Still In The Dark

Red Sky At Dawn

It's been two days since the confrontation with the thestrals and Twilight Sparkle. It's also been two days now that the thestrals have been locked up in the brig as POW's. Twilight was not happy to hear she had fail to not only secure Blueblood but that she also lost her ace in the hole. Speaking of the prince here's something that's hard to believe, he's been sleeping. Through the entire ordeal on that day the guy was asleep the entire time, through the broadside, the fighting, the shouting, and even Charon going berserk he was asleep. He woke up at noon the next day to top it all off. After he was given a different explanation as to the situation he went about his days in his room doing something. Twilight on her part had slowly eased back into working mode, she made a report to the princesses explaining everything although I saw to it a few things were left out for her sake.

Their response was a bit mixed, on one hand Celestia was sorry as she had no idea that the thestrals were even dispatched. I couldn't tell if she was honest by the letter alone but it seemed sincere. Luna was on the opposite end of the line, livid could not describe the tone of the rather hateful letter I received. Something about dishonor and shame along with a challenge to a dual. Charon wanted to take my place but I told him it was my fault and so it was my fight. He relented as he had let all of his anger from that day out on the poor bastards that followed us. Two were brought back with broken bones, the rest will no doubt be crippled for life. No wonder I was challenged.

I was on the main deck overseeing the crew who seemed to just not care about what went down. The captain of the ship also had no part in anything, he simply wanted no part in the battle between us. The captain was currently charting a course around a large storm headed our way so I had been left in charge to order the helmsmen and crew while he planned his course.

"So it was 30 feet tall?" The helmsmen asked. He was a Naga about 67 years old, he was dressed like a sailor and acted like one as well.

"Yep and ten feet wide, the damn thing was longer than I could measure but I can tell you right now it was easily longer than this ship." I was telling him about one of my more interesting fights with a burrower, whom I dubbed Old' Sandy.

"I find it hard tah' believe that lil' stick ah yers could kill a burrower 'specially one like that." He said scoffing.

"Hey you don't believe me go check with the reports back in the customs office, I had to bring in it's part through them and they tell you the same." I took a sip from a bottle I had been given, no idea what was in it but it was good and strong.

"I'll do just that." He said taking a sip from a bottle of his own.

The day in terms of weather had started out well enough, the sky had been painted orange and red early on causing some worry among the crew. While I wasn't too superstitious I did know well enough to take caution at the sings of danger. For the most part the weather had held up until recently. Just a bit after dawn clouds had slowly began to form, now a few miles ahead of us laid a roaring wave of black storm clouds. The crew having been preparing for such an event had altered their normal routines to take action for the oncoming winds and rain.

The sound of footsteps made me look to the captain's door, he leaned out and waved me inside. Stepping into the room I saw the Kobold standing next to a round navigation chart with various strings connecting points to points.

"Mr Foster it seems our journey will be brought to a halt for a time." He said pointing to a row of black pegs marking the storms edge. "With no visible means around the storm we will be forced to take shelter till it passes." He pointed to a large outcrop on the map a small ways ahead of us. "We should try and take port their, the shelf will provide protection from the rain and a natural spring should allow us to find water and maybe fresh game."

I looked over the chart and the weather patterns detailed on it. "If you think it best I trust your judgement on this, you have more experience that I." I tapped on the outcrop. "While we're there we should also see how the aftereffects of the storm will effect our progress, with the pressure and temperature change our progress will be effected." The Kobold nodded.

"Well if the weather can clear up quickly after the storm the front should bring in high pressures, if this is the case our flying will be a bit easier." He pointed to a red marked area just after the front.

"Good hopefully we can make up for lost time." The brake would most likely cost us a few days in our journey.

"Aye, with the north winds blowing these storms right against us it's like something's giving us a sign." He chuckled.

"Superstition aside it is still our job to see to it these ponies get home safe, no matter how much of a pain they are." I said rolling my eyes.

"They ain't that bad, sure a little up tight, but can you expect them to act as we do?" He moved the little ship piece towards the crop and the line of pegs towards it, the demonstration showed we could take shelter maybe a few hours before coming into contact with the storm.

"No, but at least a bit of honor would be nice. Hell I would have been happy if they had just attacked straight of, at least then things would have been complicated" I sighed rubbing a hand down my hair. "Regardless you should see to it your men get their orders in buckling down the ship, I'll see to it my team begins setting up a safe area for the crew around the ship." He nodded and dismissed me.

A quick mental pulse later and I had my team quickly assembled on the main deck. "Alright so it looks like we've got a bit of trouble coming up, we're going to be taking shelter from the storm in a nearby outcropping. While the ship is docked we are to resupply on what we can, but that is a second concern for us. Our number one priority is to have a perimeter set up to keep the nastier habitats away, we are to erect bonfires and wards to keep things like Grue and Necros away before the storm hits, this means we have two hours of working time." The three of them looked a bit stressed to hear the deadline.

"How will we be dividing the work?" Charon asked.

"You and Noir will assist the crew in setting the fires up, Finna and I will take care of the warding. Now remember we only have two hours, one we reach that time the storm will hit and we won't be able to get anything else done." They nodded. "I know you may not like it but we must also see to the safety of the Equestrians and not just the prince and princess." They nodded again although Charon bit hesitantly

The ship picked up speed, setting a direct course

The ship was flying at full speed causing the already strong winds to feel even heavier. The guards now made a point to drop the statue act and assist the crew, some seemed to thankfully have experience with airships. Finna and I stood on the bow of the ship trying our hardest to redirect the oncoming wind as best we could, sadly nature is the true master of the primal forces so our powers did little more than slow the wind. Noir was busy tending to a few wounded men who had been injured by lines and beam that had flung loose from the winds. Charon was busy supporting large beams the crew were working on trying to keep them stable until the men could secure the lines. Twilight and Blueblood were inside but I had no idea what they were doing.

"Captain!" I called over the wind.

"Aye!" I heard him called back from somewhere behind me.

"Land the ship, we have to before it's blown apart!" I shouted back feeling my magic begin to give out, Finna seemed to fair no better.

"We can't if we land out in the open it will only be worse!" Was his reply.

I felt myself sliding back as the wind began to push through what magic I had left. I felt a searing pain on my back as the magic whip lashed, I was sent rolling across the deck before crashing into the wall of the inner decks. Seeing my fault Finna dropped her magic and instead hunkered down using her claws and magic to anchor herself the to the deck. With no protection from the wind the ship swayed side to side and the frame began to groan and creak with strain. Panic spread quickly as the crew became disheveled, some trying to tie down lines only for their shaking hands allowing it to come loose.

I saw Charon slowly sinking to his knees, the battering winds and shaking were making it hard for him to support the beams. Large portions of the rigging began to fall causing a number of crewmen to fall with it. Order was gone and those still standing did all they could to not be ripped from the ships deck. A few of the Naga crewmen held others with their arms and coils, using the combined weigh they were secure. With no one left to man the it the rigging was flailing about dangerously, the ropes nearly sending a few people overboard.

A bolt of blinding white lightning struck the ship's mast sending splinters in all directions, I could only watch as those near the strike were thrown into the railings of the ship. A loud crash boomed as the mast creaked and swayed from side to side soon to fall. The crew hurried as quick as their battered bodies could to secure the lines, and keep the ship from coming apart. The winds tore at the hull of the ship tugging at the armor plating, moments later the armor of the hull was pulled from the ship. It was all coming apart and there wasn't enough will left in the crew or guards to hold it together any longer.

"Captain!" I screamed hoping he could hear me, hoping he was still okay.

I got no response from him but the ship slowly began to descend instead, the wind still whipped at us but the ship made less noise as we got closer to the ground. Our shelter was not far off and even from it distance it was providing some protection. I couldn't tell how long it took but we managed to eventually anchor the ship inside the outcrop cutting the fury of the storm to a fraction of it's previous strength. I gasped as the rain became less than a drizzle, I felt my drenched cloths hug my body along a damp cold setting in.

I managed to pick myself up after a few minutes, my first instinct was to check the crew. They lay scattered on the deck most on flat on their backs exhausted while some slowly set to work tying up the last of the rigging. Charon sat against the mast his breathing heavy and strained. Noir still tended to the injured along with a couple other medics. Finna tried to use the railings as a support but she had used to much magic and was now suffering the results.

"You okay down there." I looked up to see the Captain leaning over the edge of the helm.

"As good as I can be." I tried to stand but I could only get as far as leaning against the wall.

"Good, that storm moved in much faster than it should have." He said looking out at the thundering black clouds that now blanketed the sky. "I've seen all kinds of storms out here, but that one seemed to have a peculiar anger to it." He hopped down and helped me stand.

"We'd better hurry and get everything set up, our landing probably drew the attention of every creature in this canyon." I said trying to move but he held me still.

"We can worry about that after you get a quick bite to eat, you ain't doing anyone any good as worn down as you are." He said and sat me against the rails. "Wait here a moment." He quickly scurried off.

Unable to relax I looked around the area we had landed. The spring he mentioned was a few yards to our port side, tall reeds and small plants grew around it and I could even see small critters running around. Ahead was the exit tot he canyon were a wall of wind and rain was easily visible, behind us was the same making any kind of scouting outside the canyon impossible. Off the starboard side was a other half to the outcrop which was flat and void of any large monster burrows. The area seemed surprisingly safe, meaning it probably wasn't.

Charon can you move. I voiced in his mind, he looked and me and nodded. If you can try setting up smaller fires around the spring and ship, I'll tell the crew to build them up once you done and they can move. He nodded and stood his legs shaking.

Seeing him hop over the side Noir was quick to follow, she gave a quick nod as she jumped off behind him. A sudden thump made me look down, Finna had crawled over and now sat against the rail under me.

"Are... the Badlands... always like this?" She panted.

"No, most storms a ship can sail over or through. This storm was different there's no doubt about it." I felt no trace of Equestrian magic in it, but there seemed to be something that had invoked the primal magic inside of it.

"We... should get to work." She tried to pull herself up but failed.

The captain came from bellow decks followed by one of the few crewmen spared by the storm. "Here you two, get yer energy back before doing something stupid." He said with a grin, we laughed before eating.

The food and drink was quickly gone and we thanked the crewmen before he took the dishes. Using a bit of magic I recovered I managed to get us back on our feet. We jumped off the ship and landed in the damp sandy bellow, I saw Charon and Noir had set up a few fires around the ship. I looked back up to the ship and called out, a few heads poked over the edge. Pointing to the fires those who could also came down and began to tend the fires and huddle around their warmth.

"Come on we have to hurry." Finna said already moving to one of the fires.

Setting the wards was a fairly easy task, it was a matter of blessing the fires with white magic. The white fire's light would then kill any Necros that walked into it, Grues would also burn in it's light but they would avoid any light in general. Within the hour we had a ring of light on and around the ship. After the last fire was blessed the crew cheered some tossing off wet clothes and either jumping into the spring or sitting around the fires. After making sure the last of the crew and my team we well I climbed back on board the ship. The captain sat around a large fire in the center of the ship along with a few personal friends, the fire was held in some kind of large bowl with a mural carved around it's edges.

Seeing me the Kobold waved me over. "I have to thank you, if it were for you and your friends I doubt we would have made it through that storm." He held out a claw.

I took it and shook. "I'm just glad no one was killed, we may be stuck here but things could have been much worse."

He nodded. "True, though tah say everyone made it out just fine is an overstatement. Some of the crew will be bed ridden for a while."

I sighed. "Sorry to hear that, we'll do what we can to help when ever you need it." He smiled and thanked me before moving back to the fire.

The sound of the lower deck's door closing and hoofsteps let me know the Equestrian's were okay.

"Foster." Twilight called.

"I take it those bellow deck are alright." I said.

"Yes they're fine, I came to tell you Blueblood wanted to speak to you." She said.

"I'll be with him in a moment, I have to check a few things on the ship first." I told her, not in the mood to deal with her.

She nodded but made no move to leave. "I'm sorry."

I barely heard her over the sounds of the crew and the storm. "About?" Was all I gave back.

"About not helping everyone, if I had been up here I could have stopped people from getting hurt." She said looking over the bloodied bodies.

I gave an exhausted groan before staring at her. "You should know that we don't control the weather in the Badlands, it is free to do as it wants. When we say it coming we had a choice to either retreat to safety, or we could push forward and take shelter without losing progress. We made the choice to go forward so there's nothing we can do about that, we knew the risks and we came out on top. Had you been on deck in the middle of all that you'd have only made it more difficult, it's my team's job to make sure you get home safely and we couldn't have worried about you and the storm at once." I took a deep breath, already panting again.

She stared down at her feet. "I could have taken care of myself, I just don't want to sit by and do nothing if we're all in trouble." Her fists were clenched tight.

"It's over, there isn't anything to do about it now. I suggest you return bellow and make sure no one is injured down their, I'll see Blueblood after I'm done here." She didn't respond, instead she slowly walked back inside.

Please let there be no more storms. I prayed.

After making sure that the ship wouldn't fall apart and I made myself presentable, I went to find Blueblood. The door to his room was open wide, his room was a mess with various items scattered everywhere. He was at a desk writing something down in a journal. Hearing me enter he looked up and gave a polite smile waving me in.

"Elijah Foster, I'm glad to finally meet you in person." He said standing.

If only you knew. I chuckled mentally.

"And I you, your highness." I said giving a small bow. "I hope you're alright after what just happened."

He chuckled in response. "Of course, a little wind is nothing for one such as I." He said putting a hand on his chest.

"I'm glad to hear it. I apologize for being blunt but is their something you need your highness?" I asked.

"Yes I was curious if you had any indication as to when we would be crossing the border into Equestria, with these delays I worry it will still be a while yet before we arrive?" He asked sitting back down, he began writing again.

"Well this storm will no doubt be adding a few more days to our trip, but after that we should be crossing into Equestria rather soon." I estimated the time but if the weather changed to our favor we could make it sooner.

"Good I look forward to returning home." He sighed relaxing back in the chair.

I wanted to leave I wanted to remain ignorant, but I had to ask. "Your highness I have one question for you, what were you doing in the middle of the Badlands with such a small regimen of guards that day?" It was the largest question I had about anything, why was the prince of Equestria in the middle of wasteland.

"Well were else can someone find Grue oil in such large quantities, it is a key component in our more quality fuels." He said like it was common sense.

"T-that's it?" I tried to find any reason not to shoot him on the spot.

"Of course, with imports being so taxed and disorganized, it's easiest to simply hunt down the beats yourselves. I had been thinking of keeping one as a trophy." He said waving a hand dismissively.

"I... understand, thank you." I took a deep breath. "If you'll excuse me I need to make sure everyone is tended to." He just waved and kept writing.

As soon as I closed the door to his room I bolted from the ship. Running to a small shrub and heaved, the sheer insolence of that stallion made me sick. Had I known why he was here any sooner he'd have been a dead man, to think someone could so casually walk into one of the most dangerous places on the continent made my head spin. I spat the last of the bile from my mouth before taking a sip of water from my canteen.

"Elijah." I turned to see Charon standing behind me. "Are you well?" He asked kneeling next to me.

"No I'm not, but it doesn't matter." I sat back in the sand I said draining the canteen.

He sat next to me. "It's Blueblood isn't it, I heard Princess Sparkle talking to you about him?"

I tried to keep my mouth shut. "That bastard is the most pretentious, arrogant, white-collar jackass I've ever met." I punched the ground putting a crater in the sand. "The son of a bitch came all the way out here, got all of his men killed, all over some blood he didn't want to pay for."

"What did you expect, royals are the same no matter where you go. Give someone a title and power and they loose themselves in it. They act as if the world is bellow them. You can't think men like him will act like us, we are just to different" He took my arm and pulled me up. "Come on, we should stay in the light." I followed him to a fire close to the ship.

Everyone else sat around the other fires, Noir seemed to be messing with at a different fire and Finna was meditating.

"Here, courtesy of the captain." He handed me a bottle of the same drink I had when I spoke to the helmsmen.

"Thanks." Popping the cork out I drain a fourth of it in one go. As I took a breath I saw Charon smirking at me trying to hold back a laugh. "Shut up I'm tired." I said before taking a smaller swig.

He shook his head and did the same. "I can't argue with that, who knew a single storm could cause so much trouble."

"Especially one this far from the sea, you'd think it would have died out but look at it." The rain and wind had only picked up outside the rocks. "It's practically a hurricane."

"It's perfect weather for Grue, the dead will be unable to hold together in the winds though." He said taking another deep drink.

"At least we managed to set up the fires before any showed up." I said staring into the pale flames.

"It's the small things that make trips bearable." He said, his voice had a bit of a hum to it. "I mean if not for Noir and Ms Jera I doubt things would be as enjoyable."

I looked at him in surprise, the normally polite and refined drake was beginning to sound like a normal mercenary.

I grinned as I watched him try and take a sip only to end up spilling some on himself. How many drinks does it take to intoxicate a dragon. I thought, slowly forming a plan to find out.

---4 Minutes later---

"Way hey and up she rises!" To answer my earlier question, it only takes about three full bottles of powerful rum to get a dragon drunk.

Charon and I had managed to empty a combined total of five bottles, by this point our fire had been surrounded by other sailors who to had joined the shanties. The entire crew watched from either their fires or the ship, especially once their captained joined in.

"What do we do with a drunken sailor, what do we do with a drunken sailor!?" The group sang with slurring words.

As soon as the liquor was brought out and the fires had been raised, the mood did as well. The whole of the ship took part in the drinking and many tried their best to sing. Noir and Finna danced with their own group to the drunken voices, they were cheered on by a quickly growing crowd. Circling the fire I couldn't help but laugh while also trying my best to keep up with the lyrics. Charon was almost dancing in the fire itself as he felt no pain form the heat, the men watched as he was soon dancing with the fire. The whole scene looked like a dream but no one seemed to care, the relief from the storm was welcomed by everyone and I was no different. Once things were in full swing there were no enemies only friends. No one cared if they were Equestrian or a Wastelander it was just a time to get shit faced and probably make bad choices you wouldn't remember.

It was also within that time that Finna approached me, her steps wobbly and her breath smelled as strong as mine.

"May I have a dance." She said in relatively sober voice for someone who had probably drained a couple bottles herself.

"You may." I said holding out a hand.

The two of us tried our hardest to keep on our feet, but like the rest we always stumbled eventually only to get back up and keep dancing. I heard band start up and play along to the singing, this only made the festivities grow. It seemed ridiculous to be celebrating so quickly after a brush with death. But the men didn't care, they had cheated death and walked away with the winnings. I looked over to the fox dancing next to me.

Guess I got part of the winnings to. My swaying mind thought.

Well into the night the celebration went on, and as it did my head became more and more clouded. Through my inebriated state I made out Finna and me as well as many of the crew returning to our quarters, after that everything just became a mesh of sweat and not so bad choices.

---9 AM---

If you've ever have a shotgun go off next to your head while it was being slugged by a boxing team you know the pain I was in. I didn't bother opening my eyes I knew it would only get worse if I did. I was in my bed I knew that from the cool are and soft mattress, I was also not alone in said bed. I felt a fluffy figure laying next to me, I froze up remembering last night. I slowly opened my eyes squinting at the light coming through the window, looking to my side revealed a sheet covered lump of black and grey fur.

Oh.

Slowly peeling back the sheets made my breath catch in my throat. Finna lay naked cuddling against my side, a content smile on her face.

Oh shit, Noir and Charon are going to kill me. It was a bit odd really, but not long after we formed Division 8 we made it a point to avoid getting too personal with one another, for many reasons. The fact that I had absolutely destroyed that rule meant their anger was inevitable.

I lay back down my motion causing her to stir and moved closer resting her head on my chest. I closed my eyes and tried to think but the thundering hangover I had stopped that right away. Deciding to simply let things play out I pulled the sheet back up and waited. But before I could get back to sleep I hear the handle to my door creak. Quickly faking sleep I closed my eyes and slowed my breath. I heard the sound of heavy clicking steps meaning it was Charon who had come in. I heard his steps go quiet after a second no doubt having seen us.

"Heh, good for her." He said as though someone had just won a prize.

Now I know what they talked about the day we set out. I thought.

I heard him collapse onto his the couch making the wooden legs snap, his snores quickly following. Sensing his mind was in a sleeping state I sat up carefully nudging Finna. She gave a little sniff before opening her eyes only to shut them again.

"Where am I?" She asked holding her head.

"My bed." I said, she jumped at the sound of my voice nearly falling off the bed.

"Elijah! Wha... why am I in your?" She sputtered barely able to form words.

"Hey hey calm down." I put my hand on her lips pointing to Charon who stilled snored on the couch. "Come on let's head to the hold I have to check on Kodo." I had been unable to make time to see the Komodo yesterday and as he was unable to roam the ship he was unable to come find me himself.

We quietly left the room making sure Charon wasn't woken. In the halls the crew had already shaken off the effects of the previous night, they had begun the preparations to set take off. From out of the windows I could see the storm had become less that a tropical storm, while thunder and lightning were still present. The wind no longer shook the ship or it's rigging making things easy for the crew to work with.

Stepping onto the main deck I saw just how badly the ship had been damaged. Some of the metal plating on the ships hull had been torn off completely and much of the rigging had been brought down as well. The Crow's Nest was gone to, thankfully no one was stationed inside it when the storm hit sparing someone from a long fall. I saw the helmsmen talking to the captain and they both gave a knowing wave and smug grin.

Guess I'm the only one to not know about this. I though trying to remember as much as I could from the previous night. Finna, Charon, and I danced for about two hours before getting back on the ship. Once aboard we talked about something for a while, Charon left to do something a part of the way through that. After that we started getting tired and I offered to let Finna stay in my room, on the way there she said something that I guess got my interest. Last we got to my room there was a bit of pillow talk, then a whole lot of pillow talk past that it was all a blur of pleasure and pain.

Speaking of the fox she had been quiet the entire time we walked, even as we entered the Kodo's private holding area. We dropped from the hatch on the main deck into his sleeping area. The Komodo was still curled up on a large pile of blankets but his eye opened hearing us drop down.

Good morning Elijah. I saw his nose twitch. Ah I guess for you it's a very good morning. He snarked a humorous tone in his voice.

"Yeah yeah laugh it up scales." I sat next to him and pat his head. "How are you holding up?" I asked handing him an apple I grabbed on the way.

Apart from the storm things have been peaceful, the crew has been helpful in assisting me when I need it. He responded munching on the small fruit.

"Good to hear it, we'll be on our way again soon. We only have a couple days before we enter Equestria, from there you'll be allowed a bit more moving room." I stood back up.

I'm glad to here it, while the luxury of peace is nice I do wish to get traveling again. With his last statement he closed his eye and went back to sleep.

Motioning to jump me and Finna lifted ourselves back onto the deck.

"I take it you've got a few things to get off your chest?" I asked her.

"Yes I do, follow me please." She said pulling me towards the stern of the ship.

A small porch like area hung on the rear of the ship usually used by sharpshooters, but it would suit our needs. Finna and I sat on a small wooden bench for a moment, she looked away trying to think of something to say.

"I want to apologize for my actions, I know they weren't very professional especially in the current situation." She said finally think of something.

"I should be saying the same, it was stupid of me to get like that. We're suppose to be protecting a high ranking official and here I am getting wasted in the desert during a storm that nearly killed us." I laughed looking back at the sheer idiocy of that night. "Even if we were stressed out we shouldn't have gone that far, not say it's anything bad it's just, we should have waited for a better time."

I could see her blush through her fur. "So it wasn't that bad?" She asked looking down at her feet.

"It could have been worse, I mean with us being drunk like that way worse things could of happened." I told her with a laugh.

"Oh you mean that, yes of course." She said looking even harder at her feet.

"Well yes what else would I be-" My words caught in my throat as my mind processed what she actually meant. "Oh that... yeah it was great!" I quickly responded only cringe at my choice of words.

I could feel her magic resonate as her blushing grew, if not for her fur she would be as red as Charon.

"That's not-... hold on." I stammered getting her to giggle, I just sighed and smiled.

"It's alright I understand what you're trying to say. I just wish I could remember what happened." She sighed looking out over the calmed storm.

"I guess it'd nice." I said trying my best not to fall over myself.

We sat there for a few minutes before she spoke again. "So about us, what... should we do?"

I had been thinking about that, Charon didn't seem to mind and even congratulated her. Noir would most likely not care as she wasn't one to judge my choice in partners. Then there were my own thoughts, one one hand it's not like I hadn't thought about her in a few different way, I just never thought to act on them. On the other hand the whole reason I never sought for a long term partner was because of my occupation, it would be devastating to get close to someone only for one of us to perish.

But she and I both took this job knowing the risk and so did she, if she's fine with it I see no reason to oppose either. I like her she likes me and we know what we're getting into. I turned to face her and put a hand under her chin.

"What do you want to do?" I asked.

She looked unsure for a moment before taking a deep breath. She grabbed my head and pulled my lips to hers, I wrapped my arms around her and brought her closer. Lying on the bench we held our kiss and each other. We broke apart panting as we looked each other in the eye.

"That." She said before resting atop my chest.

I smiled pulling her closer. We sat in the wind keeping the other warm, both of us not saying a word as none were needed.

"Hey, if we're going through with this, it may be a good idea to take things a bit slow." She nodded. "After last night I think a bit of time to get to know one another is a good idea."

"Agreed, I know so much about you and yet there is still much more I don't." She said moving closer the wind making her shiver.

"After we arrive in Equestria let's take some time off there. I know Noir will be wanting to gather as many interesting things she can find, and Charon will want to see what weapons the Griffon traders have for sale." While Charon had no love for ponies he did find the Griffons to be a kindred people, their love for battle and skill in smithing making them kin in spirit.

"How long will we be in Equestria?" She asked.

"I don't know, the Directors want us return the prince and try our best to make relations at least stable enough to prevent further hostility. After that we'll have to find another means to return to The Brink as this ship we depart after we arrive." I had yet to think of a safe way for us return.

"When we get to Equestria could we pay a visit to an old friend, she is a very skilled shaman and alchemist. I have been hoping to see her as it was with her help I became adept in magic." She held out an arm conjuring a small purple wisp of magic, it was one I had only seen a few times, Zebra Hoodoo.

Unlike most form of magic Hoodoo was based more around the spiritual side, meaning communication with the dead and things many would consider old witchcraft. But the two are pretty different and it was hoodoo that inspired witchcraft if I remember right. So to see this obscure and largely rumored magic being cast was shocking to say the least.

"She's a hoodoo priestess?" I sat up Finna taking a place next to me.

"Yes and she's very powerful, when we first met she showed me her powers by calling souls to manipulate puppets. I had never seen Hoodoo magic before or even heard of it." She twirled the wisp around her fingers like a small insect.

"Finna have you told anyone besides me about this?" I turned her to face me interrupting her spell.

"No why?" She sounded nervous.

"I may know what Hoodoo magic really is, but most people in this world do not. If people see this they will only think of you as a necromancer or hexe." Her face fell as she looked at her hands. "Hoodoo is illegal in Equestria, your friend should have told you this. The fact that you found her so openly willing to not only teach you but to show you is amazing." I hugged her seeing her worried face. "Listen around me and the others you won't have to worry, we know the truth about magic and we know you aren't a bad person. But when we're around other people you are only to use that kind of magic if your life is in danger."

She nodded as tears came to her eyes. "I will, I just never knew it was bad. Zecora told me it was just understanding the world." she said trying to hold back her fear.

Zecora huh?

"It is don't think it is not, but the people of this world don't realize that. Without being able to understand it's origins Hoodoo just looks like black magic." I held her tight trying to help her calm down.

"Thank you, thank you for understanding." I kissed her head and sighed.

"Don't worry about it, everyone has their secrets." I felt the ship rumble as the engines fired up and we slowly began to ascend.

"What's your secret then." She said through a sniff.

She's feeling better. I thought and kissed her head again. But seeing as how she just reveal her darkest secret, even if she didn't know it, she still had a right to here one of mine.

"Would you believe that I'm an alien?" She moved away and gave me a deadpan look. "It's true."

"Prove it." She hummed.

Putting my hands up in mock defeat I reached into one of my pant's pockets, I pulled out the most important memory of home I had. It was a picture of me and my family standing at in Times Square on New Years. Finna's eyes went wide at the sight of the grand city center, she took the picture looking at all the lights and people.

"It can't be. You really aren't of this world." I took the picture and pointed to the people.

"Hear on the left is me in my old uniform." I was in my formal uniform as I had been in a presentation earlier on that day. "On the right is my sister Claire, she was 18 at the time of the photo and I was in my early twenties I think I don't remember which year this was taken in." I didn't remember much of home anymore. "On my left is my dad Thomas and it's his last name Foster I take after, one his right is my mother Charlotte Mavory."

Finna looked over my family before a sad look came over her. "Do you miss them?"

"Every day, but I don't morn their loss as I hope they don't morn for me. I always told them if I were to pass that I wanted my funeral to be a celebration rather than a time for grieving, why cry over someones death when you can celebrate their life?" I remembered me and my father planning all ridiculous things that would happen at my wake, we wanted to hire a band and make sure the place was stocked with booze for the adults and music for the kids.

"That is a good philosophy to have, my people have much the same outlook. When one of us passes a small time of silence is held before a grand celebration is held to honor their name." I could here the nostalgia in her voice.

"Do you miss your family?" I returned.

"Yes but I can see mine if I take the time, in your position something like that is not so easy." Before she could get sad again I gave her a small kiss.

"Like I said don't worry about it, I know I'll see them again one day. Don't ask me how I know but I just feel that I will, maybe when I better understand this worlds magic I can find a way to communicate with them." I said shrugging.

Finna smiled. "I think that's a wonderful idea, magic can do many things and so maybe it can reunite you with your family."

I just nodded before looking back out over the horizon. "Alright enough sappy stuff let's check up on the others, with things quieting down I think we can finally make some progress."

The two of us stood and hurried back to the main deck, we were quick to begin working with the crew and soon the ship was flying straight headed for Equestrian lands.

---The next day, 10 miles from Equestrian border town.---

The sun was bright above us the remnants of the storm gone and the wind helped our pace. With the Crow's Nest repaired our spotters had continuous sightings of the buffalo tribes stampeding bellow us, as well as a few pegasi ponies flying in the distance. I stood alone in the roost looking down a scope at the distant figures of the ponies, while I couldn't make out any defined buildings shapes did slowly come into view.

"Mr Foster!" Looking away from the scope towards the helm I saw the Captain waving me down. Waving to the next crewman to take over I jumped from the nest and onto the deck bellow the helm.

"Yes?" I called up.

"Can you meet me in my cabin?" He called back. "I need to speak with ya." I nodded and headed inside.

I waited for a few minutes before the Kobold entered, he took a seat at the navigation chart and popped the cork on a bottle. "It's been a long ride son but it looks like its coming to an end." He said taking a sip and handing me the bottle.

"Well it's a bit soon to say goodbye, we have another day at least before we reach Canterlot." I said taking a drink.

"'Fraid not son." He said as I handed him the bottle. "This old girl has been flying for 40 years now, I've been proud to be her captain fer that long." He said looking around the room. "But just like me she's wearin' down. That last storm really took it outta her, we managed to make due with the current condition but we need to fix her up proper." He took another drink stopping as he looked down at the chart. "I won't be able to take ya any further unless ya feel like waitin' for a good three months."

I was a bit disappointed to here that, the captain was an eccentric and odd person but he was also very wise. Over the past week he had been a good man to sail with. "I'm sorry to hear that, I really am, but I understand. You've got ties with this ship and it has ties with you, I can respect that." I held out a hand and he took it with a firm shake. "I'm said to say farewell but I do hope to see you again soon."

"And I you lad. Now go on and get your friends ready, we'll be docking in the hour." He said, I gave a light chuckle and a salute before leaving the room.

Outside I saw Charon talking to Twilight, hearing part of their conversation he was repeating what the captain had told me. Seeing me the two came over.

"So it seems we'll be leaving the good captain's company." Charon said first.

"Yeah that's right, the ship was barely holding out on the way here after the storm." I looked around but I didn't have the trained eye needed to see the deeper problems.

"Well as sad as it is I am thankful for the captain's help." He gave the captain's room a quick bow before excusing himself.

"I guess avoiding the public is going to be out of the question." Twilight said rubbing her temples.

"It may make things more difficult but I doubt there will be anything to problematic for us." Even if their was it wasn't like anyone could stand in our way.

"I hope you're right about that, on the bright side we'll be passing through my home town, Ponyville" She said with a relieved sigh.

"Can't say I've heard of it, although I have heard on of the Apple family lives in the area we're going through. You wouldn't happen to know them would you?" I asked.

Twilight looked surprised. "I do, in fact she's one of my best friends. Her and her family run their own branch of the Apple Family Farms. But how do you know about them?"

"The Apples are one of the few groups any of the Badlands' merchants trade with inside Equestria." I told her, she quickly wrote that down.

She put the notes away and gave me a concerned look. "I don't know the best way to say this so I'll be direct. I'm sorry for betraying your trust before, I was just going along with a plan and I never meant any harm. I had hoped the trip would have been peaceful and not as tense as it was. I should have just told you first hand, I'm just use to things going smoothly." She bowed her head.

I had heard many people try to apologize for things far worse than what she did, but for some reason I had a harder time forgiving her. "Princess I don't know what to think about you, you're a variable that's constant. I've tried t figure you out but I can't, you try to be friendly but if someone doesn't follow your line of thought you become aggravated. You hold other's lives with respect and yet you put them in needless danger. If it were up to me I would have just handed you Blueblood at the docks in the Brink and been done with it, but my superiors wanted to build relations with Equestria. We thought a peaceful diplomatic approach would be met with open arms, instead we found backstabbers and liars."

With each word she shrank back. "You're right and I understand if you don't forgive me, but please give us a chance to make it up to you." She begged.

"It will take more than kind words and promises to get me to trust you again, I made that mistake already. But should you hold true to your word, I will be willing to give you another chance. Only one more chance." She smiled and held my hand in hers.

"Thank you, and I will keep my promise." She gave a little squeal before darting inside to retrieve Blueblood.

"It's almost funny how things fall into place, no?" Finna asked.

"Let's just hope that keeps up. Come on we should help the crew get Kodo out of the hold." I said leading her to find a few helping hands.

---Appleloosa Airspace---

The last of the storm had begun to part leaving only a few stray clouds in the sky. Charon, Noir, Finna, Twilight, Blueblood, and I stood on the main deck ready to depart. The border settlement didn't have an airdock so the ship lowered to an open a few yards from the town it'self. The gangplank was lowered off the port side as the ship deployed its anchors, the engines slowly began to power down to barely a hum. With the a crewman giving us the signal to disembark we filed down one by one. Before leading Kodo down I looked back and gave the helmsman and captain a wave, they returned it along with some of the crew.

"Come on buddy we still have a ways to go." I said as me and the Komodo walked down to the rocky ground.

Ah it's good to be on land again. Kodo said, he raised himself up and trotted around for a moment his joints popping.

"While your in an active mood let's get moving, I think the locals are eager to meet us." I said looking to an oncoming group of earth ponies.

The two leading ponies were dressed very similar, both wore long brown dusters and brown work pants. The one on the right had a sheriffs hat and star while the one on the left had a more iconic cowboy hat on.

"Braeburn, Sheriff Silverstar!" Twilight called in delight.

Seeing the princess the two both smiled an ran forward.

"Well I'll be Twilight." The yellow one named Braeburn said pulling her into a hug. "I ain't seen you nor cousin Applejack in months, how ya'll been?" He asked smiling at the shorter mare.

"As well as we can be." She said lightheartedly. "I just got back from the Badlands actually, it's a long story but it's why these five are here." She said turning back to us.

Braeburn walked up to me giving Kodo and me a once over. "Well if yer with Twilight I don't see no reason to hold ya'll up."

"I appreciate the hospitality, Braeburn?" I asked and he nodded. "It's good to see the first people we meet are as kind as you, Id explain our situation if I could be we are on a bit of a deadline."

He tipped his hat. "That's not a problem at all, when me an' the sheriff done saw yer ship fly in we thought the worst."

I laughed wondering what they would have done had our warships flown in. "I'm sorry for the scare then." I held out a hand and he took it. "I'm sorry to cut this short but we had better get going."

Twilight and Braeburn had a quick goodbye before we headed into town. The town it'self wasn't anything impressive, it had a few stores and restaurants like any place but that was it. There were no defined road markings and the town looked as if it had just been built around the Town Hall in a loose jumble of buildings.

"Braeburn is another of the apple family, in fact he's Applejack's immediate cousin." Twilight said looking off in her own thoughts, she had been talking for a bit but I had tuned it out.

"I've heard their good people, I guess it's true." I noticed a train station just a ways ahead, I knew it from the captain's maps. "I take it once we get on the train we'll have a straight ride to Canterlot?" I knew Kodo wouldn't be happy to be penned up again, but at least on a train I could see him regularly.

"I wish that were the case, but it's not." She said, she jogged up to the station platform and pointed to a map of the rail lines. "We have to stop in Ponyville and there we'll meet my brother, he'll have a private transport that will take us to Canterlot."

"Why not just take the train directly to Canterlot?" I asked not seeing the point in changing our means of transport yet again.

"Do any of you have passports?" We shook our heads. "All foreigners are required to have official documents if not escorted by a direct member of the crown."

"So since we don't have a few pieces of paper we have to walk there?" Noir piped up looking at the map.

"Unfortunately yes, on the bright side the train ride should only take a few hours." She said trying to lighten the mood.

I slapped my hand against my face and groaned.

Something tells me it's going to feel a lot longer than a few hours.I thought as I watched the train pull into the station.

"Ms Twilight!" We all turned to see the sheriff running up, he had a letter in his hand. "The came in at the post office as soon as you arrived." He said panting.

"A proximity spell?" She said taking a look at the seal. "Oh it's from the princess! Thank you so much for getting this to me Sheriff."

"It's not trouble at all ma'am, have a save trip." He said before heading off.

She quickly opened the envelope and pulled out the letter. Her eyes scanned the paper growing wider and wider.

"Is something wrong?" I asked I was at the breaking point with complications.

"No not at all, in fact the princesses will be meeting us in Ponyville." She said a wide smile splitting her face.

Yay. I thought trying not to slam my head against Kodo's saddle.