into the section where she came out of several hours, but two of Marcus's special forces men spotted her. From a rough estimate one was Russian and the other, she couldn't tell whether he was American or British.

"Where are you off to ma'am?" Said the Russian one.

"I'm here to see Marcus. I need to talk to him." Luna said, she though that they were going to keep the door shut, but to her surprise they opened it. Efficiently and without asking questions. "I like you both already. Unlike our guards you don't ask questions."

"It's not our job to ma'am. We weren't even guarding it. Besides your old enough to look after yourself, plus I bet it's annoying having guards following you around all the time." They said unison once the door was open. "Farewell ma'am we will see you at the party yes?" Luna gave them a nod, before she entered the door. It was closed once she was fully inside.

* * *

Luna began to feel like she has been walking in circles. Everywhere in this ship looks similar and it confused her.

"What are doing down this far ma'am?" Said a voice from behind, she turned around to notice it was another sailor. "Your lost aren't you ma'am?" Luna nodded. The sailor gestured for her to follow.

"I'm looking for Marcus. Can you please help me." Luna asked. The sailor nodded and began to lead her in the right direction. "May I ask, why does everything look the same?"

"It's trickery ma'am. It's because your new to the ship and haven't learned to navigate her hallways. Marcus did his best at organising this ship, I'd say he has done a smashing job. Yeah as I said. You new to the ship, so navigating will be difficult." The sailor said while he gave the tour on the quickest route to where Marcus is. "By the way. Nice to someone who can change Marcus. Believe it or not. But Marcus wasn't always like he is know. He was still the most feared Captain, but he never killed civilians or unarmed soldiers. That all changed when one of your warships wounded his daughter badly, then had the guts to watch him put her out of her pain. Something inside him snapped. He kill anything that stands in his way. That is in till you arrived."

"My sister has already told me. I have Marcus's daughter's eyes. That's why he won't harm me." Luna said immediately knowing where this was going.

"Yes that is true. I watched the little incident that happened a few minutes ago now. He was going to hit you but stopped at your cheek. I advise that you be careful around him because eventually you'll remind him of what he has lost. Oh lucky that were here. Just before you go though. You've set him a challenge to not to kill for a full day right? Good that's a first step. Let's hope this party goes to plan. Goodbye ma'am" the sailor said. He gave Luna a salute before he walked off. Luna looked at the door which read 'Captain's private quarters' she attempted to hear what was inside, but couldn't. She opened the door and was attacked by water vapour as it escaped from the room. She stepped in.

* * *

"Marcus are you in here?" She called as she admired the decorative wallpaper that plastered the dull grey hull of the ship. A creak threw her attention to another door that looked exactly like the door she just walked through but steam was coming out of this one with the sound of running water. 'Seriously what is with these doors? They all look the exact same'. She just pushed this one and it opened. She was greeted with the smell of various scents, it sent her to paradise. That moment didn't last long. Because the sound of running water stopped and she was snapped out of paradise, then realised she was in Marcus's shower room. She frantically looked around for his towel so she could telekinesis it in front of him, but then realise her magic doesn't work on his ship. All she could down was close her eyes. Two wet footsteps was heard.

"Oh, I didn't I had fans that liked to watch me shower." Marcus said clearly being sarcastic. He just stood there un fazed that Luna was standing there. Eyes closed and ears back. But she accidentally opened her eyes and immediately looked at his chest.

"I think I've just found why humans wear clothes." Luna said blushing deeply. Her dark blue fur around her cheeks went crimson from embarrassment. She only heard Marcus chuckle and kept her gaze on his chest. "Could you put something on? I think a towel would be suitable."

"Why what seems to be the issue, you have walked in my room. Besides my towel is all the way in my room. Oh look at that it's just outside this door. Come on." Marcus said as he began to walk off. He started to wrap the towel around the lower half of his body. "You seem tense, come sit down or you can have a shower." Luna shook her head.

"No I didn't come here to use your facilities. I want to know why you can't seem to bring harm to him. I have too many theories reloading around in my mind, but I know that's wrong to assume, so I came to ask you why." Luna said being straight forward. She looked at Marcus and saw he was taking it well so far.

"I guessing you heard the rumours? I assure you they are all true. You do indeed have my daughters eyes. So to me, it feels like lif I harm you I'm harming my daughter. I'm not kind of father. Now you see why. Your sister is probably right. Maybe it's time I let her go and accept she's gone." Marcus said trying to find some relaxing lotion.

"We don't want to you to forget her, we just don't want you bringing harm to our subjects. But I'm terribly sorry for this whole misunderstanding, me and sister didn't start this war between us. I assure you though Marcus. We will help you find who the traitor is among our mist. Enough of this. I got my answer so let's not dwell on it." Luna said watching Marcus. "What are you looking for?"

"Lotion. You know the stuff that smells nice and relaxes your muscles. Oh, I found it." Marcus said pulling a bottle of purple liquid. Half the bottle was empty, but it was still enough. "This is the stuff. If you fall asleep while someone applies this onto your aching joints I wouldn't blame you." Luna eyed the bottle.

"Does it actually work?" She asked. Marcus chuckled before tapping his bed. "What? No, no I couldn't impose."

"Your not, I'm offering you a chance to learn new culture. It's probably similar to your spars if you have any." Marcus said. Luna sighed and got onto the bed.

"Fine just make this quick, it's nearly time for the party that your hosting." She said while she got comfortable. "Whereabouts are you doing this massage?"

"Wherever your most tense. Which area feels like it isn't moving as efficiently as it should?" Marcus asked. Luna moved each part of her body or see which area didn't move as fast as should, she found out that it was her wings.

"It's the wings." She said, Marcus nodded before applying the lotion onto his hand before he rubbed it against his other hand. Once the Luna gave the nod that she was comfortable. Marcus began massaging her wings. He found the wing joint and gently began massaging that. With a light gasp of pain coming of Luna caused Marcus to stop.

"Indeed your wings are over stressed. Mostly due to high G manoeuvres. Your wings look slight damaged as well. The joint needs to be realigned. How long has it been like this?" Marcus asked then he quickly squeezed again to be sure, when Luna gasped in pain and he stopped. "Defiantly, you have dislocated the joint from its socket, I'll have to realign it. But you've been doing moves that your frame can't handle. Haven't you Luna?" She nodded.

"Do you have anything to ease the pain?" She asked.

"In fact I do. It's a little painkiller called morphine. However It can sometimes have nasty side effects. For your case you'll need it." Marcus said. "But would you rather me finish the massage first?" Luna nodded and Marcus continued to gently massage the lotion into her aching joints.

"Is is safe to say that is the best massage ever. Your hands feel so relaxing." Luna said actually getting into the massage despite her not agreeing at the start. Marcus chuckled lightly.

"Don't get any ideas Luna, you have your servants that could do this for me." He said just to see what Luna would say.

"Please, this is the best I've had in years, I've never been so relaxed." Luna said resting her head as Marcus pulled one of his white pillows under her chin. "I wouldn't mind if you sat on my back you know. After all you seem to massaging me in an awkward position, and I can't have that."

"No, I'm not sitting you. Plus if any decides to randomly walk in, it would look weird." Marcus said. When Luna moaned he stopped his massage and threw her a look. "It doesn't help if you moan like that either. I would be rather grateful that you be yourself aboard my ship."

"Out of curiosity, did you do this often with your misses?" Luna said. "Because you are really... Good."

"Actually now that you ask, yes I did. Every time I got back from a voyage I'd host a party and invite the families of my crew, then I'd go home with mine, put the kids to bed. Then I would massage my wife's back as a way of showing my appreciation of her." Marcus said finally stopping for the last time as the lotion had been rubbed in. He got up and headed for his medical cabinet and pulled out a small bottle of morphine and a needle.

"You do realise your still in the towel." Luna said watching his every move from her relaxed position.

"Never mind the towel, I'm more concerned about your wing. I find it fascinating how only one wing seems to have suffer displacement. Does it hurt you when it moves?" Marcus asked and got a quick nod in reply. "Ok then don't move, I need to inject the needle directly into the wing muscle, this will numb the pain faster so I can push it back into place. If you need to scream just do it into the pillow." Luna felt Marcus get back onto the bed and carefully injected the needle into the muscle. The effect was just below the standard dosage, as Marcus didn't know how tolerant her body was to it, she immediately felt numb in her right wing.

"How do you know so much about realigning dislodge.. Aah!" Luna said before screaming in agony into the pillow. Marcus could only hold her steady so she didn't damage her wing further.

"Medical training that's all." Marcus said as she began to recover. "Need another dose?" Luna shook her head and pulled Marcus into a hug.

"No but thanks anyway. I feel much better." She whispered.