Chapters Fallout Equestria: Premonition
Prologue
“Ow my head.” A small ethereal stallion whimpered as he stood up and rubbed his forehead. Keeping his eyes closed to the midday sun that illuminated the interior of a passenger cart, he shook his head, his mane becoming dishevelled from the motion. He opened his eyes slowly and looked around, squinting in an effort to avoid the sting of the light.
“Well fuck not this again,” he grumbled. His eyes ran to each pony that sat on the train with him, none of them seemed to be paying attention to him despite his rump being firmly planted on the walkway floor. His rump! That's a thing. “Guess I have to check up on the basics.” He lifted up his hooves and looked down them, tilting his head to check out his body. “Okay I have a red coat a messy green main and THAT cutiemark... oh... I'm still 'Crescent Moon'.” He said, talking to himself habitually. Still Crescent... shit. He glanced out the window of the train, watching the scenery fly by. Looks like he was on a train going to... he had no idea where.
Standing up, the stallion began to rifle through pony's bags for any indication of today’s date.
“Nope.” Crescent grumbled. No newspaper, darn why couldn't it be easy. Where to go now? “Eani-meanie-miny-mo, catch a Manticore by the toe, if it roars let it go, now which way shall I go?” His hoof pointed. Okay through that door we go we go. He casually trotted to the end of the cart where he opened the door and stepped out. Immediately looked down he noticed the ground quickly passed underneath his hooves.
“AAAHH!aaaaah...” Crescent Moon screamed as he looked down. His brain eventually caught up and he stopped his scream, somewhat thankful nopony could have heard him. “Oh I forgot, I'm ethereal.” He reminded himself, facehoofing in an effort to somehow make himself remember that fact this time. It wasn't something that was good to forget. Then something occurred to him, “-how did I open the door then?” He floats over to the following door and tried it. He phased through it.
This cart had very few passengers compared to the last one. Only three. Maybe going this way wouldn't turn out as useful as he thought. The red stallion poked his head into the various bags littered around the cart and found a wonderful collection of... nothing. Crap. He glanced up at the pony whose liuggage he'd just rifled through and grumbled silently to himself. This pony even looked like a business stallion. He'd been sure he'd have a watch or something.
“Buck!” He swore aloud. I don't have anything. He slipped into the next cart, this one looking better maintained than the last two.
“Mama?” A small olive colored filly with emerald hair aid as she pulled on the sleeve of her mother's coat.
Aww, so cute. It looked like her mother had been fussing with the little cow lick in the filly's hair for hours but it’d totally failed. It still stuck right up like a flag on the little ones head. Heh-heh, oh, and now she tries again to tame said beast, but of course, to no avail. He-he... crap, the mother said something and I'd totally missed it. Distracting adorable filly was both distracting and adorable. Need to focus. He moved into the next cart.
“Hey!” Crescent Moon heard the yell and looked over as he passed. “Hey Streak!” A stallion nudged his friend in one of the booths.
“What?” A white Pegasus responded with a grumpy expression. He didn't look happy at being disturbed.
“Don't you think the train is going a bit fast?” His friend commented, his face pressed up against the window, watching the scenery outside fly by in a blur.
Crescent stopped and turned to a window. The colt was right... they WERE going too fast. “Not good.”
“If there was a problem the train conductor or one of the engineers would fix it. Now let me sleep we have a long trip.” The pony refereed to as Streak, grumbled as he tried to get comfortable in the booth, tucking his face into himself in an effort to sleep.
“Alright, Jet, just worrying.” His companion whispered with a pout.
“You worry too much.” Said the one named Streak... or Jet... whatever it was. “I'm a Wonderbolt, no one would try anything stupid as long as I'm here. Especially since Celestia herself made it public that the I was on this trip.” He mumbled. His companion took the statement on the nose and stopped talking. Within seconds the Wonderbolt had fallen back asleep.
Well, now I have an idea on how to figure out the date when whatever is happening will be taking place. “Thank you Celestia.” Crescent said to himself as he passed from that cart into the next. He paused the moment he stepped inside.
“Wait what the hell is this?” He was shocked to see the whole cart in disarray.
Benches upon benches stacked up against the door he'd passed through. It was a barricade. They'd barricaded the Wonderbolt in, blocking them off from the rest of the front. But why? It seemed pointless. He could just fly out the window if something were to happen, surely. Whatever the reason for this, Crescent had a gut feeling that he wasn't going to like it.
He started to run. He passed through the next two carts without letting anything distract him. He burst through into the third and tried his best to keep going. But the contents sorta floored him mentally. Zebras. A lot of them. They filled this cart, every seat taken, and many of them were armed. Hey was that...? No... No that can’t be, was that the Zebra's Caesar!
“Damn.” He muttered. He had no clue how this all fit together, but there were now two key people in one location and that bad feeling in his gut was turning into roiling snakes. He needed to get to the front immediately.
Crescent Moon ran past the next few carts as quick as he could.
Shit, shit, shit! He just passed through another barricaded cart! Wait... that meant... Oh! It's not to block the Wonderbolt! It’s to trap the Ceaser... wait... why did they want to trap the Caesar? Wasn't that a bad idea?
He looking out the window. The left was blocked by a cliff-side that flew by, but it seemed expansive enough that'd it'd take up a good portion of the journey. The other side however was a very long fall down a very tall mountain. He wasn't sure the Caesar would survive such a fall if he was thrown out the window. This entire situation felt like a powder-keg. And it felt like that powder-keg was linked to another even bigger bomb. This didn't just feel like a disaster waiting to happen... it felt like he was walking through the precipice of something with consequences too big to imagine.
“Should I go watch him?” He asked himself. “Is he the event?” Talking to himself helped him think, helped him figure things out. Also it was habit by now, so stopping wasn't a viable decision. “No if it were, I would look like him.” He concluded. “Who I need to find is 'me'.”
If the Caesar had a talisman of bat-wings, he could escape. But would he carry such a thing? No, he probably wouldn't have one randomly. Who would want to do this; Changeling's? No, he'd checked. They weren't going to attack anyone anytime soon, especially not key people in Equestria or the Zebra lands. Zebra? Would Zebra kick off their own Caesar? No, he didn't think that was likely. The Tavach clan however... they were the only ones stupid enough to actively go after the Caesar. Also the Yuatem were definitely strong enough to do this too, but they had too much respect to the Caesar and wouldn't likely ever raise a weapon to him.
As he entered the last cart before the coal cart he froze. His musing stalling in his brain as his brain processed the sight in front of him. Bodies everywhere, the train engineers and pullers all lay unconscious on the floor, deep cuts and multiple small bruises covered their bodies. From what he could see though... none of them were dead. Some would think that a good thing, for Crescent it only cemented certain fears.
“No,” he whispered to himself, trying to keep himself calm. He didn't know anything yet. This was all coincidental. His eyes moved to the cuts and bruises again... telltale signs... no. NO. He was starting to shake. His hooves felt like jelly below him, and hey, ethereal or not he was pretty sure he was hyperventilating. He began backing his way back out of the cart slowly. The train horn blared. His mind snapped back into focus.
“Okay Crescent, take a deep breath.” He told himself. He closed his eyes and did just that. Breathing in deep, feeling his non-existant lungs fill with non-existant air. He began walking. Just one hoof in front of the other. That's all, nice and easy. Don't look at the bodies. Nope, don't look... was that mare a teenager? NOPE! NOT THINKING ABOUT IT! Still shaking, he slowly advanced to the other side of the cart. He was almost at the end of the cart now, which was when he decideed to force himself to look. He had to make some educated guesses. He glanced to them, feeling a lump form in his throat as he did. “This is recent.” He concluded in a strained voice. He took another deep breath. Don't worry ponies I'm going to find who did this, and break them. “THIS IS NOT RIGHT!!!” He yelled out. His voice was full of barely suppressed fear. But the edge to his voice showed that it was quickly turning to anger. “WHERE ARE YOU?!” He yelled, running from the cart. The sound of the train suddenly became deafening. He looked up at the large truck full of coal. The rock was piled up on itself, jerking a little with the heavy vibrations of the train beneath. He charged up it, scrambling over the rocks. It was good that being ethereal meant he wouldn't dislodge the coal, but could still use it to climb. Because this would be awkward if he- “OUCH!” He'd tripped, somehow, and landeed face first.
Crescent Moon grumbled at his luck. He opened his eyes and pulled his face from the coal only to pause. Something was off about the coal, he'd seen it for a split second... Slowly he leaned over and pushed his face into them. His ghostly form slipping through their corporial-ness.
“Are these crystals?” He asked himself in confusion. He sunk in a little more, phasing through more of them to get a better look. Yup, definitely crystals... but why?
“I know that pattern.” He mumbled, thinking about it. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't place where he'd seen it. “Another thing for me to look up later.”
He pulled his face from the coal and looked around himself. The mountainside still rushed past, the valley below still gave a panoramic view of gorgeous hills, lakes, and Equestria's lovely green fields. The beautiful sunny sky and the white puffy clouds, all promised a day of perfect weather and contentment. It was all a farce. Something terrible was about to happen. Crescent could feel it. I need to find the person who is doing this. The longer I'm here the more my body outside might be suffering.
Getting up he carefully ran over the coals, this time managing to not fall flat on his face. He ran up to the front of the cart, finding another truck of coal. A quick check told him it was like the other one, crystals and etchings. He was getting angry. Something was terribly wrong here and some asshole was responsible. His anger flared when he heard laughing. Charging over the coal he passed through finally into the main engine area. He stopped.
The train conductor lay on the floor. Blood pooling around his body with a dragon bone spear buried in his chest. Runes etched into its handle and blade, they almost seemed to sparkle in the light.
“Luna no.” His voice was quiet as he stared in shock. Beside the dead conductor was a dead engineer, his throat slit open, blood still flowing from the recent wound. It was horrific, but it wasn't what had captivated Crescents sight. He could handle bodies... well, not really. He was feeling queasy. But something much more terrifying had his brain so stalled and his stomach so riled, he felt like his real body might have threw up over itself in reaction.
In-front of the engine stood a stallion with an all too familiar red coat. He viewed himself laughing and crying.
“NO, no, no, no, no, this is wrong, this can’t be.” Crescent slowly backed away from the image of himself. The red coat of the 'him' before him looked unwashed. The mane was greasy and in need of a light trim. It was dishevvelled. And his eyes... they were manic. Filled with the madness of despair. Why why would I do this, no, no, no, this isn't possible.
He watched himself pull a crystal from the cloak he wore. The runes engraved on the crystal almost shimmered in the light. He knew what it was. Just a dash of fire and it'd explode. Like TNT.
“SHIT!” He said, watching the non-ethereal Crescent Moon gently hold up the crystal.
“Heh, heh, none of you will know.” He said, his face twisted into a despairing smile as tears ran down the stallions cheek. He sniffed, wiping his nose on his other hoof as he stared at the crystal in his hoof. “None of you. Not the Wonderbolts, not Celestia, Luna or the Caesar. None of you will understand why.” He sniffed again, the tears falling quicker now. The stallion was shaking. “I'm sorry to all of you. I'm sorry to all of the ponies that will be hurt today. I'm sorry sister.” The last one was said in almost a whisper. “You will never understand.” Crying he tossed the crystal into the fire of the engine. Casually almost. Despite the tears, despite the shaking, despite the apology's... he did it. Without hesitation, and without a second thought. Like he was resigned to do this one thing that seemed to be destroying his very spirit. “I'm sorry,” he said quietly, his eyes closing, “but I can't keep my promise.”
An invisible force pulled the ghostly stallion away from the scene as all time seemed to stop. He didn't resist, he didn't fight it, he only looked horrified at was about to happen. He watched himself pleading for this to stop for the wind to pick up and the Crystal to miss. The invisible force pulled him away till he could see the whole train going across the tracks on the side of the cliff. All he could do was watch in fear. Time crawled by. Maybe the crystal was a dud. Maybe the markings hadn't been etched right. It was complex. A hundred things could go wrong. A flaw in the crystal, a marking wrong here, a mistranslation there. It could be a different one, he could have read the runes wrong and misunderstood what was about to happen. There was always the chance he was wrong... he wasn't. Crescents heart stopped as the Crystal exploded.
The pony that tossed it was instantly vaporized.
“NO!” He screamed as he watched the front of the train explode. He watched as metal shot in all directions, derailing the train. The coal and crystals, thrown by the force, flew back towards the rest of the train. In some sick and twisted chain reaction the first Crystal started setting of the crystals that were hidden in the coal. The entire first two carts were gone in a half second. He could see everything. Not just from his vantage point above them, but also in his mind. He saw all the ponies that were injured in the explosion. The ways they all died before being tossed in all directions. Some missing limbs, others torn apart, their forms wiped away entirely. The rest of the train soon followed, one after another.
How many crystals were there? Had they been planted? Set to cause the most damage?
He watched as the carts were blown to pieces, wheels torn off, metal rendered asunder, passenger carts catching fire... so many ponies screaming. Not everyone died instantly. Some ponies tried to jump and Pegasus tried to fly away, but they were either falling down the mountain to their deaths, or their wings were burnt off in the fire, or torn apart by bombarding shrapnel. The caboose of the train finally erupted, setting whatever was left aflame. The train finally derailed entirely, starting to fall off the cliff's edge. Time still moved slowly so Crescent could see every detail, and a lot of it played in his mind as much as his eyes, so he couldn't stop himself from seeing it, even if he wanted to. He saw as the olive collared filly screamed, her scream becoming a gurgling bloody mess as she was pinned to her seat by a pole piercing her gut. She yelled for her mother, the girls eyes wide in abject terror as she watched her mother fall away from her, her body being cooked alive by the violent fire of the explosion. The train became a giant fiery serpent, devouring anyone that was in its way or slowly killing every pony near or in it. It fell far down the mountain, the screams seeming to last forever... Crescent was almost relieved at the final... BOOM.
*
The void. A vast nothingness surrounded the sobbing Crescent Moon as he curled up into a ball. “Why?” The single word was all he could blubber out repeatedly. He felt broken. He laid there, feeling his own self shame and guilt over an action had yet to even do, over an action that for now, was little more than a dream... until he remembered something.
Slowly, Crescent stood up and a small patch of gravel appeared under his hooves. Tears still ran like hot knives down his cheeks. He took a step forward yelling at the top of his lungs. “FUCK YOU! I WILL NEVER LET THIS HAPPEN!” It was a vow to the universe. He began galloping and a path appeared in front of him. “SCREW YOU I WON'T KILL ANY PONY!” He vowed to himself. He cried as he ran down the path until it split into two, a wooden path and a steel path. Without hesitation he ran down the steel path. “YOU DON’T GET TO DO THIS!” He yelled at his future self. He could barely see through the tears as he ran. Soon a stone door with black edged metal and handles appeared. “I WILL FIND A WAY!” He told those that died, slamming into the door, forcing it open. “I WILL SAVE EVERY PONY, NOPONY WILL DIE!” His screams burned his throat as the tears dried on his cheek. Crescent ran with a heart of steel, and a vow to the heavens. He ran into the light.
Author's Note
Thanks Kkat for making the fallout equestria universe and Almanac Pony for help editing the prologue.
Fallout Equestria: Premonition
Chapter 1:
Early in the morning before the moon took to sleep and the sun brought a new day, a young female pegasus woke up unaware that her life was going to take a drastic turn for the worst.
It was the city of Cloudsdale, the mare opened her rose red eyes to the new day.
Arrg is it morning already? I shouldn’t had stayed awake so long last night. ‘Sigh’ I can’t keep staring at the ceiling need to get ready for work. If I wasn’t used to waking up this early, I would be passing out right now.
I mustered all my strength, stood up and shambled up to the bathroom to get ready for the day. Afterwards, I headed to kitchen table to finish up on a project from last night sorting out all the letters her mother had sent to me. My sorting skills are terrible and I was making more piles for myself to work with later.
I don't even know how to sort this. I really need to hire some pony to do it, but then again I don't want them to see these letters.
I find one with a photo attached to it. At least I have a picture of us- aw crap, I forgot to drop of my letter to her yesterday! I'm going to tell her on how I applied for the equestrian royal guard job so I could get transferred closer to where she is stationed. Taking a quick glance, at the clock I realized what time it was and needed to hurry up.
“Okay need to hurry and get ready for the day.” I quickly trotted into my bedroom and with the aid of the mirror braided my blood red hair “No miss mo-hawk today!” then I grabbed my gray Cloudsdale armor. “I hope I don’t have to guard that super loud, super fast, and super annoying blue mare who has a ego the size of the…moon, of the sun?” I stopped trying to put the armor on my silver gray coat to contemplate which sister has the bigger ego.
The zebra stripes that adorn my body make the armor look odd and out of place but it can't be helped. “Thanks dad!” I grumbled as it makes the armor look uneven. At least the glyph of protection on her rump helps, I think it says protection I can't read zebra just looks like a shield to me. As I slid my saddle bags on my helmet fell onto my head. “Okay need to drop the letter off before going to work.”
Knock Knock Knock.
“Hello who is it?” I asked.
A powerful stallion yelled through the door, “THIS IS THE EQUESTRIAN ROYAL GUARD, IS A SILVER HERE?”
“Yes this is Silver.” I answered, trying to match the seriousness in his voice.
“YOUR DUTY IS RE-ASSIGNED PLEASE come out” his voice softened.
Opening the door, I nicely got reminded about my freakishly Luna sized height having to look down at the two lunar bat ponies standing on the porch.
No longer yelling through the door the bat pony on the left informed me “The Princess of the moon Luna has summoned you.”
Oh Celestia this is my big chance, can't screw this up, “Lead on.”
“Squeek Squeek.” The other bat pony responded with a series of high pitch squeaks. Wait?
“Sorry, he lost his translator.” The first bat pony spoke with a look of mild annoyance. The second bat pony nodded his head in confirmation.
“Will this be a short visit or will I need to pack?” I asked with curiosity, looking back into my cloud house.
“It is urgent mam and she would like to get this meeting done before she goes to sleep.” He answers getting ready to take off.
“Okay let's go.” I responded briskly, as the three of us took off.
Unfortunately, due to my large body and great wingspan I’m not the best of fliers. So the two bat ponies that decided to fly right next to me were swatted like a bug.
“WWWWWHHAAAAAAAA” Left bat pony screamed.
“SQUUUEEEAK” Bat pony without a broken helmet followed, as the two where sent spinning away just to return keeping a substantial distance from me.
“Oh sorry.” I had a sheepish smile and batted my wings faster keeping an eye on the lunar guards. This seemed urgent I don't know what is but I'm super excited! Smiling to myself as I started to approach to the castle.
As I approached the palace door the guard on her left suddenly spoke “The princess will meet you in the throne room.”
“Thank you.” I said as I landed on the steps and trotted into the palace.
“Squeak squeak squeeeeak.” The squeaky bat pony said with a raised eyebrow.
As the guards move to leave the left guard hits Mr. squeaky over the head, “ ‘Eherm!’ Be professional”.
Chuckling, I entered the palace snickering to myself, “I think Mr. Squeaky was checking me out.”
Suddenly a wild Luna appeared! Waiting in the entrance hall watching me, weird.
“Ah, good evening.” Luna spoke delicately witch was strange to hear coming from her. That was anti-climatic I was waiting to be blown back by her grand Canterlot voice.
“Good evening Luna.” I bowed before the princess.
“We request your aid. We are to understand that you have put in an application to become a royal guard.” Luna started trotting back towards the throne room.
“Yes your majesty.” I quickened my pace and trotted up beside Luna.
“We have a situation, a high classified pony has done something that deeply enraged our sister and we are worried that he knows something that he is not letting on. We would like you to go and interrogate him and find out any information that you can. You are given a week to do this, for that in a week he is to receive the death sentence-” Luna lowered her head “-which is a first time in a long time in Equestria's history.” She waved away any guards we saw as we walked down the halls.
Also hell yes all I have to do is be a detective cool. “If I may, which methods should I use to question him?” I asked hesitantly, I hoped they don't expect me to get all seductive with him.
“Any you seem fit. WE understand that you are exceptional in hoof to hoof combat so if you need to hurt him go ahead.” She answered taking no time to worry what I might resort to get that information.
Wow, I wonder what he did to piss off the princesses.
“If you do this for us, consider your application to have a high recommendation from us when our sister looks at it. Also, we must ask that you tell no pony of what you are doing for us.” A bat pony ran up with ribbon sealed folder and hoofed it to me.
“I understand it will be completely confidential.” I nodded and packed away the folder
“We have expunged any other work given to you by any other officials this week.” She walked right past the throne room.
I was hoof pumping in my head and tried to mask my sheer enthusiasm.
“As you are talking about him do we already have him in custody?” I was very curious.
“He is currently in the psych ward at Canterlot hospital. We cannot use a regular prison cell and Tia won't tell us why-” I gave an inquisitive look. “-or how she knows him. This mustn't matter now as that he has hurt others he is now a threat to Equestria”.
“If I may interrupt since he is a danger to ponies, is there something I should be concerned about?” Like for example is he deadly?
“He is well skilled in zebra weapon fighting, so keep anything that can be used as a weapon away from him." Luna responded.
Are they using me because I am also part zebra and am I expected to relate to this guy? That's a bit racist if that's the reason for it, but if this gets me a promotion I'll do whatever the princesses ask of me.
“Don't worry princess I excel in hoof to hoof combat, if need be I will unarmed him.” I snapped back into focus.
“That's one of the reasons we chose you.” Luna attempted to reassure me.
Yeah, yeah totally besides being a zebra.
“I would like a report every day at the end of the day of what you have learned and document your findings in the portfolio we will provide you with.” She looked at me to make sure I was not going to dare question it.
Shit I have paperwork. A week's worth of paperwork paper work god no NOO!
“Um Silver is everything okay?” Luna asked, with a concerned expression.
“NO 'ahem' no nothing's the matter. Is there a format I should use in order to document my findings?” I was quick to regain my composure.
“Just bring it to us at the end of the day the hospital it's not too far from the castle. Do you have any more questions?”.
If I do will you make more paperwork?
“Just one last question what is his name.” I needed to know at least his name for now.
“His name is Crescent Moon. All the information we have on him will be in the portfolio.” Luna answered, while rubbing her eyes. “The hospital does not open till nine o'clock so you will have time to read and maybe grab breakfast while you wait. If you need any help feel free to call for assistance from the royal guards. Do you understand?” Luna yawned as we arrived at her room door.
“Yes mam, sorry for keeping you.” I tried to look sorry for keeping her up.
“It's fine but we must ask that after his death you don't speak his name. This is all being kept from the public eye”.
This mission is going to be hidden when done? How will ponies know what I did to get this job then? “I understand. Farewell my princess it was nice to meet you.” I responded and bowed before her.
“You to Silver.” Luna reached out and shook my hoof. Sweet Celestia a princess just shook my hoof and it- felt like any other hoof.
“Before I forget Shining Armor will give you papers in order to get past the guards go get them before you try to see him. You're dismissed.” With that I trotted off and let the princess retire for the day.
Finding a cafe in Canterlot wasn't too hard but finding one that is not overpriced is nearly impossible. 'Le Cheval Faim Cafe' at least has a good view of the sun and enough lighting to read this portfolio. It's very quaintly decorated with shimmering crystals all around the banner. There were white tables and chairs, the brickwork on the building gave it a nice and elegant design.
This place looks so out of my price range but it's the only place that isn't as busy so I can focus on reading the paperwork. Ponies think guard work is about standing there looking strong and beating ponies up. Half of it is reading and writing, but then again this is not guard work.
I was approached by a waiter as she sat at a nearby table grumbling to herself. He had a dark yellow coat with a white mane perfectly combed back and wore a topaz suit.
“My name is Silky Meadows and I will be taking care of you today, what may I get for you today?” The stallion asked eloquently with his Canterlot heavy ascent.
I quickly skimmed over the long list of things on the menu. Shit this is a lot more options than I usually get in the barracks.
“Um, I'll try the apple strudel!” I said with determination as it was not that expensive.
“Madam, you are looking at the the dessert menu. If I may make a suggestion.” He said as he grabbed the menu.
Did he just chuckle at me? Let me guess 'may I suggest the most expensive thing on the menu.
“A black silk double diamond coffee with a berry bouquet muffin.” The waiter suggested.
Ooh sounds delicious and like it will eat all my bits but what the hell might as well. “That sounds pleasant, yes please.”
After bowing he left with my order.
“Let's start this.” Opening up Crescent Moon's portfolio I was quickly disappointed on how empty it is.
Age: Unknown.
What is this no estimate or pictures? Am I interrogating a filly and they don't want to tell me? A baby on death sentence how could they!?
Height and Weight: Average stallion.
He is regular height and weight not a filly phew.
Origin: Zebra lands but no new place of residence.
I didn't know of many ponies that live in the zebra lands.
Family: None.
Well he had to have a mom and dad at one point.
Eyes: Green.
Hair: Back with green tips.
Coat: Deep red.
Cutie Mark: Has a black crescent moon as his cutie mark but as a side note Crescent Moon insists it is not.
“What is it suppose to be a black croissant?” I snickered to myself.
Reason for Detainment: Attempted to destroy a train that was transporting the zebra Caesar. We don't know why and that is why this file is empty. “I still can't figure out why he is in the psych ward instead of jail” That's it and now only another side note must be written by someone higher up:
'Crescent moon has no official job but he works privately for Equestria. His work is to send helpful letters all across Equestria on seemingly random things. Most of what he sends is insightful to the pony that reads receives it but anyone else would think it is gibberish. Every pony he has written to has had their lives improved by him which is why I chose to employ him. He signs the letters with a B. It seems now he has changed and intends to do harm. The reason he is being held in the psych ward is it was the only place I could magically buff before he got back. Strangely, this pony can manipulate zebra magic which is why he need special caging to contain him. If he starts chanting or whispering words you do not understand stop him immediately. I hope you get to the bottom of this Silver.'
What the hell the folder is so thick and it's mostly empty pages and this one says write here. “They gave me too many pages!” I grumbled. Great, now I have to fill all this in or it looks like I'm doing nothing. I'll have to ask so many questions, though they will probably be happy with anything they get. As the waiter walked back, I checked my bag to see if I had enough bits to pay the stallion.
“Miss don't worry about the bill, my manager says it has already been paid for.” The waiter brought my food and hurries off to the next table. I should have bought better food or ordered more if I knew it has was payed for Damn! I ate my delicious muffin and drank my black coffee then I was on my way to Shining Armor’s office.
The barracks were mostly empty this morning everyone was already out doing their patrols or on their designated point. Few of the night guards were turning in and others that had the day off hung around playing games or talking gossip. Shining Armors office was at the top floor at the end of the hall with two guards at it. As I approached, they both nodded to me and let me approach the door.
Knock Knock Knock.
“You may enter.” He sounded tired.
I opened the door and saluted before entering the room.
Shining armor looked busy sifting through the papers on his desk. ”How may I help you?” Shining Armor spoke without looking up from his desk.
“I have been sent by princess Luna-” He cut me off.
“Yes right here.” Shinning armor opens a drawer from his desk and withdraws a paper with Luna's and his royal seal. He floats over the paper to me.
“Thank you sir.” I immediately put them into my bag.
Looking up from his papers Shining Armor glanced at me, “Go downstairs to the armory and switch your armor with an outfit we have put aside for you. We don't know how he will react with a guard trying to interrogate him. Also, if you ever feel in danger you are free to call for the royal guards.”
“I probably have to pose as a psychiatrist or something.” I mumbled, wondering if they even have something my size.
“Hmm, probably” Shining Armor chuckled, “Thinking aloud are we?” He smiled at me pulling a small picture from his general uniform pocket.
“Sorry sir.” I said sheepishly rubbing the back of my head.
“It's ok Twily used to do it all the time don't worry.” He chuckled as he put the picture away.
I stifled a laugh, 'Twily' he must be referring to Celestia's apprentice.
“Silver, you have the highest ranking authority at the hospital. If any of the doctors or guards give you a hard time just show them the paper and they should behave. Do you understand?” He asked.
He was putting me in charge, sweet!
“Yes sir.” I said nearly beaming, I was so happy.
“Good dismissed!” He nodded and I left towards the armory.
Hurrying down to the armory, I changed into the outfit that was left for me. A white button up blouse with a black pencil skirt. A stallion whistled, as others watched me change. This might had bothered any other mare but I was used to it. Once done I hastily left before they start asking me out or attempted to make a move. What kind of clothes are these?! Are they expecting me to go off and sleep with him? Whatever gets the job done I guess.
I trotted over to the crowded hospital that was several block away. As I entered, I starts spotting badly hidden guards among the staff and patients. That is one buff nurse and I think that one has a tattoo hiding under his sleeve.
“ 'Cough cough' ” A stallion guard starts pretending to be sick by doing the worst fake cough ever.
My god it wouldn't surprise me if half these 'sick' ponies were guards. Really? They need this much protection for one pony and there sending me in by myself unarmed. From my description he sounds pretty mundane and boring.
“Hello,” A small white nurse with a light blue mane is sitting behind the reception desk. l realized I must have been lost in thought and probably had been standing here for a while. “How may I help you?” the nurse was smiling at me.
“The princess has sent me to talk to Cr-” I was cut off by the nurse.
“Ppssssshhhhhhh” The small nurse waved her hoof at me shushing me. “Him, yes go down the hall to your right till you find the double doors on your left. Then go all the way at the end of the hall you should see a door on your right that says psych-ward. Go down the stairs and the guards will meet you there.
“Thank you.” I just trotted off.
I followed her instructions down to the psych-ward. The halls had less guards then the front but they were still terribly hidden. Walking down the hall, I did see a few patients who weren't guards and decided to keep my distance. One even followed me sniffing for a bit until a nurse redirected her back to her room. Eventually, I found the door but had to duck my head to go through it. As I walked down the steps towards the psych-ward the music from upstairs faded away into an eerie silence. The lights seemed to be dimmer down the stairs as well. The squeaky clean marble flooring turned into a harsh concrete floor and the walls transitioned into a murky brown paint. Am I walking into a dungeon?
At the bottom of the stairs, I spotted three guards in a dugout on the side of the hallway. One sat at a desk in the dugout looking bored ass hell. The other two were on the floor playing some card game. The brown unicorn stallion at the desk imminently looked up at me as I walked up to his desk.
“Finally, someone has come are you the next shift?” He moved to get up but stopped when I shook my head.
“I'm Silver, I am suppose to talk to the 'crazy'.” My words made him slump back into his chair and resume his grumpy pose.
“Be careful yesterday he got very violent.” The stallion says then rubbed his jaw. None of them had name tags. “He was fine the previous three days doing absolutely nothing calm as a butterfly, just sat there mumbling to himself. Nothing out of the ordinary for crazies or needing to raise alarm, but yesterday he started screaming his head off saying that he will curse us and that terrible things will happen to us.”
“Do you know what triggered it?” Surely something had to happen for his mood to change so drastically.
“If we knew that we would have removed it but after that, none of us are going near the cell.” The brown stallion gestures towards the two stallions beside his desk playing cards. Both are pretty big in there uniforms although the orange stallion with the black and blue eye looks like he is winning whatever card game they're playing.
“Did he experience anything out of ordinary that day?" I asked knowing that something had to have triggered it.
“Nope.” Shaking his head the brown guard answers. “So you know if they're going to send in those reinforcements?” Damn he was really desperate for the next shift.
“No, sorry.” I looked at the orange guard with the black and blue eye. For buck's sake these guys are wusses a black eye that's it.
“Hey, if he starts rambling shit, hoof him in the face!” the orange stallion said, aggravated at something past my knowledge. “Him and his fucking curses.”
“Did hitting him work for you?” I tilted my head over trying to figure out what game they're playing.
“Didn't get to him in time!” the guard grumpily responded.
“Well I should get going before it gets too late.” I said gesturing with my hoof down the hall.
“Spend as much time as you want but if you wish to go in the cell we will have to chain him up.” He was quite excited at that idea.
“I don't want to make him too uncomfortable yet, I'll just stand outside the room talking to him through the slider.” I frowned at the orange guard, “How did he hit you if he was tied up?”
Looking up and pointing his free hoof at his eye, “He didn't hit me.”
“Then how did your eye get black and blue.” I waved my hoof at his eye.
“I was walking home and a wooden beam swung down and hit me in the face, it's the curse I say!” He imitated a swinging beam hitting his face, with his hoof.
“Since you where not paying attention to where you were walking you think it's the curse?” I raised my eyebrow with suspicion.
“That wire should have never broken. I know ponies says that curses don't exist but when all five of us get hit with something-” He glared at me.
“That doesn't make you cursed that makes you unlucky.” I cut him off and gave him a flat look in return.
The guard pointed his hoof at me ,“You will see for yourself when he curses you!”
“I'll be nicer than you and we will see.” I gave him a smug smile in return. Maybe if I allure him he won't 'curse me'.
Without another word I walked down the hall towards the only door with a name tag on it. This door just so happens to be the last one down the hall with a light flickering outside it every so often. Several magical markings etched around the door. I approached the steel door with a small slider, sliding it open. I noticed that the prisoner is off to the side of this well lit cell drawing strange glyph markings. He is using his own blood to write it on the stone walls. I hesitated, creepy start but okay let's do this.
*Knock knock knock*
“Hello Crescent Moon I'm here to talk to you.” I desperately tried to hide my uneasiness.
The bloody hoof leaves my small field of vision, a tired and worn down stallion calls out “Hello, Silver.”
“You know my name! How do you know my name?” That's creepy. I nervously took a step away from the door.
“Silver could you please get me a glass of water it's very dry in here.” He asked while staying outside my field of vision.
Stepping back up to the door, I resumed searching around for him. “I can throw water in there but I can't' give it to you because I can’t get in-”.
“Oh come on, it's dry in here.” He whined back at me.
“You might use the glass of water to cut me with.” I frowned with irritation as I couldn’t find him.
“I'm dying in here Silver” He kept whining.
“Seriously how do you know my name!?” I leaned back from the door.
“I knew you were coming” He dry chuckled as he responded.
“How? How much do you know about me?” I started to take notes.
Suddenly a pony tongue appeared in the looking visor!
*SMACK*
“Ow my tongue” He said as the tongue disappeared back into the cell.
I growled, “Don't stick out your tongue at me!” I heard him move from the door and his hoof go back to drawing on the wall. “What are you doing? I am trying to talk to you.”
Calmly he mumbled, “Thinking, thinking a lot actually.”
“Why are you thinking so much? I'm here to talk to you and get to know you but you probably know that already.” I surveyed the area again but couldn’t find him so I leaned back not wanting him to lick my eye.
He paused, “No, I honestly didn't know why you were here. Just figured you come to execute me or something.”
“No! I'm here to talk to you not kill you.” I said while frowning. He expected me to kill him?
“That's great! I didn't want to fight you anyways.” He responded.
“You must have heard good things about me.” I added as he sounded weary about potentially having to fight me.
“I've seen you fight.” He retorts, nonchalantly.
Has he been stalking me? “How in the hell did you see me fight? I normally stay in Cloudsdale. You are a earth pony, you can't walk on clouds!” I affirmed.
“You did training in Equestria's capital Canterlot.” He stated, smugly.
“That means that you were also in Canterlot, is that how you know princess Celestia?” I asked.
Crescent Moon chuckled, “Hehe, it might be a long hall out there but I know they can still hear us talk.”
“I'll tell them to go away for now if you want.” I got up and looked down the hall to see the three guards getting up. The brown one has picked up the bag from underneath his desk and is floating it beside him. “And don't try to run away or else you won't get far.” I reached up to close the visor.
“Can I have that glass of water?” Crescent Moon pleads.
“NO! You can stick your tongue out and I'll pour water into your mouth.” I retorted.
“That's what I was doing before and you smacked me.” He whimpered.
“I'll be back, then we can talk in private.” I stated as I closed the slider muting the pony inside and started walking back to the guards, “Hey can you guys move to the top of the stairs he doesn't want to tell me anything while you guys are here.”
“That's why we were offering to let you into the room. The door is magically sound proof. We think he might have figured that out.” The guards stop in front of me.
“Could I get a cup of water in a plastic cup? He wants some water.” I stated to the guards. I fear if I don't get him his water he wont stop his annoying whines.
“Yes mam.” The gray Pegasus guard said as nodded and ran off.
“If you will wait here we will go tie him up so you can go in.” The guards start walking with me back to Crescent Moon's cell.
“Will he resist? If I tell him he is getting water out of this he might behave.” I pondered aloud.
“We would prefer if we surprise him so he doesn't make a run for it, but if you think it helps you can give it a try. Don't come crying to me if you get caught in the crossfire.” The brown unicorn gestured towards the door.
I trotted over and opened the sliding visor and heard him humming inside. “Just so you know in order for me to give you water I will have to go in there and in order to go in there you will have be restrained. So don't do anything stupid.”
“Come on don't restrain me it's stuffy in that thing.” He whines back still unable to be seen.
“I don't care if it's stuffy it's the only way I'm allowed in there.” I barked back.
“Fine” He grumbled.
“Just behave so they don't think I'm letting you out and don't try to run for it or I will take you down.” I closed the visor and looked back at the two guards who were standing behind me, “Go ahead.”
The guards step past me and open the door just enough to fit through.
“Hey guys what's up!” Crescent Moon happily called out.
The door closes behind them and I waited in silence staring at the magical markings on the door.
The gray pegasus guard returned with the plastic cup of water.
“Thanks.” I took the cup with in my mouth and he responded with a salute. After a few seconds I might have snuck in a tiny sip of water.
The two guards walk back out of the room and got ready to redo the lock on the door.
The unicorn was rubbing his jaw on the way out. Shit he hit him what the buck?!
The guard leaned over and whispered into my ear, “Knock four times to leave.”
I nodded and entered the cell, spotting him on the other side of the room. He had a iron mask on along with all four of his hooves in shackles. He is bound with a strait jacket and a collar keeping him upright against the wall by a metal ring embedded into the wall. Along with two bars, one keeping his back hooves spread apart and the other across his back making sure he can't move his front hooves, that are already bound with the strait jacket. Finally his tail is wrapped up and clamped together.
“Oh geez they really did a number on you. I figured they would just chain you to the wall but they went all loony strait jacket on you.” I frowned and slowly approached. The door closed as I entered the cell then a magical shimmer went across the door as the lock clicked. “Why are you quiet?” I stayed by the door while watching him.
*Pop* What was that?
*Pop* I watched as the bars fall off.
*Pop pop pop* The chains fall off one by one leaving him completely unrestrained, the mask falling off with it. I saw the 'fucked up pony' that is Crescent Moon.
“Bastards.” Crescent Moon sits there and gently rubs the new bruises that seem to blend with the countless scars all over his body.
“What did they do to you, did they hit you?” I examined the bruises and saw that they were recent.
“Well no shit, they don't exactly like me.” Crescent growled back.
“Oh, because you gave them a 'voodoo curse' oh the horror.” I said sarcastically while waving my hooves around.
Crescent Moon chuckled.
“For fucks sake if you get hit in the eye for something that stupid, it's not a curse” I retorted.
“I didn't actually curse him but bad things happen to pony when they worry too much or don't pay attention to what's around them.” Crescent smiled as he moved off the wall and stretched.
“Ya the guards were probably paranoid about the things you said to them so they were not paying attention.” I lowers my hooves and starts taking notes again.
“All I said was-” he switches to the zebra language“- oggi boogie woogie I curse you oogie boogie gooo.” he said while waving his arms around.
I fell over laughing, “Bet you said the curse part in pony language.”
“Nope.” Crescent moon leans up against the wall.
“Shouldn't they have a zebra translator when dealing with the zebra.” I said, after calming down from my small laughing fit.
“They do but he isn't here right now. ” Crescent smiles as he sat down in the corner of the room.
“I don't get it you are suppose to be very terrifying and a danger to Equestria but you have been a little annoying at most.”
“That is because I took down sixteen engineers, the train conductor, and almost set of a bomb that could have killed around one hundred fifty ponies.” Crescent tried to get comfortable in the corner.
“Well I guess trying to kill hundreds of pony will do it.” I frowned and leaned a little away from him.
“I was only aiming for the zebra Caesar and three of his advisers. I just brought too many explosives” Crescent shrugs, “and that has caused this.” He waved his hoof around the room to all the markings in the room. Slowly, he walked to the middle of the room and picked up the glass of water. “Thanks by the way” Crescent Moon picked up the cup and slowly drinks the water.
“If you try to stab me with that cup I will be very pissed and surprised.” I cautiously back away from him more.
Crescent moon smiles, “So miss Silver, how are you today?”
I'm taken aback by the question, “I'm fine I guess.”
“Silver, could you be honest with me, am I going to die in a few days.” His tone changes.
“I can't do anything about that. Maybe I can do something if you talk, but I don't know what to ask.”
“Sadly it doesn't matter because since I messed up everyone is going to die.” HE curls up into a ball.
“Now we're hitting the cryptic shit to freak me out. Can you elaborate a little?” I cringed.
“Fine, I needed to kill the four zebras including the Caesar and three of his advisers so the could not help end the world.” His voice starts cracking.
“Do you have anything leading you to believe that they were going to hurt ponies. I doubt four zebras can as you say 'end the world.' ” I makes sure to write all this information down.
“You would be surprised how much one zebra or pony can change the world.” He faced away from me, “Because I fucked up the world is going to end.”
“Why do you sound so depressed. If were going off what you said those zebras will end the world not you.” I attempted to explain.
“Are you believing me?” Crescent Moon raises his head a little.
“I'm telling you not to blame yourself when you did nothing wrong. I'm no psychiatrists but I know that's what they would say. Just because you could not stop that doesn't mean you started it.”
“That's all hypothetical to you isn't it.” He spun back around to look back at me.
“Doesn't matter if it is true. So don't beat yourself over a dead horse.” I countered looking up at him.
“So you believe me?” he smiles with a hint of hope in his face.
“I just met you and I'm not going to believe everything you say, especially how crazy it sounds. But I'll hear you out if you want to talk.” I rolled my eyes as I attempted to brighten up the mood.
The conversation went on for a couple of hours. I went over and edited his bio during that time and even put down a few notes. During that time he warned me that 'Twiglet Sparcal' (He tricked me into writing that) is in dire danger. Unfortunately, he didn't say more as to see if I can get a plea bargain in exchange for the information. I learned is that his cutie mark starts with a 'T' which I took a couple of guesses at but was unable to figure it out. Crescent Moon even had the nerve to ask me to aid him in escaping that I immediately shot down.
“So let me understand, Celestia is afraid of a adolescent red dwarf pony-” I said amid reviewing my notes.
“Hey! I'm only a half inch under a regular stallion height Mrs. colossus-” Crescent Moon mutters “- and I'm not that young, you are only three years older than me.”
“Yeah whatever, what time is it?” Frowning, I looked around for any indication of time.
“No idea but if you leave I have to get back in those chains again.” He pouts.
“I'll help you for fucks sake, I'll tie you up.” I replied.
“It's not that hard.” He stands against the wall and re-locks his tail.
“What? How the fuck?” I watched in shock.
Crescent Moon smiles as the green in his mane and eyes start to glow. Small magic strands start coming out of his coat and grabbing the restraints. First the jacket, then the collar, next the chains, and finally the bars. The helm slowly floats up and stops in front of his face. “Now if you excuse me I won't be able to talk once I put this thing back on. Also the latch is on the side. One more thing before you visit Luna you should get your jacket it’s going to pour out.” Smiling at me he puts the mask back on.
“What the fuck? .... um ok bye weird pony.”
I went home arranged my notes and made sure everything was written down. My friend Solar Flare visited for a while. Had a great talk with her, unfortunately I am terrible at keeping secrets and accidentally informed her that I was on a secret mission for Luna but no details for her. I left my house but not before giving Crescent Moon the benefit of the doubt and bringing my jacket with me. Thank Celestia that I did that, there is was rough storm from the Everfree that came down on canterlot. When I tried to hand in my report, Celestia was still on the throne and made me use the ceremonial blow-horn outside Luna's door. Luna opened the door with her messed up mane looking furious and took the bio book from me before slamming the door shut. After that ordeal I went back home, cleaned up and went to bed.
I woke up to some strange shuffling in my living room. Okay Silver, act like you're sleeping and when they come in I'll take them down. After a few seconds I heard the person leave her house. Okay fuck that was scary! Need to check everything. Searching the entire house I couldn't find anything missing except my favorite pair of velvet purple panties. This wasn't a normal theft all my shit is still here except for my panties. They could have been here to steal the portfolio, could have been someone from Crescent Moons group. Great it's early as hell and now I have to go to Luna and debrief her on my finding from yesterday “FUCK!”
Upon visiting Luna she only wanted to discuss the properties of his magic. After the hour long visit I grabbed a quick bite to eat before going back to the hospital. Sadly, it wasn't free today as she learned that Mr. B paid for her meal last time. Damn it today sucks I could only afford a bagel it feels like it's going to be 'one of those days'.
Walking down the psych-ward I spot the familiar three guards.
“I'm going inside the room to talk to him. Don't bother restraining him it won't work. He got out of it yesterday when I was in there.”
The guards jump up and follow, “Shit not again.” The orange guard slammed the bag of restraints on the ground with irritation. “Silver the password is six knocks.”
I stop and hush them.
“I want to see what he does in there when he thinks he is alone.” She reaches up and silently slides the slider open.
“No that won't work maybe this, um nope.” The blood symbols on the wall are all arranged differently and it seems as though he can move them with only a touch of his hoof and a little glow of his mane. Looks like some kind of blood magic creepy voodoo necromancer.
Crescent moon screamed like a little girl and spun to look at me.
“I saw that.” Smiling, I closed the slider.
The guards walk up and opened the door.
In the room the wall is set up is back the way it looked yesterday, no blood symbols.
The guards close the room behind us.
“You liar... how did you do that?” I said as I point at the lack of blood marking on the wall.
“Do what?” Crescent said, while sitting in the middle of the room.
“I saw you, you can't lie to me. Moving blood with your hooves that's not normal. Anyways do you know who stole my panties?” I said while glaring at him.
“Pfffffff what someone stole your panties? And the first thing you did was ask me about it.” He stifled a laugh.
“Someone stole my panties and I think they might be with you or some 'friends' of yours” I point at him accusingly.
“Nope not me or my people.” He shook his head.
After thanking him for the food yesterday. I poked fun of his height for a while goofing off for a bit. Unfortunately all these fun conversations didn't last.
“I told you the world is going to end and you won't believe me.” He sat up.
“Do you know how?” I flipped the page.
“Yes, but you would never understand.” He said as he lowered his gaze.
“Give me the dumb downed version.”
“We're all going to burn, we're going to kill each other, we're going to kill each other's children, and do you know what we're it's all for nothing. Fucking nothing.” He started shaking and was almost in tears.
I underlined every letter in his statement on my notes.
“You are being so dramatic, it's not like it has already happened.”
“You haven't seen what I have seen I will defy fate!” He said trying to calm down.
“So the end is nigh.” I raised my eyebrows and frowned.
“Not if we stop it.” He declared.
“Okay I need to ask different questions.” I review my notes.
“It would be great if you helped.” He smiles at her.
“No, I need this promotion and I can't trust what you are saying is truthful. If all you say is true then you know that you will leave this place right?”
“No I have seen my own death to many times to count.” He sighed.
Need to ask more questions but they didn't give me a list of things I should ask. There is way too many empty pages in this portfolio. “So any hint on the twilight in danger.”
“Nope, I told you yesterday some of my visions are useful and some are very unimportant and don't give me shit to work with.”
“What do you you do in your spare time?” I pout at the lack of info.
“I write letters, and reflect on what I have seen in my visions.” He looked around the room “I meditate in order to look upon my memory of it.”
“Fine, how? Show me.” I asked while crossing my hooves.
He sits there and bites his front left hoof and starts making a circle with his blood “This is a standard meditation ci-”.
Wow their land must be so dirty from all the blood they use. Actually they probably don't need to use blood. They maybe could use chalk or paint. That's it I will get him a plastic cup of paint so he won't cut himself anymore.
“- and now sitting in the completed circle you sit there and enter your own mind and soul.” He breathed in and out slowly.
It got boring after a little just watching him meditate.
“STOP!” I jumped in horror as he opened his eyes and blood is running down his cheek. I walked up to him apprehensively then poked his cheek *poke* no reaction *poke* eww I got blood on me from poking his eye, wow he really is out of it.
“Um guards.” I say as I tried to find something to wipe the blood off.
The metal door instantly swings open and two guards rush in to restrain Crescent Moon.
“I didn't do this.” I backed away from the two.
He is like a doll as the guards restrain him against the wall.
“Mam we need your bags there has been a breach in security.” The stallion holds out his hoof.
“What?! Here you go.” I hooved over my saddlebags.
“I'm going to need you to put these on.” He cuffs me in iron cuffs.
“Why cuff me? What the hell there is a breach in security and you suspect me of doing something wrong by sitting here talking to him?” I whined as all my four hooves are cuffed.
“Until you are cleared.”
After cuffing me they walk up to the door and knocked nine times and left.
So what? I got here tried to do Luna's bidding and get cuffed? I pout sitting there cuffed and trying to wipe clean the blood off her hoof with no avail.
Crescent Moon suddenly gasps and starts to take of the restraints.
“AAarrrg my eyes! What the hell?!” He exclaimed.
“There was a breach in security. Can you take my things off?” I hold up my cuffs.
Still having blood in his eyes he starts taking off his bindings, “You want me to take of your clothes?! I mean that's an unusual practice of interrogation but I'm not complaining if you have to-”
“NO MY CHAINS!!!” I shook my front cuffs in front of his face. “I have a feeling that anyone that becomes friends with you is hated.”
He finally gets freed and quickly starts rubbing the blood from his eyes.
“My eyes they burn!” After he splashes water from the cup and cleans his eyes he walks over then with a tap of his hoof, a whisper of magic, and a glow of hair and eyes he frees me.
“You also have lock picking magic. Do you invent magic as you go?” I stared in confusion as the cuffs fall off.
“Yes for the first on and no for the second one. Have to learn lots more than a regular unicorn in order to cast a spell. I have had great deal of practice with this spell since helping ponies isn't the most honest job sometimes.”
“Now we're here stuck because one of your friends has probably decided to get you out.” I waited by the door.
“Nah probably not.” He rubbed his head.
The door visor opens and I am shocked when I see myself, “Didn't know I had a clone!”
“EQUESTRIAN ROYAL GUARD!!” The Silver on the other side of the door yells in.
“Equestrian royal guard! Wait I'm not a royal guard yet.”
“Will be once this job is finished.” The other Silver responded.
“Thanks future me!” I say to my other self.
“You will be sharing the same sentence of Crescent Moon's.”
Real me snarks back, “Wow future me is such a bitch. Is this what happens when we become royal guards? That sucks I don't want to become that.” I looked back at Crescent Moon whom face hooves.
“It's illegal to impersonate a royal guard.” Other me points out.
“Are you trying to make me not look like me.” I growled.
“I don't have to do anything. I visited Shining Armor yesterday and he gave me this.” Other Silver pulls out the official royal seal from Shining Armor and Luna. I suddenly realized what was stolen from me that morning.
“You fucker! I'll talk to my mother because my mother knows me best.” Crescent Moon just sits in the back continuously facehoofing. “Mother knows me, she doesn't know some stuck up bitch who is pretending to be her daughter! Now if you don't mind I'm going to give my report to the royal sisters on how one of his assistants could impersonate a royal guard, future royal guard.”
Other Silver puts the paper away, “Also there was a witness to see you break in my house and steal my stuff.”
“Screw you you're going to take my promotion away from me you bitch! I don't care if you hate him but you're screwing me of my promotion!” I stomp down on the floor.
“You mean MY promotion!” Other Silver growls back.
“Can you make this bitch shut up.” I spun back to Crescent Moon.
“Love to but cant do anything.” He shrugged.
“Do you mean shutting me up like how he killed all sixteen engineers and the train conductor. “ Other Silver growled.
“BULLSHIT!!” he screamed back.
“Just join me in ignoring the bitch, don't give her any attention.” He scowled at the other Silver.
“Fine I'll just tell the guards to ignore you and not feed you!” Other Silver slammed the door visor closed.
“They're not going to even test if I'm the real me.” I complained.
“Not as long as she has that paper, and by the way how do you lose a paper that important.” He poked my chest.
“I forgot about it and it's not my fault the guard didn't ask about it. They should go to jail to for being incompetent.”
“They probably will.” He got up and starts walking around.
“Going to tell my mom, if I could.” I pouted.
“Unless the other you tells her first. And then she will look out for her as though she was you.”
He burst out laughing, “HA! You're on death row with me.”
“How?” I said, with a hint of concern.
“Aiding a criminal.” He said flatly.
“I was just talking to you, that’s all just doing my job.” I aggravatingly stated.
“Yep, but you could have been trying to help me bust out.” He countered.
“I haven't done anything yet!” I argued back.
“Nope. This is someone taking your life from you.” He shrugged, then cuts his arm and went back to work on plotting strange glyphs on the wall.
“Now you have to help me in order to live.” I said sarcastically while impersonating Crescent Moon.
“Nope you don't have to help me, just if you want to get out of here I would need help.” He said smiling, then pressed on one of the symbols on the wall and the whole arrangements of symbols appear the way it was this morning.
“So then, who was your friend?” I glared at him.
“No idea, and they are not my friend she probably targeted you for being nice to me.” He shrugged.
“I was doing this for a promotion!” I slammed my hooves down on every word.
“Hah! Who got screwed over now.” He spinned around to face me just in time for my hoof to connect to his face.
“OW! What was that for?” He yelped in pain and puts a little distance between me.
“I'm not a guard anymore so now I can hit you as much as I want!” I jumped at him just for him to dodge and have my hoof connect to the wall. He tumbled and picked up his helmet up and slid it over his hoof. I pounced at him and tried to pound on him but used the damn helm as a shield.
“You fucker give me that!” I yanked the helm off his hoof.
Suddenly he moves faster than I could see. Clank! His shackles suddenly clamped down on all four of my hooves and he slid to a stop behind me.
“YOU ASSHOLE!” I threw the helm at him only for him to duck it.
“Don't attack me and expect me to do nothing about it.” He spun around and hissed back at her.
“You were laughing at me for this bullshit, I'm going to die with you and will never get my promotion!” I struggled with the chains.
“I was laughing because you're in the same situation as me.” He corrected.
“YOU KILLED PONIES!” I yelled in his face.
“I DIDN'T KILL THEM!” He stood his ground.
We both sat there glaring at each other.
I fight with the chain for a bit, “Take me out of these damn chains! I'm a damn lady and you're a gentleman.”
“Tartarus no! Now, if you will excuse me I need to think of a new plan.” Slowly, he turns around and starts working on the glyphs again.
“This is not funny, my hooves are killing me. These shackles are not made for ponies like me.” I grumbled.
“Only after you promise me you will not hit me I will let you go.” He glanced back.
“Fuck you! my hoof wants to go up your face.” I test how far I can raise my hoof.
“If you try that I'll hit you hard enough with this to knock you out.” He bounces the restraint bar on his back.
“That's why you're the villain!” I pointed out.
“I have seen you take a pony's head off with those hooves so I won't let you hit me.” He continued his work.
“I have taken ponies heads off? When?” I smirked and jabbed at the air a few times. “Okay mister smarty pants how do we get out of here?”
“No idea.” he shrugged.
“Then what are you doing?” I pointed out the obvious marking he has been working on.
“Well now that you are stuck in here with me guess there is no harm in telling you.” He smiled as he finished the glyph he was working on.
Looking around this ten by ten by fourteen foot cell I would guess that either the toilet or the light in the ceiling is the weakest point. Walking over, I looked at the toilet and frowned noticing it’s an air toilet, why that's just not fair. “Shit the bottom of it has a damn magic circle.” I frown walked away from the toilet.
“Yep just like the one on the door and please don't break it cus I don't want to spend the rest of my days without a toilet.” He walked beside me and released my cuffs.
“The light is probably the weakest point” I examined the ceiling.
“Maybe, but we won't know that till we can see the barrier.” He layed down on the floor.
“I could help you write the pattern glyphs then.” I thrusted my hoof at him.
Suddenly, he swings the pipe down with a nice ping as it hits the floor. I cringed as a small stream of blood suddenly starts dripping down my hoof.
“BUCK! that hurt why didn't you let me hit the wall with my hoof to make myself bleed. Also, what good will the be I can't command blood like you”.
“Firstly, doing that would only hurt the wall. Second, that would never make you bleed enough. And finally, I can't command blood either so I'm going to take a nap for a little while you do that. Night!” Curling up he fell asleep.
I grumbled to myself as I started drawing the markings on the walls.
I'm too young to be a traitor, should have done something fun like robbed a bank or something cool like that. Well at least helping him gets me the hell out of here I hope. Hmm he looks uncomfortable let's just move him to rest against the toilet. I reached over and gently grabbed him, he jumps up and swing his metal bar at me. “SHIT!” I backed up and watches the bar slam against the ground.
“Hey don’t hit me or i’ll kick your ass!” I raised my hooves.
“I said sorry geez! So how did it come out.” He walked over to the center of the room and started cleaning up the meditation circle from yesterday.
“Did quite a bit. I don’t want to stay here any longer!” I whined as I watched him work.
“Let's see if we can find it.” Smiling, he sat down and closed his eyes.
The whole room is enveloped in red light, symbols on walls glow and the barrier became visible. It looks like we were inside a big lamp or a glass room. Magic veins on the wall started to show themselves a beautiful blue against the red. Veins seemed to be everywhere in the room but as they came into focus I could see that some were more concentrated than other parts.
“Ha! I was right.” I smiled to myself.
“What? You didn't say anything.” He started releasing the magic.
“The weak point is on the ceiling, and I did say that while you were sleeping you agreed to pay me too if I got you out” I grinned.
“WHAT?! Actually, fine I'll pay you once we're out of here.” He glared at her.
I glanced at the light, “When do want to do this?”
“Anytime you want.” He stood up and got ready, picking up the two metal bars.
“Does the tiny pony need help getting up?” I sticked out my tongue.
“I will be fine just start.” he grumbled back.
I flied to the ceiling and slammed my front hooves against the glass, shattering into plastic fragments. The edges of my hair singed as I fell down twitching.
“Shit” He tossed his pipes and slid underneath me.
*THUMP*
“Ow” I slowly rolled off his chest.
Suddenly the power flickers.
“Might want to hurry up they probably know what we're doing.”
“Give me minute I just fried myself.” I shook my head as small plums of smoke came out of my hair.
He ran to the door tapped a small glowing area and a zebra glyph appears on the wall.
“That should give us a little time!”
After stretching a little bit I extended my wings and started to ascend the room.
*BANG BANG BANG*
The door shook violently on its hinges.
“ANYTIME NOW!” He said urgently.
Hearing his complaining I pointed one hoof to the ceiling and pulled the other back. This is going to hurt, the roof cracks as I slammed my hoof through the ceiling. The pain feels like a ursa major playing drums on my arms. Debris and blood came down as I smashed my way past the ceiling.
“Um wow.” He stands astonished at the display.
Suddenly, a floor tile uptop shattered and the light from first floor shined into the cell.
“Yes!” I am almost there need to make it bigger then go back and get him. The door slammed open as I finished bashing it open.
“THANKS!”
Why is he than- ow ow ow owow. Looking back she could see that Crescent Moon had hoped up and bit down on my tail! The three guards run in and looked up at us shocked. Flying through the hole I tossed Crescent Moon off my tail and onto the floor. That asshole bit my tail, I tried to comb it better but the braid is beyond repair for now. Did he take some of my tail off? “What the-”
“No time for complaining, time to go.” He said, as that a group of guards entered the first floor hallway and blocked the way we needed to go. We turned around and started running.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“Storage room.” He answered as we tuned into another hall.
“Why in the right mind are we going there for!?” I asked, confused if this even part of his plan.
“TRUST ME!”
As he said that a pegasus guard jumped at me from the next hall with his spear aimed for my leg. I brought my right hoof back and maneuvered my left hoof across steping on the spear tip breaking it in half. I threw the sharp end to Crescent Moon.
“Fhanks.” He said with a newly acquired spear head in his mouth.
Just for good measure my left hoof went right back up to the poor guard's jaw knocking him out for good. Taking the spear tip he subdued the other guard with a slap from the flat of the blade against his windpipe. Shit more guards at the end of the hall.
“FWOOO OON FHE FEWAY” he yelled something with the spear tip in his mouth but hell if I know what he said.
Two more guards with their swords appear at the end of the hall running at us. He slammed into two of them stabbing the right legs of one and tripping the other. While the last one is distracted I ran towards the other guard and slid towards him smacking him square in the jaw.
“Quick, up the stairs!” he shouted as he rushed up the stairs.
“Any idea why we haven't seen anyone since two floors ago?” I checked again behind me and yep no one.
“Celestia probably ordered the guards to keep it low key if something happened so my guess, we're fucked if we don't hurry.” Spotting the storage room he barged in.
“Why are we he-”
Movement from behind shit! Spinning, I grabbed the sneaking guard and smash him down to the ground.
We spotted a mob of guards started advancing from behind.
“Needed more time.” He started looking around the storage room.
I carefully placed my hoof on the downed guard's neck, “I have a hostage and I'll break his neck if you come any closer.”
All the guards stop advancing towards them except one. A medium black stallion took one step ahead of everyone, that unicorn was an officer.
“You have nowhere to go. We have the building blocked off so no more running just come quietly and no one needs to get hurt.” The stallion said as he took a step forward with a smug look on his face.
After applying a little pressure on our downed guard, he stops advancing and horn starts to glow.
A spear tip suddenly starts flying at him and embeds itself into his horn causing the stallion to scream and stagger back into the sea of guards.
“NO MAGIC!” Crescent Moon screamed.
Guess he was keeping an eye on me along with whatever the fuck he was doing in there.
“Hurry up!” I urged him.
“Don't worry she won't do it.” The fake Silver stated.
She walked past her peers as regal and imposing as if she was Luna herself.
“Don't worry I'll catch the imposer and recapture the crazy. Fake Silver you are charged with assaulting an officer, destruction of public property, assault with a dangerous weapon, theft of government documents, impersonating an officer, and stealing my fucking identity!” She stomped her hoof down.
“Oh you're trying to make me look like the fake now are you. Changeling blood looks different so if I wasn't one my blood wouldn't be red wouldn't it?” I held up her bloody hoof “See it's red she is the fake!” Frowning the other Silver cuts herself on one of the guards blades. The blood is also red. What? but he told me changeling blood is green.
Damn, how am I supposed to prove that- Interrupting my thoughts Ms. Fake changed into a blur that slammed into my chest making me tumble back. Back on my hooves and ow my chest feels like a train hit it. Ms. Fake grabbed the unconscious stallion and got ready to toss him back. As fast as lightning she dropped the guard and launched her self to the side of the hallway. A whistles is heard. Several guards yelled in pain as a bone spear appeared on the wall at the other end of the hall. Blood burst out of two rows of guards from cuts down their sides. Some of the guards took advantage of the situation and rush to grab the hostage. No we still need his stupid ass. Standing up I rushed back to the hostage just to be kicked into the hallway wall by a really annoying fake me.
Three more whistles. What? how? Pulling myself out of the wall that bitch was waiting for me, too bad I was ready for her this time. She swung her front hooves at me and landed a few good hits. She lunged her left front leg at me which I punched her joint away from me followed by smacking my elbow to her face. Taking a quick glance, Crescent Moon has the hostage and the guards are all under cover attempting to avoid the strange spear. Guess he is finally doing something useful.
Yep, definitely regretted looking away as that bitch took my front right leg and tossed me. Spreading my wings, I stop in mid air just for her to buck me against the other wall. Not sure which hurts worse right now my front legs or my body. Dropping off the wall that bitch missed me on the second hit. Reaching out, I grabbed her tail and yanked her off the wall and smash her down on her back. Let's see if this bitch can take the same beating as me. Jumping on top of her I start drilling at her face with my front hooves. Quickly, she brought her hooves up in defense but unlike me she wasn't deflecting the punches but simply covering herself. Payback's a bitch bitch bitch!! Slamming on her front legs fake Silver started to whimper in pain. HA Hahahahahaha oh. As I sat there pounding on her legs she reached up and grabbed my head with her back legs. Then slammed my skull into the ground. Ow now I get to add a migraine to the mix.
Standing was a little tough but she is having trouble getting up aswell. Probably fractured one of her legs, not that she is any worse then I am now. Whatever Crescent is doing he needs to hurry.
“This is enough!” Fake Silver screamed, as she readied her wings up and lunged at me.
Guess me flying up in return wasn't in her plan when she charged at me. Her look up at me was priceless before the double hoof buck she was given. Finally, to put icing on the cake she slid on her face till she reached the wall.
She got up and bolted at me in a blink hitting my chest as I was hovering. I was unable to keep up something was different. It was like time stops just to hold me there so she could pound on me. Then it hit me all at once. The pain made having a train hitting me feel like a walk in the park. I couldn't count the amount of times she hit me but the final results said a fuck ton. The bitch's shadow appeared above me. Placing one hoof on the wall and pulling the other to finish this, her eyes were glowing red.
“Cheater you used magic.” I mutter out barely being able to breathe.
Smiling she whispered, “Night.” and tensrd up ready to crush my skull.
The storage room lit up and Crescent yelled “Silver It's ready!” Stepping out of the room he carried his spear on his back under a bag. Behind him a swirling portal of multi colored clouds cracked up and swirled.
“NOOO!” Fake Silver said without a second look springing off me to stop him. As she got to him his body moved like water. He slid to the side of her hoof and stayed a inch away from her as she overshot him and passed by the swirling cloud portal.
The portal erupted in dust and rocks. The guards all ducked into cover as the hall was filled with dust and Silver was pelted with rocks.
“Silver it's time to go.” Opening my eyes Crescent stood there holding his hoof out to help me up.
“I'm good.” Slowly getting up my body aches and the dusts started to settle.
“Where did she go?”
The 'portal' dissipates showing the fake Silver half through the wall. Hehehe her ass is sticking out.
“One thing first okay?” I said while slowly approaching the fake who was stuck in the wall where the portal was.
“Quick.” he frowned and glanced at the guards.
SMACK!!!! had to give her an ass smack just to rub in the victory bitch. Oh Celestia she made a sound that I never wanted anyone else to hear.
“Time's up!” he yelled as he bolted for the window. Shit he expects me to catch him? I followed him out the third floor window catching him. I had to check how bad this was going to be. Especially since smart ass over here apparently doesn't know a lot of the guards can fly too. Then a huge blue electrified bubble surrounds the hospital and the guards on the other side glared at us as they stood there trapped.
He started laughing at them, “Take that you shitty guards!”
In response I dropped him the last two floors. After moving away a few blocks we stopped and performed passable first aid on me. He was a bit grumpy after I had apparently made him scream like a little filly when I dropped him. On the other hand I am having the best time of my life, well besides now being a wanted criminal.
Fallout Equestria: Premonition
Chapter 2:
Was this really necessary?
A poor musician had been robbed as he was on a smoke break, and it was partly my fault. Used my charm to get close to him offering him some fun. He thought he was getting a kiss from an intoxicated party mare but instead ended up getting a hoof to the side of his face. All this to take his suit, cello case and maaayybe a few bits.
Crescent Moon insisted on putting on my dress and having me wear the musician’s suit. Since me wearing the dress was deemed to be too ‘Distracting…’ and we are suppose to be ‘incognito.’ He ended up tearing up my dress so that it would fit him and I nearly fainted on the spot. After bitching him out for entirety of our walk we arrived at the train station.
It was packed, there were guards everywhere. Shit. But I had a plan.
“Honey why didn't you remember to bring that?” I irritatedly remarked with a grumbling tone, while trotting to the train doors.
“Wha-?” he gave me a puzzled look. I nicely interrupt him by dropping the cello case onto his hoof.
“Ow! What was that for?”
“Play along.” I whispered to Crescent Moon.
“Oh Ahem…” He finally understood part of the plan he adopts a more womanly tone.“Honey I was too busy trying to make sure we had everything else, I thought-” He looked into his bag.
“Well, why didn't you remember that then?” I asked, while swinging my arm at him as I entered the cart and sat down on a bench.
“Why didn’t you grab it?!” he counters in a high pitch voice.
As we sat there ‘arguing’ to each other, the ticket pony passes by desperately trying to ignore us.
“I WAS busy making the arrangements, since I am the only one that does anything here!” I interjected.
“And I WAS busy trying to get everything to make it go well for you!” he raised his voice and gained a dangerous tone.
“You forgot that but still remembered to bring the tools, REALLY?!” I pretended to be angered and picked up a newspaper acting like I was reading it.
“I was just trying to make it go better.” he whimpered. Grabbing the bag he dramatically looked out the train window.
“You mean you are going to be a better whore.” I shouted midway and then lowered my voice gaining a serious tone.
Crescent Moon pulled down the newspaper and stared at me with a pitiful look.
“We needed the money.” he whimpered.
“Do you remember where I found you? On that back alley with the reputation of being the cheapest whore. It was only thanks to me that you got out of there and you better be thankful!”
“THAT'S WHY I MARRIED YOU!!” he screamed back and stood up on the table to meet my height.
I stifled a laugh.
We were now muzzle to muzzle screaming at each other. My ‘anger’ was driven by the utter aggravation I had for Crescent. He had ruined my life, my only chance to have become a royal guard but worst of all he destroyed my dress.
“AND THEN YOU WENT AND ESCORTED MY BROTHER!” I shouted back.
On that note the last pony took her filly and started rushing her out of the train cart.
“HE WAS BETTER THAN YOU!” he shouted.
The second door of the cart closed leaving us two on our own. After a brief moment of silence, both of us burst out laughing.
“Well that was fun. So what’s next?” I asked eagerly.
Smiling, Crescent looked out the window, “We’re going to my home. Before you ask no, no one knows about it.”
“You still haven't told me where we’re going.”
“The Flame Geyser Swamp.” he whispered.
“When are we getting off then?” I asked in anticipation.
Getting up, Crescent walks to the end of the cart to take a glance at the map. “Ponyville. We need to get off as soon as we can before they figure out we’re not in Canterlot anymore.” he responded. He walked back the looked again out the window.
“We will be there soon. After we get out of town we don't need to be in disguise anymore. One thing though, avoid a pink pony like she is the plague.”
“Why?”
“She will see right through our disguise. So, when we get to Ponyville move towards the Everfree as fast as you can without attracting too much attention.”
The train starts to slow down as it approaches the destination.
“Ready Silver?” he asked.
I picked up the cello case as Crescent grabbed the medical bag. The train stopped as it arrived to Ponyville as the sun started to set on the horizon.
We moved south through town and thankfully we only ran into one pony I knew but she didn't recognize me. There was something moving around a cottage on the side of the Everfree. Crescent was spooked and we immediately changed directions taking a little detour but we got out with no more trouble.
After we got out of town and we lost our disguises my pounding heart started to wind down. My poor dress was too destroyed and torn to be salvaged from what Crescent did to it. I made him promise he would buy me a new one after we get out of this mess.
We followed the edge of the everfree and keep quiet, just in case a monster happened to be nearby. As we made way into the swamp the temperature started to rise it felt like I willingly had walked into an oven. “How much longer?” I whined.
“We are nearby, stay close Silver and follow behind. I know the safest path that won't get you set on fire.” Crescent Moon led the way.
The water was on fire and the whole area had a smoky fog that felt like it was going to choke me out at any minute. The trees were warped and twisted and I had to wonder how in the hay they didn't burn? Even the dirt here felt like it wanted to burst into flames at any second and kill me. Is this really the best place for a house good sir? As we walked by the lakes of fire my hair started to stand on edge. A quick glance around told me why.
A pair of eyes could be seen glowing and watching me from behind the smoke and trees.
“Hey something's out there!” I frantically pointed at the figure.
“Don't get off the path and that's a chimera it won't attack you if you're with me. It knows better.” He glanced at it and quickened his pace.
Why does that not make me any feel better? A more concentrated mist could be seen in the distance but I could still feel those eyes watching us. As I walked through the mist a tingling sensation followed my muzzle to the end of my tail. Glancing back the air seemed to have a light shimmer. Is that a barrier? He lives in a flame swamp with chimera ready to eat us at any second. Nope still would not build a house out here, even if there is a barrier.
I could see a building distance. How in the hay did he managed that?
As we approached, I took noticed of the weirdly crafted building. The reddish brown tiled roof came up in curves and the entire thing had a foreign feel to it ‘Hmm’ zebra possibly. It’s also made of wood...in a swamp of fire.
…
Watching some fire lick the side of the building I had to ask, “How does this place not burn down?”
“My friend Ssssss-” he stopped and glanced at me “-Sssspoky made it fireproof. I can't wait to introduce you to everyone here, they are going to love you.” he said with a big stupid grin.
This is his house?! This is a bit much even for me.
Walking up to the door he slides the door open.
“Everyone I'm home!” he yelled as he walks in.
A sign ‘A Turn of Tails’ hangs above the doorway. What is this? Is this suppose to be a hotel and if it is what kind of name is that? I rubbed my head.
“Damn it!” was all that was heard from inside so I entered his 'home'.
There is a large bar with tables and chairs that seen better days. A few had been knocked over and one or two of them were broken. The floor was a complete mess and there was some broken glass on the floor.
I felt the cool air in the hotel but where it came from was a good question. Thankfully, the fire outside kept this place well lit at least and not in a totally creepy way. The back wall had rows of bottles some were alcohol others I couldn’t even pronounce. To the left, there were wanted posters all over, like a terrible wallpaper collage around the door. The right wall had a large hoof drawn portrait of nightmare moon laying on a couch with her hoof outreached becomingly.
At the bar table Crescent stood there reading a letter.
“Sorry Silver they all left.” he pouted and put the letter back down.
“What did you expect you became too hot?” a powerful, royal voice spoke from the corner of the room. Hidden under a black cloak the unicorn turned a page of his book 'Equestrian history volume III'.
Who is that and why do I have the urge to want to get to know him better.
“Hi, I'm Silver.” I walked over and reached out my hoof in a hopeful greeting.
“Spooky. Nice to meet you.” The shady unicorn reached over with a gray hoof from underneath his cloak and shook my hoof gently. Yaaa he shook my hoof! It feels so strong and powerful hehe.
Crescent coughed.
“Silver why don't you go and choose a room while I talk to Spooky about what happened.”
What he thinks I'm a kid? Grrr.
Stepping around the counter Crescent starts to make a strange drink.
“No! I don't want to. I want to stay here and talk.” I grumbled.Pulling up a chair I stubbornly sat down, no one here is going to tell me what to do.
“If I make you a drink will you pleeeease go choose a room?” Crescent asks begrudgingly. He pulled several bottles down the shelving and glared at me.
“That- and you have to pay me.” I said while sticking out my hoof.
Spooky pulls up a chair at the bar and sit down next to me.
Crescent moon just laughed at my request and now I just wanted to slam his skull in.
“Silver, even if I did pay you where would you spend it? Where would you go with it? As payment you can stay here and get free room and board as long as you like.” Crescent responded and an annoying bucking smirk appeared on his face.
I'm getting jipped so badly and he can go to tartarus.
“That includes drinks so give me one you ass.” I grumbled and slammed my hoof down on the counter. Slamming down on the table gave me a nice reminder that my bandaged hoof was still injured. Shit gotta stop doing that!
Crescent Moon made me a fruity drink that had a bit of a kick. Good he wasn't jipping me on drinks or at least it wasn’t watered down and tasted pretty decent. Geeze, I only just finished my drink and he is shooing me away. I guess I’m going to inspect this place there is nothing else to do here.
Getting up, I headed by the door of wanted posters. I walked through the door and past a hallway that had a set of bathrooms on the left and two sets of stairs to the right. One went up and the other had lead to a door to the basement. Heading upstairs and inspecting the rooms, I was not impressed. The room for what I saw only consisted of a bed, a dresser and a closet and that's about it. This reminds me of a cheap motel. And I’m suppose to live here for Celestia knows how long. Ugh. I continued heading up the second and third set of stairs. Sounds could be heard from one of the rooms on the third floor.
I thought everyone left? Who is still here?
*Knock, knock, knock*
As I knocked on the door the sound subsided immediately. After a little rummaging the door opened and a white changeling stepped out.
The white changeling had ice blue eyes that felt like they could convince me of anything he wanted. The changeling’s mane and tail was short and nicely layered down.
Also...SHIT A CHANGELING!!!
Immediately backing away I reared up for a fight.
“Um how may I help you mam?” the changeling spoke with a gloomy expression as he closed the door behind him.
He didn't want to eat me? What the hell? This is a new one.
“I’m sorry, I must have startled you.” His body was suddenly covered in snow clouds from hooves to horn and next thing I knew, I was looking at a white male unicorn.
“Is this better?” he asked indifferently.
“Sure...erm I thought everybody had left.” I spoke with an uneasy tone.
The door behind the now white unicorn opened and a velvet pegasus mare poked her head out.
“Who is it?” she asked, with a voice barely above a whisper.
“I’m Silver, nice to meet you.” Sticking out my hoof for a greeting seemed to lower the tension level.
“My name is Frost and this is my wife Shears”
They both shook my hoof.
“I’m trying to choose a room, do you guys know where ‘Spookies’ and Crescent’s room are so I don't pick them?” I asked.
Looking around it seemed that they are the only other people on this floor.
“Its nice to meet you Silver. Spooky has the top floor to himself, as Crescent has the basement.” He gestured with his hoof as he talked.
“Thanks for the info. I'm off to go choose a room it was nice to meet you.” I nervously responded and walked away.
Crescent Moon gets a whole floor to himself? I need to see this. Also, that's kind of cool to meet a non-evil changeling. Would have wanted to talk more but felt bad for barging in on them.
On the basement, there are five doors in the hall one at the end, two on each side. The walls and floor were cobblestone and it is a little darker than upstairs.
“Hmm I pick this one!”
I walked to the end of the hall and opened the door. There is a pitch black tunnel heading downwards. An 'Under construction' a sign is the only thing visible. What is down there?
A cold breeze passes by sending shivers down her spine.‘ NOPE not that curious. I shut the door close.
Let’s go to the door on the left.
Opening the door I see what looked like a study. There are plenty of books stacked high upon multiple bookshelves lining the walls and on the center there is a grand alchemy table with zebra writing on top of it. Sadly, mom taught me to speak but not write the Zebra. There are potions strewn across the table but I wasn't going to test my luck.
Leaving the room I proceeded to the next room on the left side. This metal door is locked and doesn’t seem to have a keyhole.
Guess that’s it for this side, now to check up on the other side. Opening the first door revealed a bathroom with walls and a ceiling that reminded Silver of the night’s sky. The floor is covered in green tiles which give out an earthy feeling. I've decided this needs to be my bathroom. I don’t think Crescent will mind if I test it out.
A few minutes later and a bit of trial and I am laying in a large bathtub filled with water that she deemed to be at the most perfect temperature. As I laid down in the bath, my hoof strikes something unfamiliar next to the tub. Opening my eyes I viewed a strange metal orb that is a little bigger than her hoof. Picking it up, strange glyphs appeared to light up and reveal themselves.
“Ooh what do you do?” I said to myself while inspecting the orb. Oops! The orb falls into the bathtub filled with water. When it comes in contact with the water it caused the orb to emanate steady pulses. The vibrations makes the water feel like it is alive gently massaging Silver’s body.
This is so mine.
After leaving the bathroom revitalized, I checked the last room, Crescent Moon’s bedroom. The floor is covered by bamboo and white oak walls. Besides the dresser like all the other rooms, there is a spear stand on the left wall, a map of the world covering the northern wall and a solitary mattress in the center of the room.
He has more space than any of the other bedrooms and he has only this?! What a waste of space. Guess I'll actually go look for my room now.
I left the room and heard footsteps coming down.
“Hey Silver is everything alright?” Crescent moon says as he walked down the stairs.
“Can I go in there?” I said and pointed to the locked door.
“Shuure but don’t touch anything” he responded.
Crescent walked to the door and poked the knob. The door opened with a little pop.
Looking around the room just made my head hurt. There were blueprints and strange objects all over the rows of tables with labels, and notes on those labels. The stone walls are covered in shelving with even more stranger objects on it.
Pacing around, many of objects have a red warning label.
Hay here's one that doesn't have a warning.
I pulled up a stool and sat down next to what looked like some sort of work bench. Picking up a manual I started reading about this 'bullet press'. Using the hoof operated machine requires a little strength but it makes these things called 'bullets'. After I followed the directions and found the parts I hastily got to work. Unfortunately, these things called bullets were for a rifle that had a warning label on it.
Looking at the rifle I couldn't tell what was dangerous about it. Nothing was in the tube when I looked in it and it wasn’t sharp mm oh well, let's read why.
I picked up the manual placed next to the item and started reading it.
“Hay Silver are you still alive in there?” Crescent said while peering into the room.
He entered the room swerling a orange/ purple drink in his hoof which seem to make my nose tingle with a pleasant scent.
“Can I try this out?” I ask while pointing at the rifle.
Crescent took a sip of his drink.
“Read the manual first and be careful” he responded.
Reaching over I snagged his drink and gave a sniff. Mmm this smells great.
“Hey! give it back!!” he held his hoof out.
My hoof still hurts I need this, so fuck him.
“Don’t drink that!” he demanded. Was he trying to command me?
Taking the glass in both hooves I swallowed it all in one go.
* * *
What did I do?
Waking up in his room was alarming but he wasn't in the bed with me but on the floor mat beside the bed. How did a bed get into his room and why do I only smell of booze ugh. Guess it’s time for a bath.
I walked to the grand bathroom.
What the tartarus was he drinking that knocked me off my ass?
Starting up the bath I leaned my head against the tub. I remember getting help from .. fromm .. crap, the white changeling to get the bed downstairs. Next, I think he gave me the rifle after and I shot it outside. Pretty sure I was good with it too. Why is this so damn hazy.
Turning off the water my eyes fell on the metal ball besides the tub. Grabbing the ball, I immediately dropped it when feeling some familiar residue covering it…oh.
I then examined my wounds which seemed to have healed a bit.
I remember getting into a argument with him about rightfully wanting to have the biggest and the more lucrative room in his three star hotel because I deserve it; even if it meant it was his room. I might have also kissed him but that could be us yelling in each other's faces; it's so hazy. Well at least I just fell asleep in his bed. Far from the worst time I have woken up in somepony else’s bed.
Great, the only thing I got paid was to live here. Wait there was something about a cruise. I think he promised a cruise but can't remember to where. Aren’t we supposed to be hiding? Guess it's time to wake up his sleeping ass and try to piece it all together.
I finished up my bath and took the massager with me, no one else can use it.
Heading back to the room Crescent had woken up and was brushing his mane, “Morning Silver.”
“The bathroom is mine.” I announced while entering.
“No.” he remarked without looking back.
Wait the beds gone! “Wait where did the bed go?”
“I had Frost move it back while you bathed.”
The only thing that was left was his stupid mattress on the floor.
“I don't get it, you live in the biggest room and own the entire building and yet you sleep on a matress on the floor. It probably smells and If you don’t get a proper bed I’m going to set it on fire.” Slowly I approached the mat with a menacing look.
“Don’t you dare!” he exclaimed as he placed himself between me and the mat fixing me with a glare.
“I won't, as long as that bathroom is mine.”
“Silver! Out of my room!” he pointed for me to leave.
“I don't want to use the commoner’s bathroom. I deserve the best that you can offer.” I puffed up my chest and stood a little higher to emphasise my ‘superiority’.
His jaw dropped wide, “Ooooh I’m so sorry your majesty, I wasn't aware of your arrival. I shall go tell everyone that we have a queen in our midst and we must treat you as such.” he spoke with a sarcastic tone while over exaggerating his movements.
“Fine whatever, how are the other bathrooms then.” I asked with a bitter tone. My head was pounding a bit from last night and I was in no mood to argue with him today.
He briefly explained, how they are one male and female shower stalls on each floor and three toilets?! Why so many toilets and only one shower. Whomever designed this needs to be fired.
“Thought this is suppose to be a hotel it's setup like a very shoddily constructed dorm. Even prisons have more showers than this place” pouting I sat down.
“Whats a dorm?” he had a perplex look on his face.
“That's right I forgot you’re not educated.” I smirked.
That seem to hit a nerve as he grabbed his pillow and threw it at me.
“OUT!!” he screamed.
The pillow smacked my face then fell onto my hoof.
“Dibs.” with those words I took off up the stairs, pillow in mouth. Crescent yelled in protest and chased after me. I entered the bar where the white changeling was at the bar tidying up the place. I placed the pillow on my head and leaned against the counter.
“Morning Snow.” I greeted the changeling while Crescent furiously attempts to remove the pillow of my head and failing miserably due to his short stature.
With a hint of irritation the changeling corrected, “It’s Frost and good morning.”
Spooky entered the bar and sits down. On cue, Frost makes a cup of coffee and places it on the counter.
‘Yaaah free coffee’ picking up the coffee I happily sipped it immediately receiving a glare from Spooky.
“Haven’t even been here more than a day and you're already stealing people's drinks.” Crescent Moon stated as he sipped some on some tea, giving up on taking back his pillow for now.
“I thought it was for me. Sorry.” I gave Spooky a crooked smile.
“It's fine.” Spooky grumbled as he got another cup from Frost.
“So Crescent Moon about that cruise.”
I prayed we were going somewhere nice, I need a good vacation after all this mess.
“We are going to help the wonderbolts.” he answered whilst shifting through the newspaper.
What?! no no no. I knew this was too good to be true.
“Why are we going to help the ponies who are trying to catch us?” I nearly tipped over my coffee when leaning towards Crescent.
“It will help equestria in the coming war and hopefully slow down the end of the world.” he responded then turned a page.
“If the world is going to end then why don't we try to find a way to survive it? Why don't you use your weird thing that makes your eye all bloody?”
“It’s not that easy Silver!” Slamming the paper down he marched down to the basement.
Sweet Celestia he really takes things too seriously.
“Crap wait, I need the key for my room.” I spoke to myself aloud.
Spooky leaned over and said “If you go upstairs and choose a room. Write the number and I will get the key later.”
Spooky was a nice pony unlike the others, well to me anyways. I know that I’m a bit of a snob but weirdly enough it doesn’t seem to phase him.
Shears entered the room, “Hi Silver!”
The velvet mare with brown mane dropped off grocery bags on the bar. Frost starts putting away the groceries and moves the newspaper from the counter.
Hold on how did we get that newspaper!?!
“Does the paper get delivered here Frosty?” I asked concerned.
“Frost, and no I got it this morning after going into town.” he answered while giving me a flat look.
That is a bit of a walk.
Grabbing the newspaper, I found a small column on the fifth page to watch out for the escaped crazy pony, Crescent Moon. I shift through the article to see if there is any mention of me.
A mentally unstable patient is being hunted down after escaping the confines of Canterlot Memorial Hospital’s psych ward division. The patient formally known as Crescent Moon, was being held in isolation for an attempted assassination of a royal official and is deemed to be very dangerous and should not be approached. He was last seen leaving the hospital with the aid of an associate. If anyone has any information, please report to the nearest guard.
Really that’s all?! There seems to be no mention of our daring escape or at the very least, of me.
After a while, Crescent Moon comes back up with a mountain of papers on his back with ink and a quill in his mouth.
“What?” he mumbled.
“What do we have to eat here?”
“I’ll get it.” Frost announced.
I protested a little but Frost promptly strolled off to the kitchen with Shears.
Sitting down Crescent Moon started writing letters while I waited for Frost to come back.
“Sooo why exactly are we helping the wonderbolts?”
If we were going to do something so stupid I needed to know why.
Without batting an eye, “The wonderbolts are our best defense in Equestria, if we don't get involved we will lose them before the war even starts.”
“That isn’t an answer. Why are WE helping them?” I asked.
“Silver are you really asking me this?” He put his quill down and looks up at me.
“Yes! I just had my life ruined by you and some changeling pretending to be me. Now equestria is hunting us down maybe even kill us and now you want to help them!” I couldn't help but get extremely agitated.
“Silver we are the only ones that know. No other pony can see the future as far as I can but it has reached a point where I can't do this alone. I am offering you a chance to not be trapped at my hotel while they look for you.” As he explained his reasoning to me, a little desperation slipped into his voice.
“I understand now you want me to show equestria that they have the evil Silver and that the good me is helping you save ponies.”
“No we will not hit the papers Silver that's why we are going in a disguise.”
“WHAT!?! Then why?”
“When the war comes do you want to be fucked up the ass by zebras because you didn't want to help save the wonderbolts.” He just glared at me and went back to work.
“There is not really anything I can do right now so I guess I can help.” Slowly I walked over and started helping him. After much pestering he eventually told me the vision.
“I was being held hostage in the ship’s hold, the crew were all tied up and the room smelled like crap. They were all ponies except one zebra. Zebras captured the ship and were keeping us hostage for some reason. I couldn't get out of my chains and heard some fighting above. The scene fades out and what came up next was just an image of a newspaper. Most of it was blurry, but the title was clear 'Wonderbolts Killed In Attempt To Rescue Crew That Have Been Held For Two weeks!”
We spent a week mailing letters to ponies and asking them for information regarding shipping vessels. Crescent Moon’s or ‘Mr.B’ connections now seemed to be pretty useful. In a span of a week we acquired a compendium of shipping sea charts as well as some crewmates bios. It was so boring trying to sort through all the paperwork and was about to give up until something caught my eye in the newspaper. While reading the paper I glanced over the economy section just to see coal prices went up. The zebras have increased the price for coal in trading for gems. What if it was a heist for gems. After searching through all the upcoming plans for gem shipments to the zebra lands only one vessel matched. The Celestial Destiny is going to bring a shipment of gems in three days.
Crescent Moon spent the first day making ‘preparations’.
“How we going to get on that ship when you are a wanted pony?” I pouted.
“What are you talking about? We will be in disguise.” He smiled as he started to pack up all the papers away in a folder.
“From now on you will be a silver coat mare with a sky blue mane pegassi named Salty Seas.”
He finished his breakfast and Frost took his plate.
“No .. don't you dare bleach me! My stripes gives me character and my mane has not been corrupted by any harsh chemicals my entire life.” I whimpered in protest to his idea.
“You have to do it, you are as noticeable as I am. Trust me, I'm dyeing my hair completely black and browning my coat.” he sighed and picked up the folder.
“No I won't do it! You will have to strap me down.” I won't let him make me ugly!
He paused and looked back at me.
“Fine, pack your things tonight and we will leave tomorrow. But if you do this for me I’ll let you use my bath from now on.”
That sold me. Jerk knew how much I wanted that bathroom.
Following him downstairs the dye was already in the bathroom. He trotted back to his bedroom while I tried to figure this out. Are there any instructions on this thing, nope but hay there was a filly sticker on it so guess it is ‘Filly Safe’. Really no bleaching needed to get such a light blue? Hmm I did read up once how to dye hair let's see how much I can remember.
I walked over to the bathtub.
First you have to be in a tub since the dye can stain everything. Next you pour a bit into your mane and tail. You work it into it with your hooves. Now why is it clumping up? No crap stop that. Shit my hooves are all blue. Ok Silver you got this just rinse it off with some water.
Silver turns on the faucet leaving a blue hoof print on everything she is touching and places her hoof under the running water.
This is not working that did nothing but make it worse. This is a colorful nightmare. “Crescent Moon I need help!”
He trotted in from the other room already in his disguise. How the hell did the dye his entire body already.
“What's the matter Silver?” The second he looked at me he burst out laughing. “How did you manage that?”
“I have never done this before.” I pouted as I sat in the tub with my mane and tail all bunched up, half my coat blue as were my hooves.
“It's okay Silver, I'll help.” trotting over he grabbed a comb and a third bottle I hadn't seen earlier and got to work fixing my mess. The clear stuff made the dye come right out of my coat and off my hooves. Then he started combing my mane til’ the color evened out. While he did that I found another comb and started dying my stripes away. I will miss you stripes.
“Hey um Silver I need you to do your tail.” He held the now blue comb out for me.
“How do you expect me to do that. No, you do it.”
“With a little flexibility, and please just do that part yourself.”
“I can't see that well, I need your help and maybe even getting the black stripes on my rump.” Hehe wow look how red he is getting not even the dye can hide that.
“Um, no I really shouldn't you should try your best and-”
“And do a shitty job and ruin the disguise then we get caught.”
I turned around and put my back to him while having the biggest smirk.
After a second I felt him carefully comb my tail. When he got towards the base of my tail he paused. “Silver are you sure you can't-”
“Yes I need help.” I swished my tail and hit him in the face.
He was so slow on working with the base of my tail.
“So how did you do the base of your tail?”
“Carefully and with a mirror.”
Oop he is doing the underside of my tail now.
“Hurry up you have to do my back too.”
Silver wiggled her rump at him.
“NOPE I'm done do the rest yourself, I'm out!” Slamming the comb down he ran out of the room.
Hehe It’s too much fun messing with him.
When we were done I looked like a different mare. I kept my hair out of a braid for once and it was annoying. Finding Crescent Moon in his room fixing his brown dyed coat, he seemed to have calmed down.
“See not so bad Salty. Now we can leave today.” he started to pack up.
After pestering him some more I went and packed some clothes we had gotten earlier this week. Soon we were ready to go. Now I was on another adventure to try to save the wonderbolts...yaaay me.
As we left the hotel I remembered how hot it is out here.
“Eww it’s so gross out here- wait what was my name again?”
“Salty Seas and I'm Casting Monsoon.”
“Just curious is this dye flammable cus I don’t want to burst into flames.” I cautiously kept my distance from the fire.
“No, it should be all fine. Trust me I made it.” he had smug look on his face.
That liar he said it was filly safe, it even had a picture of a filly on it jerk!
“Why do you have stickers of cartoonish fillies.”
“Reasons.” he answers.
I have a feeling he is trying to avoid my question.
“Wut where you not loved as a child?” Couldn't help but snicker at my passive aggressive bad attempt at a joke.
“Shut up Silver!”
It was fun to poke at him I couldn't help it.
“And now we're back to the shut up Silvers. All I'm doing is trying to get the truth out of you.”
“Well, no one ever likes the truth. And now we're trying to stop the truth from happening. Fuck the truth!”
“So you hate the truth and you're going to stop it? I’m soo confused.”
I had to speed up to keep up with him.
“Yes I am going to stop the truth because it hasn't happened yet. The question is, is the truth the truth or is it a lie and the lie is the truth?”
What the hay is he going on about?
“What are you saying? Are you trying to sell me something?”
“Nope, I'm just trying to distract you from the chimera.”
He hooved to our left and looking over and got a nice reminder that ponies could be food for something. All three pairs of eyes could be seen looking at me through the smoke.
How close was it for me to see all of its eyes?! ‘Shivers’
“Why does it seem to avoid us while we're on the path?”
“Most people bring things to fend it off like a chair, a charmers recorder and goat cheese. But-” He watched it as we walked.
“Hold on goat cheese how will that help?” I interrupted.
He glanced back sighed and explained “One of the heads is a goat. If you feed it cheese it will get distracted and not eat you.”
That doesn't sound right.
“Are you sure you're not being racist? I'm not sure goats like goat cheese.” He didn't even give me an exasperated sigh he just looked disturbed.
“No I'm not being racist. It's like how some mares and stallions like drinking mare milk. Not against those pony’s freedom and everything but it is a little weird. Maybe they weren't loved as a child but hey that's their way of coping it.” That was not the answer I expected .. or wanted. That abruptly ended all talks for now.
Silently, we walk out of the bog and into Ponyville. He was on edge again glancing back and forth every so often. At the train station we got tickets to Baltimare and found a bench to sit in.
“So Salty did you memorize the names of all the crew members?” he asked.
“Why would I do that?”
“So you could identify them easily. Make small talk about similar interests, you know stuff like that so we could be buddy buddy with them.”
“No matter what something is going to happen and you are going to fuck this up one way or another.”
“Shut up Silver.” he grumbled.
“Hi Silver!” a pink squeaky mare sat down besides me and waved.
Did she just call me Silver?! Who is she? Why does she know who I am? Is my disguise failing this early?
“AAAAaaaaAAAAAAAaaA shhhh!!” waving my hooves around eventually landed on her muzzle. “Who are you and how do you know who i am?” when I calmed down my hooves came off her muzzle.
Instantly she responded, “Hi I’m Pinky and I knew who you are because I am Pinky and I knooooow everypony.” Now she is shaking my hoof vigorously. “I didn't know you lived nearby.”
Crescent face-hooved, “For the love of the Goddess stop talking to Pinky please!”
I shifted so my back was to him and kept on talking to pinkie.
“So how are you Pinky?”
She stretched her head past me to him “Is that Crescent Moon?”
First: sweet Celestia she should see a doctor about that neck of hers! Second: shit she recognized him!
“Don't tell anyone he is hiding.” I warned Pinky.
Pinkie tilted her head “He wanted?”
“Pinkie, he is wanted but are on a super sneaky mission so no one can know.”
She gasped and a strange hat and a pipe appeared on her from thin-air. “A super secret mission ooOOOooo. Have fun. Don't get hurt. Be safe!- Wait didn't he just break out of a hospital?”
“I won't, I will be safe but i can't promise this., and yes but that's why it is a secret.”
Wow I’m having trouble keeping up with her to answer, she talks way too fast. Oh great she even knows about the hospital.
Without looking he demands “Pinky! Pinkie Pie promise me that you will tell no one you saw us please!”
She gets on her back hooves and dose a strange motions while she speaks.“Cross my heart hope to fly stick a cupcake in my eye; I will tell no one I saw Silver and Blgfjallsdlv .. Bjgnweufn ... Bjfnewuffeqwf ... Moon.” Every time she tried to say that word it came out as gibberish.
What the hell was she trying to say. Curiosity got the better of me.
“What's bfeuiwfj-?”
Crescent cut me off, “So Pinky did you hurt yourself trying to say it?” he asked with a hint of concern.
“My wips awe wum Blgwrglke.” she whimpered.
“Hay what is Bfuehfveqf Crecent?”
Whatever it was it seemed to have bother him greatly.
“Shut up Silver!” he growled.
Me and pinky sat there trying to say whatever Bveovheouvhqe was supposed to be and he only made it more enjoyable by complaining for us to stop. Then he started begging and finally started demanding us to stop.
“Thank the Goddess.” Crescent Moon said when the train arrived.
Wonder to who this goddess he believes in?
He rushed onto the train the second we were allowed to board. I waved bye to Pinky and walked onto the train. Deciding not to drive all the other people out of the cart we sat down and the jerk took the window seat. I wanted the window seat! Sitting down grumpily he nudged me.
“What?!” I responded with a growl.
Looking down the hall I could see the ticket collector walking down the aisle. He didn't answer but when looking over I got my answer. His eyes were bleeding and he was in one of his visions. GREAT TIME ASSHOLE! Shit! I turned his head to the window and put one of his shirts on his face. Then quickly leaned him against the window so it looked like he was resting. He was kind of like a puppet when he enters his vision it's actually quite fun putting him in different positions while he is in it. Poking his eyes too but not the time for that now. His timing is terrible!
Finally I grabbed the tickets and got ready.
The ticket stallion walked up, “Tickets please.”
Nodding, I hoofed over our tickets. He took them and then gave them back after examining them, glancing at Crescent Moon he frowned.
“Is he ok?” he gestured with a hoof.
“He is feeling a bit out of the weather but shouldn't be a problem.” Glancing at him the blood luckily wasn't visible.
“Well I hope your husband gets better mam, also if you don't mind the guard behind me will do his thing.” The stallion continued on.
A guard walked up to us and shined a strange flashlight.
“Sorry mam we had a changeling get into Canterlot so we're taking extra care so it doesn't happen again. Thank you for your time.”
“What is that?” I stopped him before he left and gestured to the flashlight.
He politely answered, “The light shows the coating magic changelings use in order to look like us. We had a changeling get into Canterlot recently but don't worry we will keep you safe.”
With a smile and a nod he left.
Now while he isn't moving might as well look at what he brought. What's in you great bag of tricks. Some clothes, juice, and some snacks my snacks now hehe. “Thanks.” Mmm good crackers and hey he forgot his spear. Great that's probably how he gets caught. After messing around in his stuff for a bit he jumped up nearly hitting my head with his hoof.
“Welcome back!”
Leaning back he breathed deeply then looked around quickly. As he relaxed a little he spotted his open bag and looked through it.
“Why are half my crackers gone?”
He looked at the crumbs following the bag to my mouth.
“Sowwy I ate it.”
He pouted at me, “But you didn’t you eat breakfast at the house?”
“Don't remember eating breakfast I just remember you rushing us out on a hurry to get to the train station.”
“But you ate?”
“It's my tax for saving you-” ha argue that “-and they are looking for a changeling.”
“They're looking for the other you probably... buck I forgot my spear, that sucks!” he grumbled and zips his bag back up.
“Can’t you just make one with a knife and stick when we get there. If we get there unprepared don't blame me when you get captured.”
Stupid stallion rushed me off this morning and still he forgot his spear. Whatever we have bigger stuff to worry about now.
“How are they going to get on the ship? Are they going to fly in, swim overboard, take another ship or they hiding among the ship.” There are too many possibilities.
“Don't worry Silver I'll search the ship when we get there.” With a smile he gave me a friendly nudge.
“Got a spell to find them?” I had to ask as he always seems to have a spell for everything.
“Nope!”
“If you not being a unicorn can cast magic does that mean I could?”
What did I have to open my mouth and ask him that? He started to go off on about magic and how each one of us has magic. Apparently, we all have magic depending on our race so my magic helps me fly and his lets him touch the magic veins in everything. At least his really long and very boring explanation of magic helped the time pass. But more of his crackers were to be mine. Hoping he was distracted with his lecturing I reached with my hoof went for his crackers.
“No, bad polly no more crackers.” He swatted at my hoof but not before I grabbed the crackers and ate another one.
“Really? you still hungry?” he asked and shook his head.
It’s midday you idiot I'll eat my meal happily.
“Silver that's going to go straight to your ass.”
“I know my ass is plenty fine isn't it-” I couldn't help myself. “-My mom told me I have healthy baby bearing hips.” I couldn't help wiggling my ass at him.
He raised a hoof, “Well my mom told me-”
“What? you had a perfect pony bearing pen-”
He pulled a filly sticker out of his bag and put it on my mouth in a flash.
“Bad Silver! there are fillies near! I censor you!” He pointed at them.
“Itchy you jerk.”
Taking the sticker off was harder than one could imagine. Everytime I tried to take it off, the sticker would stick somewhere else. Stupid sticker! Eventually, the sticker finally stopped being sticky and fell to my hoof. “Aa it's no good any more.” Taking the sticker I let it out the window. The filly sticker looked like it was waving as it flew through the air.
Crescent was waving back to it, “Bye little filly sticker.” He sat back down and looked at me.
“So Salty you having fun in your new life?”
Really that was his question. Actually not that bad yet “Too much of you and not enough of freedom.” Ha take that for the annoying sticker.
“Buck-” I happily interrupted him with a hoof to the face.
“Censored you”
He sat there rubbing his muzzle. The intercom nicely told us we had twenty more minutes till we arrived in Baltimare.
“Hay twenty more minutes yaaay” He couldn't sound more sarcastic at least I got a smile from him finally. “At least my six wives will appreciate me!”
WHAT!?! no wait he is smirking not smiling the liar he. Plus he doesn't even live in the zebra lands. “You don't even have a special mare nevermind a wife.” There is no way he could be married, I would have known about it!
“Actually engaged with a zebra which is better than you!” He stuck his tongue out at me.
“Actually I do have a boyfriend!” That wiped his smile away.
“Ah Silver I didn’t know that” he had a worried look on his face.
Why does he look worried is he jealous? Hehe.
“I didn't send him a letter to avoid the other you...He is changling food Ooooooh tchh that sucks.”
Meh I didn't really like him really, he was more of a friend with benefits.
“I sent your sister, mom and dad a letter to warn them of the other you.”
“How do you know my dad?”
He leaned back and looked out the window, “His name was on your birth certificate. I looked you up before because you were in my visions a lot.”
He didn't seem to understand. I have never ever met my dad.
“Do you know where he is, who is he?” I had strain myself not to sound desperate.
“Ppphhhhh of the top of my head, couldn't tell you but we have the stuff at home. Why you ask?” he waved his hoof nonchalantly.
“As a reward for this I want to meet my dad!”.
“Sher.” He glanced at me with a raised eyebrow.
Finally, a chance to meet my whore father.
I spent the rest of the train ride imagining about how cool my dad will be.
The train pulled up to the station and we walked off to the busy streets. It was a little in the afternoon when we got here. The sky was almost clear of clouds, the streets were full of ponies going to and from. Off we go, into the beautiful city we go the sun up and the sky clear. The smell of ocean in the breeze oh how I love Baltimare.
I walked up to the city map outside the train station.
He must have seen me gasp when I looked at the map.
“Sorry but we are not going to the filly cove Salty.”
“Why? They have pirates there, It's fun for all ages! My mom left me there once for a whole week it was tons of fun.”
We started walking towards the docks. It was only a few blocks away from the station no point in calling a cab.
“That's quite horrible and no we're still not going.”
He always ruins my fun, but we got to walk around the city for a bit. The center of Baltimare is absolutely gorgeous this season.
Now to business, “So how do I know you?”
“We worked on a job together before for the company Drifting Wood Shipping-” he kept glancing around. “-they gave us a high recommendation for this job. I have someone here who is filling out the paperwork for us because I helped him out before. We need to go pick up the papers before going to the boat.”
How many ponies has he helped?
“So what do you think of Baltimare?” Had to ask I loved this place but he seems way too twitchy.
“Don't like it, it's too crowded I prefer my small village .”
“I forgot you came from an uncivil society.”
“We are civil. Just because you don't believe in our beliefs doesn't make us uncivilized.”
“How could you say your place is civilized, they think mares are less than stallions! Your stallions have multiple wives and mares can’t do the same. They don't hold any government ranks and I bet they’re not even aloud to fight!”
“There are many tribes in the zebra lands that allow mares as leaders. There are tribes that are entirely mares but most tribes bow down to the Caesar.”
“Bet there was no Mare Caesar!”
“Nope.”
“So when did you leave the zebra lands?”
How the hell does he know this much stuff about the place I thought he was an ‘outcast’?
“Ten! The same year I was engaged and the age of maturity for the upper class.”
Thanks mom for not selling me out to a stallion at ten, that would have been Tarteris for me.
Does that mean he is engaged with a cougar?
“How old was the mare?”
“She was ten like me. I should probably go and get rid of the engagement since she can't get married or anything else as long as the paperwork says she is with me. But then I would have to go back and talk with her annndddd that's not happening.”
“Why does it matter you're never going back anyways? And it’s your and her father's fault anyways.”
Glancing up he had sad look on his face, “Sorry Silver I don't like the crowds of the inner city we don't have those things back home.”
I scooped him up in a big hug “Aaaa is the crazy pony scared of crowds, it's ok little pony I'm here with you. Just remember filly steps.” It's so much fun messing with him.
“I will bite you Silver, and it will hurt; also we are here.” he growled.
We arrived at the Drifting Wood Company three story building. The gray building entrance has an ornate stone archway with ponies entering and leaving constantly. Several boats were docked at the harbor in front of the office. Entering the office was a little challenging, pushing past ponies while also keeping an eye on his tail. Inside the building it wasn’t that much better. Gray tiled floor with sickening brown wallpaper and a freshly plastered roof just made the place feel unwelcoming. Everyone in here was a hardened sailor and they were qute loud going to and from rooms and offices. Getting past the mob of ponies we stopped at a desk with this mm 'mare' behind it, well I think it’s a mare.
She had to be one of the bulkiest ponies there covered with multiple painful looking scars. Probably didn't help her that she wasn't that very attractive.
“ Yes?” She placed the newspaper down with enough force to shake the floor. Her voice sounded like she had been eating rocks.
“I'm here to see your boss.” Crescent piped up with a serious tone.
Looks like I'm just here for looks he is talking this time.
Slowly, she reaches down and looks at the book open on her desk.
“No! You're not in the book.”
Actually I'm glad I don't need to talk to her her breath smells horrid. She leaned back and picked back up her newspaper.
“I sent your boss a letter and he said he would meet me today.” Shit, he didn't bring a backup plan and without this we’ll be done for.
“Listen I know him on a personal level and would really appreciate if you would go get your boss Brigs.”
Oooh the tiny pony is putting his hoof down.
“Hey Cr-asting Monsoon is something wrong?” He glanced back at me.
“Salty, I'm trying to get the papers but the boss is busy.”
“Excuse me but we need those papers to go to our next job.”
Slamming her paper down she glared at us and the desk made a very unhappy sound. She now spoke with promises of pain in her voice. “NO! You to have an appointment tomorrow morning at two am. Brigs is in a important meeting and I will not disturb him for two little, moronic, piece of fucking shit mates.”
Oh sweet Celestia her breath was worse at closer range.
Crescent walked forward and met her gaze, “Heavy Gloves tell your boss asap that you told Mr. B's assets to go fuck off” Spinning around he stormed past me.
“Mr. B forgets no pony!” I stand, glare at her and turn around. Everyone was watching and stared at us, we marched towards the door chests puffed out and heads held high. At least they got out of our way. I managed to get outside before starting to laugh. “You were so adorable being the smallest pony in there trying to be tough.”
Walking over to a nearby bench we sat down.
“Shut up Silver.” he couldn't help but laugh too. We sat there chuckling for a while.
Mimicking his voice, “Even though I’m tiny I’m really strong!!”
I got hooved in the chest.
“Hold on Monsoon why didn't we just sneak into his office?”
“This is faster trust me.” And almost on cue an important looking business stallion stepped outside of the Drifting Wood office.
He was about average height, wore a nice gray suit complemented by a blue tie and a silver clip and had a murky brown coat with grayish orange mane and eyes. He spots us immediately and trots over to us “Either of you two seen a Mr. B a few minutes ago?”.
“We might know a certain Mr. B,” I stood up to answer him. The older stallion looked up at me. “We also might be assets of a certain red stallion.”
That peaked his interest.
“Good follow me then please.”spinning around he marched off back into the building.
We followed after him keeping close enough that people stayed out of our way. As we passed, through the lobby I spotted that secretary getting her desk cleaned out and two security stallions were standing at her sides. You asshole Crescent, you made her lose her job just for doing it! Following him we head to his office on the top floor. Does it even matter if she looses her job the world is supposed to end anyways.
Entering his office, the brown stallion walked behind his desk and gestured us to sit down. It kinda reminded me of Shining Armor’s office. Just more rundown and with a red rug instead.
Only after we sat down did he speak, “So I am to understand you represent Mr. B.”
We both nodded.
“Good please inform Mr. B that I deeply appreciate the advice he gave me. Also, after pulling a couple of strings I managed to get both of you two onto the ship he requested.” As he says it he pulls out two papers from his desk and slides them to us.
I took the papers and stored them into Crescent Moon’s bag.
“Mr. B thanks you for your help in this matter.”
“Tell Mr. B that I look forward to doing business with him in the future and I apologize for my secretary’s behavior. I hope that this will not damage our future cooperation.”
Crescent piped up, “It won't, but I don't think she should not lose her job over a misunderstanding like this, right Salty?” he glanced up at me.
“No, she shouldn't. Next time she will know better.”
With a nod he called in another employee and informed him that the secretary was to stay.
“Well I hope you two have a nice day and enjoy your trip.” He reached over his desk and shook our hooves.
After leaving his office and on the way thru the lobby we spotted the 'mare' weeping and thanking the other employee for letting her keep her job.
“I didn't know that thing was capable of crying.”
I barely kept myself from laughing aloud.
“I didn't know either Salty, but let's get out of here before she decides to walk over and squish me for almost taking her job.”
With a quickened pace, we left the offices and started walking down the docks.
“Alright Salty, here is a hundred bits go have fun in town while I get the hotel and find the boat.” he reached into his bag and pulled out the bits.
Crap, I searched the wrong bag earlier his important stuff was in his saddlebags not his sea bag. “Why are you even thinking of splitting up, if you die I will never know.” He gave me a flat look. “I don't know what to do then. I don't know this city well, I have hide my identity and I don't know anyone.”
We stopped in front of a map of Baltimare.
“Salty, you told me I don't give you enough freedom so here is your freedom, go shu shu” He examined the map.
“More money then!”
Silver sticks out her hoof demanding more money. With a groan he reached into his bag and produced fifty more bits.
“There, happy?”
“I got my money I’m ganna buy stuff” I said excitedly while prancing around in a circle.
“We will meet up back here later ok?” He pointed to the you are here on the big map.
“Sher”
Heading out, I decided to double back after a little to see if he wasn't being lazy.
And what do I see Crescent sitting on the pier and splashing his hooves in the water and going ‘Splish Splash Splish Splash’. Well after a little nudge down the pier and a small swim he got back on track.
After this little distraction, I left and started walking down the pier. Guess I’ll be doing his job and looking around for the crew since he seems to get easily distracted.
Walking down the pier eventually saw a crew member, second in command Timber Hitch. He had a short bark brown mane and tail. His cream color coat and front legs were scared to hell. The well built stallion was moving boxes around.
“ Hi I'm looking for a ship I’m supposed to be working on tomorrow could I get some help it's called the Celestine Destiny?”
He looked over and picked up a box with his other hoof.
“Well ya I'ma suppose to work that ship to. Timber” he stretches a hoof out.
Oh he had nice tan eyes and a smooth voice.
“Salty Seas.” I shook his hoof.
“You must be one of the two extra ship hooves. The boss was surprised when your previous employer highly recommend you for the job. Guess he decided we needed more hooves, well actually we got a zebra helper to so that makes three of ya now. We'll just have to see how that works out. Also just a heads up, don't be surprised if the crew shy towards ya.” he started to trot down the dock.
“Don't worry sir I understand we will be out at sea for a bit and being the only mare I can understand if they get distracted.”
I combed my hair with my hooves.
“Actually mam, the urban legend says mares are bad luck on ships but I can see why they should get distracted.”
He keeps on trotting until we arrived at the ship.
“Here she is, the Celestine Destiny. We have almost everything loaded on just the perishables have not been loaded on yet. I just hope those zebras have paid their dues.”
He knocked on the ship then set the box down as we continued talking.
“Why? Are the zebras causing trouble?”
“Ya, them damn zebras have been increasing their prices for coal so we have to send them more gems in exchange. It's in the papers, it's the newer Caesar is trying to be an ass that's all.”
“The new one?”
I didn't hear anything about a new caesar recently?
“A few years ago the old one died and the new one is trying to prove his shit and all that hababalluba.”
Another one of the ship workers walked past us and placed a box on the pile.
“They need to know how much we need it.”
“Well they can go fuck themselves for that too!”
Timber hit the box he was leaning against and cracks could be heard from the box.
“Here is the ship and I'll take your papers to the cap if ya have them.” Silver hooved them over immediately.
“Thanks!”
“Also the boat will be leaving at six am tomorrow so be ready.”
“I will show up a half an hour before we go.”
“Unless ya got nothin with ya and ya expect to go to get to work the second you get on the ship.”
“I meant a hour early.”
With a chuckle he walked off.
Guess I don't get to sleep on the ship and enjoy a nice long relaxing cruise. I’m going to be working my ass off for these people and I hope they pay me. I wonder if I would be able to put this on my resume Hehe. Who am I kidding this is going to suck. Well, guess I get to go back and drag him shopping with me.
Walking back, I unluckily got lost in thought and bumped into a mare knocking her over.
“Oh crap! I'm so sorry here” Helping the mare back up, I quickly realized she was almost as tall as me. She had a deep blue coat complemented by topaz mane that flowed gently with the smallest of wind. She had a coral reef for a cutie mark and absolutely enchanting murky bluish green eyes.
“No I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention I'm just lost.” the blue mare said with a soothing voice.
“It's fine, do you need any help? I'm not from this town but I can try to see if I could help.” It's the least I could do for almost running her over.
“If you don't mind. I was trying to get back to my hotel but somehow I ended up on the docks.” She had a glimpse of hope in her eye.
“No I don't mind. The city is pretty big and easy to get lost in.” Don’t have really anything important to do right now anyways.
“What's the name of the hotel?”
She put on the biggest smile after I agreed to help her.
“The Lucky Clam!” The mare was nearly dancing on her hooves.
Pulling my map out, I discovered that it was in the middle of town. While giving her directions to the place she seemed to be visibly deflated. Reaching up, she pointed a few blocks from the hotel “I started here.”
HA that sucks! There must be something seriously wrong with this pony.
“We all get lost sometimes don't worry I'll walk with you and make sure you make it back.”
After memorizing the directions I put the map away.
“My name Maelstrom!” she held out her hoof.
“Nice to meet you I'm SSsSalty Seas.”
Crap almost said my real name again.
“I should check up on my associate he is supposed to be finding us a room.” If I don't he is probably going to do something stupid and get distracted.
“I hope he wouldn't mind you helping me!”
“He won't, let's go.” You know what, she is right I'm not his babysitter, he will be fine on his own.
My head got a little fuzzy after that probably from meeting so many attractive people today. We talked as we walked, she was here apparently trying to get a job at the lighthouse. No idea how the hell she would get a job there but apparently she got denied. Poor girl, I advised her that she should try to get a job at a shipping boat but she turned it down. Apparently, she can get those jobs easily, but working art a lighthouse is her dream job.
The streets were quite busy today but at least it was a nice day out. This walk was actually quite fun, we talked a bit more and apparently she doesn't have many friends because she makes them feel weird. I had to start asking myself when did I start falling for mares? I even gave her one of my terrible pep talks to try to cheer her up, along with a subtle pickup line.
Unfortunately, my lack of money came up in the conversation about halfway there. She immediately insisted on buying me some food. The place she insisted on was a beautiful restaurant called The Sapphire Lobster. I felt bad for her to treat me here of all places, but when I tried to argue with her but she was insistent and wouldn't take no for an answer.
The inside was gorgeous and had a chandelier hanging from the roof. The waiters were all suit and tied and nice looking. The cream rug was mint and the tablecloths a nice pearl white. I tried to convince her not to bring me here but she told me this was her treat for me in exchange for me helping her.
As we sat down and ate we talked about our family (I just glanced over mine not too many details.) and friends. At one point, I thought she called me Silver but it was the waitresses name. Silly me, I couldn't have slipped up that quickly. This has got to be one of the best dates I have been on, well if it was a date. We talked a bit more and then left to find the hotel.
The place wasn't that hard to find since the lights of the building illuminated the night and it was over ten feet tall. High class ponies walked in and out of the hotel passing by the carpet that came to the edge of the curb. The marble flooring was beautifully ornate and stone walls line the inside of the place.
“Well I enjoyed our time together.” Maelstrom gave me a big hug and I returned the hug and really didn't feel like I wanted to leave. She shooed me off with kind words and a reminder that someone was waiting for me. Oops he shouldn't mind me being a bit late.
Walking back I couldn't get my mind off her. She was, so nice, so beautiful, so perfect.
At the docks, Crescent Moon sat on the pier splashing his hooves in the water. Seeming to be quite entertained.
Why couldn't he be as sexy as her. she would be a lovely pony to be stuck with. “Hi there.”
“What happened to meeting up?” He gave me an annoyed face. She would never give me that face.
“I got busy helping a really nice mare.”
That mare who I really regret leaving alone in that hotel. I should have stayed a couple more minutes.
“Really?-” he walked up to me he gave me an unimpressed look. “-what was her name?”
“Maelstrom”
Why did he look like he nearly shat himself?
“Shit! Silver you just met a changeling queen.”
“Pfff. She isn’t a changeling queen, she is the most amazing pony that I have met”
Crescent Moon promptly reached over and placed his hoof on my forehead and mumbled some incantation. Suddenly, I felt a hazy veil leave my mind and it brought me back into focus and then I remembered.
“Shit she said my name! I must’ve told her when I was at the restaurant.”
We stood there and tried to asses the situation. Crescent explained that the changeling race isn't limited to Chrissy and her changelings and that there are multiple changeling queens/kings all with a area of the world that they call their home. Maelstrom is apparently the queen of the eastern seas. The equestrian government has kept it under raps and he asked me to do the same. The reason he went off to go get a hotel for us was so we didn’t accidentally go to her place The Lucky Clam.
“She was nice we should go talk to her more!”
“No, me and her don't get along.”
“She could be a great ally, she wants to be friends with me. We just need her to get to like you too, though that might be a bit hard since you are a little annoying”
“I don't think you quite understand the relationship I have with the changelings.”
“It’s ok I’ll fix it and give them a better impression we need all the help we can get. Maybe they can even help us out on the boat/”
“No, they feed on this area and they wouldn't want put that in danger to help us.”
“But she didn't feed on me.”
“Suprising.”
“She just wanted to be my friend and talk.”
“Very Surprising.”
“Maybe she knows I'm better than everybody else and therefore didn’t feed on me. She also want me to write letters to her.”
“Thank the goddess the spell is broken know or you would probably be marching back to her by now.”
“My first letter would be ‘Dear Maelstrom, HOW COULD YOU LIE TO ME!!! If you told me you were a changeling queen I would still be your friend.’ Actually Crescent, where is a paper store I want to write it now.”
“We’re a little busy trying to save the world.”
“I just found you splishy slashing on the docks, and I don’t even think you moved from last I saw you.
“If you really want to waste time why don’t you just go back and talk to her if she so nice?”
“Know what, I will.”
“Silver that's a stupid idea, no!” he had worried look on his face.
“I’m going back and that's final.”
Frowning, he watched me for a bit then sighed and reached under his shirt he pulled out a strange amulet. It was made with an onyx gem with a eye caved in the middle.
“Wear this at least, it will prevent you from being hypnotized. It lets you see the magic coating changelings use to hide themselves.”
He hoved over the strange amulet.
When I put it on a magic pulse went right through me.
He explained that he had gotten us a hotel by the dock Called the ‘Tilting Raft’. After pulling my map of Baltimore he reached over and marked it on my map with a pen. Did he steal a pen from the office earlier? Now just to retrace my steps back to the Lucky Clam.
“One More thing Silver, Don’t Die!” With those oh so comforting words he left.
As the sun started setting, I turned and headed back to the Lucky Clam. The site was quieting down and the streets were almost empty except the occasional night prowler. The city felt so calm and quiet at night with the cool ocean breeze passing by me. The street lamp along were the only illumination on the roads this light, casting shadows everywhere.
Oh goddess why did I get myself into this and decided to walking alone, towards a hotel full of pony eating changelings. SHIT!!! Why did he have to tell me not to die of all things. Now I’m officially town creeped out.
Finally, I got to the damn hotel with only a few scary experiences mostly me misjudging regular civilians and drunks as monsters and changelings. Almost shot one with the rifle in my bag. Just arrived at the hotel, not dead yet. Let's do this.
Silver Stripes level up: Level 2
Perk gained: Opened Eyes: You have been given Knowledge most don’t know and more refuse to accept. ( You now have more options when talking to any non-equine.)
Fallout Equestria: Premonition
Chapter 3:
“Mending Sails”
The Lucky Clam deeply unsettled me as I felt drawn to the hotel. This place just felt perfect, as I walked inside the white marble flooring felt soothing to my hooves. The brown tiled walls gave this place such a warm and homely feel to it. Now that I was fully aware what this place was and whom inhabit it, it sent a chill down my spine.
What have I gotten myself into?
As I looked around the amulet let me see right through their disguise. The changelings were easy to spot, their body seemed to shift and flow as if it were submerged underwater. They were everywhere, and from the looks of it there weren't any actual ponies working in this place.
Approaching the front desk, a changeling pretended to be a faded pink mare with black mane and purple eyes looked up at me. The flowing aura around the ‘pony’ showed an outline of a changeling horn.
“Hello miss how may I help you today?" his words slid from his mouth and the watery aura around his horn gave a gentle glow.
“I would like to speak with your boss.” The amulet under my clothes felt like ice for a second and it took all my effort not to react to the chilling feeling.
“Of course miss I shall go get the manager.” A soft glow again was seen on his horn every time he spoke. Smoothly, he slid out of the counter and started to walk off.
“I will just wait here for Maelstrom then.” I kindly informed the clerk.
He stopped in place and looked at me, a small frown formed for a small second then he was back to a cheery mood, “She must have invited you to her room then right?" He walked back and reached under his desk, then pulled out a check in log. “Well then, I will take your bags up miss.” he reached out a hoof.
“Oh um sure, here you go.” Hoofing over my bag was a small price to pay to visit a ‘friend’. I still can't believe I forgot I was carrying this, not much I can do about it now. As I hoofed out my bag I nearly froze, my rifle was in my bags. Oh BUCK, I just gave changelings futuristic technology! Shit shit shit! I can't take my bag back they will obviously know something is up and after I mentioned her by name I'm going to be royally screwed. Okay Silver calm down don't show them you just royally fucked act normal.
As I stood there almost shitting myself I get into guard mode, face expressionless eyes focused to a single point at a wall.
Two Changelings exchanged a confused look to each other.
“You okay Miss?” the Clerk finished hoofing over the bag and faced me with a concerned look.
“YES MAM, 'ahem' everything is fine. -” Shit I think they might have noticed “- I have some important documents in there that I have to work on later.” All I could do was watch as a changeling walked away with my bag.
Trotting up beside me another changeling posing as a velvet mare spoke to me with the same smoothness as the clerk, “This way miss I will take you up to Manager Maelstroms office.”
Damn this talisman feels like it would freeze over at anytime now.
With a slight nod and salute I followed the changeling down a hall on the right towards the elevator. I really should have not given them my bag dammit. I’ll have to make sure they don't steal my shit.
“Her office is on the seventh floor miss room seventy four- “ as we entered the elevator he paused. “- Seventy six sorry miss I was thinking of something else.“ With a nod he resumed and pulled a lever that closed the elevator gate and we started ascending.
We arrived on the seventh floor. The floors were covered with a blue rug that resembled waves in its pattern, marble pillars seemed to curve along the edges of the doors. The long hallway had enough room for only two ponies standing beside each other at a time. After a bit of walking around I found the room.
Standing in front of the door to the ruler of this domain a small annoying red stallion popped in the back of my mind telling me ‘Don't die now'. Oh sweet Celestia what have I done?! What was I even doing here? I was recently hypnotized by this person not more than an hour ago and now I returned because I was angry that she lied to me. She could have made me want to be her friend in order to get me to come back and feed on me…. FUCK it. I tentatively reached out a hoof and knocked on the door. After hearing a little shuffling, a slider could be heard on the opposite side of the peep hole.
“Salty?! Come in, come in.” Maelstrom unlatched the door and opened it.
I heard a soft shimmer from the opposite side of the door before it opened. Maelstrom hadn't hidden her true form much. I couldn't see any water shimmering around her body but her mane and coat shifted and turned as though she was submerged. A faded horn could also be seen on her head that kind of reminded me of a shark fin. Her wings also gained a fin look to them along with a row of three gills along either side of her neck. Light reflected differently off her body giving it more of a sheen and made it shift in a colorful spectrum.
Maelstrom turned and walked to a kitchen counter. The room looked more like a small apartment than part of the hotel as it included a fully stocked kitchen with a stove and small fridge.
As she pulled out a bottle of wine and two glasses she looked over, “Salty it's great to see you, um how did you get here and find me? Do you like wine?”
Was it me or did she seem surprised that I was here?
“I would love some wine but If we're going to be friends we need to start fresh, no bullshit.” I said apprehensively.
Please don't poison me.
“What do you mean?” she paused and looked over. I took a seat on the side of the bed.
“I have met others like you and I don't appreciate you lying to me.” I said flatly.
I am spewing so much bullshit and hope that she wouldn't notice. The bed was so soft and now all I can think is all the ponies that probably died on this bed. No, need to focus, calm down and remember she wanted to be my friend… supposedly. This is a lot of work if it is just for a single meal.
“I must say I don't understand Salty.” She poured the two glasses carefully.
Catching the label on the bottle I couldn't help but smile, she wasn’t giving me cheap wine. Yes!
“I have met others of your kind before and don't appreciate being lied to.” I clarified happily.
Unfortunately, all I got was a confused look. Hold on, does she think i’m still suppose to be under her hypnotism.
“I know you're a changeling queen.” As the words left my mouth she slumped a little and drank her glass of wine in one go before facing me. I smiled and continued praying this wasn't the part where I died. “If we're going to be friends we have to not lie to each other, your majesty.”
“I wanted to be friends, I think you can understand why I lied and didn't invite you to my room.” With a small glow she lost the disguise and closed the door. A small wave started from her horn and glided down her body till it reached her tail. Her coat colors became brighter and glistened under the light. The pupils morphed into slits and fangs grew from the top of her mouth.
“No you didn't invite me but I do want to be friends and if you want that to do it the right way.”
Hey I'm not dead yet, yay! And she actually wants to be my friend.
“If I may ask, how did you find out Silver?” she asked gaining a serious tone.
“What? oh you said my real name.” The question took me a little of guard.
“I did didn't I, well you were lying to me the entire time about your name Ms. Silver Stripes the Equestrian royal guard.” She gave me a even look that made my hair stand.
“I use to be a guard, a changeling took over my life. It could be one of yours.”
The words flowed out of my mouth so quickly that I just thank Celestia they were understood. Shit! I told her my name and job. What else did she get from me when I was under her spell?
“No not one of mine, I have no interest in getting into Canterlot. So, Ms. Silver how did you find out about the changeling queens?” her tone relaxed as she refilled her glass of wine.
“Well you see I started noticing different types o-”
Leaning back I started, only to be cut of with sharp words and a glare that made my body tense up. “I thought we weren't lying Ms. Silver?”
“Yes but if I tell you, you will hate me for who I work with.”
Crap now I'm so dead goodbye world.
“Chrysalis?” she asked.
Hold on, she hates chrysalis too?
“No, not changelings but somepony you don't like.” I say, as I dread having to possibly face her wrath.
“That's hard.” she pondered, as she walked over and joined me by the bed. Then she started going on with a list of names that I didn't recognize.
But really, what was Crescent worried about she hasn't even mentioned his name yet. “So is it any of them that I mentioned or is it Udella the changeling queen of the deep seas that lives in the zebra seas?”
“No it's Mr. B.”
Shit, please don't know Crescent is Mr. B.
“Oh that's nice.” She smiled at the information and hoofed over a wine glass. “He is a nice pony and actually sent me a few useful letters.”
“Is this poisoned?” I said, while I inspected the wine.
Why did I even ask her like she would tell me?
“No.” she said while rolling her eyes. She laid comfortably in the bed beside me.
“You lick it!” I playfully argued.
With a sigh she leaned up and slowly slid her long slippery tongue into my glass and pulled it out with a droplets of wine still at the tip.
“Happy?” she asked with a big mischievous grin on her face, then proceeded to sip her own wine.
“Didn’t mean it like that but, um thank you!” I was a little thrown off but hey the wine isn't poisoned. Here is to hoping that her saliva isn't poison. With that I took a sip of my wine.
“Not really sure how B knew where to send the wine, but it was nice of him.” She gave a small nod as she spoke.
“He is known for that.” And also for ruining people's lives when all they want it's to be a guard like their mom.
“From what I know Mr. B hates two queens, one of which is Chrysalis, the other is the zebra's ice queen.” Maelstrom turned on a radio in the background with a flick of magic.
“Seems like everyone hates Chrysalis.” Attacking Canterlot probably didn't help either.
“Most everyone yes, but she knows who B is and had attacked him previously. She did make a big mistake by making the swarm, we Queens try to keep our hive numbers within sustainable amounts.” Taking a swig from her drink she looked up at the ceiling.
“Sounds like Chrysalis really messed up.” Well aside from pissing off Equestria, the Crystal Empire’s princess and other Queens.
“The swarm was one of the worst decisions she ever made if you ask most Queens.” With a frown she stopped looking at the ceiling,
“Why would she make a lot changelings she couldn't feed? Does she go from place to place eating everyone there and move on?” her eyes were on me again and making me squirm.
“The more changelings you have the more 'authority' you have. At the time she made it she could support it and she did start moving to place to place eating everyone.” She nearly tipped her wine she got so angry.
Attempting to calm her down “That's really messed up. Oh and just a heads up Canterlot has had a changeling freak out so there searching the town and trains for you guys.”
“Just great they're probably using that damn flashlight thing too aren't they?” she replied with a hint of aggravation.
I gave a small nod as I sipped my wine. At least getting off the topic of Chrysalis seems to have eased her irritation. I wouldn't want to face her wrath and even attempt fighting a queen at her own base.
She continued on, “Those things can show the magic on one of my changelings if they're hiding useless it's used on a Queen like me, then it will just be annoying. We have had those things for much longer then you ponies have, we know how it works. They used to use them on boats to find us hiding among the crew.” She waved her hoof around in small circles like she was looking for something.
“Why don’t you changelings make a escort house? It is a win win for both stallions to get their necessities taken care of and changelings get love." I asked, steering around the subject.
“It's illegal in Equestria not sure why, just is.” she grumbled then took another sip.
“That's no fun.” Like that a seemingly good idea goes down the drain.
“I know, give us changelings a chance!” she proclaimed as she hoofed a head pillow in the bed over and over. After a brief pause and another sip of her wine she calmed down a little, “Silver I have to say you are very brave and lucky to have walked back here and approaching me of all changeling Queens.”
Yeah, brave you call it I think this was very stupid of me. Though I'm happy that as of now nothing bad has happened. If you didn't count that poor helpless pillow that was now missing some of it's feathers.
“Other Queens would probably have tried to eat me by now, why haven't you?” I asked, wondering why of all ponies or better yet changelings was she being nice to me. There has to be a reason for it maybe she already had nice full dinner, or that at the very least I provided her some sort of entertainment. From what everyone talks in the barracks these changelings were 'abominations' whose sole purpose is to devour everything is sight. This Queen seemed to be so much different that I have had expected, she hasn't even tried to cast anymore hypnotism spells after she revealed her true form.
“Well I’m sort of open minded to this whole thing. I reckon, one day ponies and changelings might even get along and work together. So why not already give it a try?”
“Actually I have already seen a pony/changeling couple before.” Snowy and Sheers or is it Frosty and Sheers hmm can't remember for the life of me. And from what I've seen they look very happy and she isn't an empty husk like the others would have led me to believe.
“That is interesting and something I have never seen or heard of before, really makes you think doesn't it. Most other Queens or changelings would have killed you by now.” she commented and looked up and down at me while stroking her chin.
I really don't like the way she is looking at me right now. “Hey! That's kinda rude you know. If this is how you play around it isn't funny.” Please let her be paying around.
“I'm only trying to be friendly don't worry.” she leaned forward and gave a comforting pat on my shoulder.
“I know it's just that, I'm not really sure how we can be friends. If I was in you hooves and you were my food let's say an apple how in the buck would be able to even take you seriously and not just get chomped on.” I kept on rambling like I knew what I was talking about to the point that I myself wasn't even sure what I was saying but she kept on listening. She kept listening, so I kept talking and I almost slipped up and told her the mission that I was to take part in. I just wanted to confide on everything with her since I finally had someone to complain with. Couldn't do much of complaining to Crescent and whining without him telling me 'Shut up Silver'.
“I don't know if I can tell you anymore about my mission, you might be working with the enemy.” We both gasped then giggled away.
“We don’t have any plans to raid any boats in the near future, so you are fine.” We got onto the topic of pony lie detectors for a while and how useful it would be to have one.
“Maelstrom did you really want to work in a lighthouse? What would you do around there?” Let's see how much she made up when she attempted to entrap me. Plus, I really don't want to share any more of my super secret mission. If I keep it like this I'll tell her everything about me and she will still have all her juice secrets.
“Yes, actually I would love to work in a light house. But… I have no idea how to work in one.” Admitting that she hid her face behind her empty wine glass in an attempt to cover her blushing face, it wasn't working too well.
“It’s fine, I think the only thing they do is hit a button to turn on the light and maybe change the light bulb once in awhile.”
“You know I didn’t lie to you that much when I talked to you. Around here I run this hotel, I go out and help gather food for my hive, usually sharing them with my subjects.”
“You share your food?” I asked with an hint of bewilderment. She is the Queen after all why does she share her food when she could go and horde it for herself?
“A Queen is useless without her hive, so yes I share my food. I have better hypnotism skills then all of them, so I’ll go out and find a young strapping lad-”
I cut her off with a giggle, “No old pony love?”
“No, I don't deal with them.” Setting her glass on the counter across the room she waved her hoof down with finality.
“Couldn't you just bite them or rip the love out of them with your own magic?” I asked, pausing a moment the answer dawned on me. “You probably get less love those ways.”
She gave a small nod, “ Most ponies don't understand that there are multiple types of love. First there is fake love which is not appetizing at all.” The look of disgust on her face told volumes of how bad this fake love must taste like, maybe it tasted like plastic or cardboard. “Then there is drained love. This is the love we normally get by pretending to be someone's lover or hypnotizing them. The flavor wants to be there but it's not, hmm kind of a after taste sort of thing, bland is the closest thing I can think comes into mind for the taste. It's not even that nurturing. And the last one of course is intercourse love.”
“Does this one taste like cake or a sweet desert?” I asked with intrigue.
“I wouldn't call it a cake per say, but it's a full three course meal.” With a dreamy look she licked her lips at the thought of this love meal.
“You have to work a lot for a full meal though.” If it's like anything she had to go to get me here finding that love must be a huge pain.
Why am I talking about eating ponies? Why is that look she is making make me feel so uncomfortable, is she checking me out? Am I about to become a three course meal? All these questions unnerved me.
“Plus also there is a big difference in nutrient received by all three. The hard work we put in to get a full meal is often well rewarded.”
Did she just sneakily lick her lips? “You know most would call you insane for coming in here.” She gave me a big smirk.
“Well what's the worst that could had happen?” I shrugged and gave a weak smile. I really shouldn't have asked, this is totally inviting something bad to happen.
“Dead.” she replied.
Yep that would have very much sucked.
“Dead wouldn't be too bad after what Mr. B said. The whole thing about the world coming to an end real soon.”
Sitting straight up she frowned, “Crescent Moon who said that the last time I saw him.” She quickly seemed to connect the dots as to Mr. B being said Crescent Moon. Her irritated look confirmed it.
“I’m just going to give you a hug and leave now.” I said, worried that I might have kicked up a bee hive.
She interrupted my departure and interjected explaining how they did not hate each other, she just found him to be utterly annoying. The first time she met him, she had attacked an enemy Queen moving over borders that he had aligned himself with. He was small at the time and a moron for holding onto a grudge.
That is something we both agreed on. I then went onto explaining how I met him and what he did to my life, basically taking everything from me. Thank Celestia that my cup was empty or else I would had chug down the whole thing.
Maelstrom gave me a hug then petted me, I stopped it before it got out of control.
I didn't mind it but having a changeling Queen pet my head but I didn't want this to divulge into a a pity buck. I let everything off my chest and told her all that was bothering me. She listened to all of it and made me chuckle a few times, this was starting to feel like a sleepover. She said she might be able to help to figure out who took my life, if I told her the types of spells the changeling cast. The types of magic that changeling can cast are affected by their type. I didn’t really know much but I gave her all the information that I had.
She still offered to help.
We ended up switching topics to my family. I went on and explained how my mother is an equestrian guard and I barely get to see her. And how my mother met dad during some off time while she was overseas in the zebra lands. He was her escort for the evening and then it got so heated that they made me. “I'm sorry to my mother but I have higher standards than to sleep with a common whore.” I puffed out my chest with pride.
Maelstrom laughed at me.
Why was she laughing at me? Stop it dammit!
“Sorry I can't help it. You a common pony trying to tell me, a changeling Queen that you won't accept anything beneath you. You do realize you are having a sleepover with a changeling Queen right? ”
I think that we have had too many drinks. “I should probably get going soon.” Putting down my … I think fourth or was it fifth glass I got up from the bed.
“Aww why?” She pouted at me.
“Crescent got us a hotel and I don't want him to waste his money.” Probably a crappy hotel with one bed and is probably be worried sick about me not returning. Since I did tell him I was going to 'stealthy' infiltrate a changeling hive and confront the Queen. In hindsight this was a horrible plan.
“Come back, I’ll send a guard to tell him you're staying the night in my hotel and you're totally fine. Maybe even write Crescent a letter to show you are alive.” With a big smile she patted the bed beside her.
“No, why would he believe one of your people. Doing that would probably cause him to charge in here weapon swinging.” I am not putting it past him to openly attack this place.
“You don’t understand how rare it is for me to have a relaxed conversation like this. Most the other Queens are bitches.” She was giving me the biggest pout.
“I promise I will visit again and talk more but I have to go, I pinky promise.” Going through the stupid motions I completed the promise.
“Whats a pinky promise?” She managed to keep her pout and confused look at the same time.
“It is a ponyville thing, it's a rule I'm not going to brake.” Giving her a pat on the horn I got ready to go.
“Did you just pat my horn.” Ha! Now she gets to be the blushing uncomfortable one. She gave me a scrunchy face in return.
“Heh I went to pet your head and your horn got in the way." I explained. "That's pretty dangerous, I could have stabbed my hoof. But now I really do have to go.”
Making my way towards the door I looked back at her whimper only to be hit with the most adorable pout face ever. I found her quite adorable or it might just have been my drink talking.
“Using that pouty look on me won't work, I use it all the time” Sticking out my tongue at her I continued to the door then stopped after taking just a couple of steps. Wait I think I'm forgetting something.“Oh crap, where did I leave my bag!?” After searching around for a little bit I remembered. “Right, the changelings took it.”
“They took your bag? You might want to go down there and tell them I order them to give it back. By now they probably already looted it.”
OH BUCK!!
Whipping the door open, I rushed out of the room with a quick, “Good bye!” Running to the elevator the changeling inside seemed surprised to see me. Quickly, he stood up and fixed up his little hat. I slid into the elevator as he stood up at the ready.
“Ground floor please.” Trying to keep the panic out of my voice was a hard.
He started up the elevator and stood there in an awkward silence, glancing back at me every few seconds. When I spoke up he nearly hit the ceiling he was so jumpy.
“I know, I know you were expecting me to be a meal today. Now you're all freaked out because I'm leaving. Here have this departure gift instead.” Grabbing the changeling I gave him a big kiss on the lips. I think they can collect love like that. There was a ding for the ground floor and I let him go. Damn it I didn't even give the queen a kiss, now I feel awful. Leaving the changeling in the elevator with a dreamy look on his face, I took off.
Running to the front counter the stallion ‘changeling’ behind the counter look stunned to see me. “The queen said for you to give me my stuff back please. Do not take the weird thing that looks like a pole.”
He nods to one of his co workers and that co worker took off into the back rooms with a quickened trot.
“I know you thought I was getting the sexy treatment so you where pilfering my stuff but I need it back. She will be very grumpy if you have stolen my things. Did you already spend my money?” They better have not spent my money. Did every changeling here think I was going to be having sex and providing meals for all of them? I don't know if there would be anything left of me if I did have sex with the whole hive.
With a wave of his hoof he leaned into whisper something to me, “I would prefer if you were more discreet about this MISS.” With a sweep of his hoof he pointed out all the normal ponies in the entry hall.
Oops.
“Sorry.” It didn’t seem like anyone heard me though. No one had gotten up to leave and I probably sounded way too drunk for me to be taken seriously.
It took a few minutes for them to get my bag. “Here you go, your bag is intact and nothing of value is missing.” As he hovered over my bag he leaned in again, “Be more discreet next time please.”
I think someone was a little sour the won’t be getting my fine flank tonight 'giggles'.
Taking my bag back, I quickly left the building so that I didn’t upset any more changelings. Took a quick look at my map trying to see where the hell I was supposed to go. The night had already died down and I found no one was out on this beautiful night.
The Tilting Raft was at best a three star hotel. The small hotel was by the water and look like it wanted to falling apart, the walls had peeling brown paint and the entire building had a musky smell that reminded me of something dying.
Talking to the gruff stallion at the front desk I was informed that a single room had been booked for the night for Salty Seas and Casting Monsoon. The owner of a mediocre hotel in the middle of nowhere has no money to spend it on somewhere else better than here. Crescent was being cheap with me. Fine, but if this place has bugs I’m out and going back to the changeling with the fancy wine.
He gave me a key and a room number. No one took my bags or showed me to my room, no elevator to bring me to the third floor. The rug felt grating under hoof. Please at least let the beds be soft. Arriving at my room, I instinctively knocked on it even though I had the key.
Opening the door, I could see Crescent sitting on the side of his bed staring at the door.
“Don't worry I'm not dead or a changeling.” Showing him the amulet made him relax a little.
“Just making sure” Getting up, he walked over to the door and started scrubbing something off from the inside door way.
“Did you make a death circle on the door?” I really hoped not he could have killed me.
“Not on the door the inside of the door and it's a binding circle not a death circle.” As he scrubbed the markings off there was a small shimmer in the air as the spell seemed to vanish.
“I'm alive and here.” Stepping past him, I tossed my bag onto the bed then spun around closed and locked the door as he finished removing that marks. “She really seems like a really nice person. Don't worry, I'm not hypnotized.”
Stopping me with a hoof he demanded, “Tongue out.” Sticking my tongue out only made him giggle. “Wow you actually listened to me.”
“Well, she was nice and I had a lot of fun.”
“Well, she can still go fuck herself!” he hissed.
“She doesn't hate you you know. I asked her who she hates and she never ever mentioned you. I even made it hard narrowing it down to a pony and she still couldn't guess you. So you are on good standing so get over it. Also... I might have told her you are B.” Really he was still holding a grudge since he met her, when he was just a little colt?
“Thanks Silver.” Grumbling he walked back to the bed.
“Celestia already knows so everyone could know, get over it.” What's his problem? The more people know the more that they could help us. “Why don't you offer me some wine like the Queen did.”
The sudden change in topics made him give me a skeptical look then he poked my head again.
“No if you are checking again I'm not hypnotized by her but her room definitely enchanted me.” Oh how I miss that hotel, I wonder if she even had a jacuzzi in her bathroom. Darn now I want to go visit again and see what other much nicer amenities her room had.
“You know I spent good money on this room.” He held his nose up high.
“If you asked her she might have let you stay at her place for free. All you would have had to do is donate a little bit of love.” I raised my eyebrows up and down giving him a saucy look.
“NO. We do not get along and I have changelings under my hoof, she would never ever give me a free room and I would never want it.”
His sourness was bleeding through at the idea.
How hard of a time did she give him when he was small?
“Silver you get the bed so be happy okay, I’m sleeping on the floor.”
“Why don't you sleep in the bed to? There is enough room here for both of us.” Hopping onto the bed I was greeted with the loud screeching of the bed. The springs were not helping either, it was not anything close to comfy.
“No the bed is yours.” Hopping onto the floor he curled up.
“Are you calling me fat, you jerk.” Why was he being so stupid. “Get up here you look absolutely pathetic sleeping on the floor.” Grabbing my pillow I whipped it at his head.
Poomph.
“Do you zebras also do a chant to the stars before you go to sleep hala jula maverash billotch miten bich.” Waving my hooves theatrically I pretended to pray.
“Wow you just blasphemed so badly it's kind of sad, and no my tribe doesn't do a prayer at night.” Shaking his head in disappointment he shifted to try and get more comfortable.
“If you don't get your ass in this bed then I'm going to go and sleep with Maelstrom!” Why is he so persistent on being this stupid. I want to hit him he is so aggravating.
“Fine!” He got up and hopped in the bed with the pillow. “Happy now?.. This is so uncomfortable.”
“Yes I am, the bed was leaning over to one side.” I turned then put a hoof around him.
“Really are you that uncomfortable?” he whined. Why are you whining you moron! You have a big mouth and you have no idea how to use it.
“Yes it hurts.” I dug my hoof into into his side. Ahh why is this going over your head? You are the stupidest pony in the world.
“Yay!”
What the fuck! why is so happy now?
“What was that for?” Don't give me a stupid answner please.
“We are on our first mission together.” He giggled.
“Yes. Be happy that you ruined my life and dragged me off to work with you because it's the only thing we can do.” Like that any thoughts of fun are wisked away.
“I will fix your life Silver don't worry I'm on it.” He gave me the biggest grin, I wanted to punch his face in. First he misses my cues, now he is reminding me of how he destroyed my life.
“Does it matter? I have helped a convict and an enemy of Equestria I'm in deep shit now.” Great moods gone and now it shifted onward to this shitty.
“When everything is done you will be all set don't worry Silver I'll take care of you.” He gave me a pat on the shoulder for support.
I wanted to pat his face with force. “But when I get back they will want to know everything about you. They will be like ‘tell us everything you know or you're going to jail.’ and I don't want to fuck all of your friends over.”
“You know I can move if i need to. I'll just disappear again, don't worry about us.” With a flick of his hoof the light turned off.
“Aaah something brushed against me.” As he shifted around I chomped down on his ear.
“Owowowowow” He cried out in pain and tried to wiggle free. Then he bit my hoof.
“SHIT! Let go.” I hit him but he refused to let go.
“My Step mother was a changeling Queen I will never let go.” Celestia he is going full feral on me.
“I know how to truly stop you then!” I brought my hoof up kissed his forehead. He let go immediately with a little yelp he tensed up and wiggled free of my hug. We sat in silence for a few minutes. “You know you are pretty cute when you are quiet.” Besides the fact were in the dark. He just stayed quiet for a bit.
“That's not fair, you can't make fun of me like that.” He spoke a little above a whisper.
“What?” I know I was drunk but he is making no sense.
“You stole my first kiss you cant mess with me like that.”Oh …. oh shit. I guess we did kiss when I drank that purple drink. Oops. After that epiphany we both just went to bed with no more to say to each other. I kissed him, why did I forget what it tasted like? Damn it.
Waking up in the morning the moon was still alive, still sitting a bit above the horizon. It's had almost been a month and I still can't get out of the guard schedule. Looking around the clock on the wall nicely informed me it was four in the morning. Well, I have a little bit before we have to be there. I am not going to be able to fall asleep. Glancing over, Crescent was still sleeping, time to fix that. With a little push he flopped out of the bed his head shot up from the other side of the bead.
“I’M UP, I’m up.” He rubbed his eyes.
“Wake up! Get dressed we're going to be late Crescent.” I put my pants and shirt on as he looked over at the clock.
“Silver we don't have to be there till six.” Grumbling at me he stood up and stretched.
“We still must go we need to show them we are committed.”
“Silver I have a question. Do you know anything about sailing.” That would have probably been something we should have asked ourselves before coming here.
“Well I went to Filly Cove for a week so I know some stuff.” Best park ever.
“Filly Cove is an amusement park not a summer camp. How were you there for a week?”
“Mom forgot me.” Remembering all the fun adventure I had while in the park and playing on the fake ship gave me a warm feeling inside.
“Goddess that's terrible.” He gave me a appalled look.
“She got called to duty and forgot I was there but I had money. Before I got a few shirts and a water… They were nice and took care of me till the guards brought me home.” I think I still have that shirt hanging up in a portrait somewhere.
“That's still terrible” He shook his head in disappointment.
My mom was a great pony, just got really busy sometimes and forgot stuff. Serious time though. “I am Salty Seas and your Meroon, Meshum, Mushroom?”
“Damn it Salty, its Casting Monsoon just go by Casting for now.” Slipping into his outfit we were almost ready to go.
“What is Casting Monsoon, who is he and what is his status?” Basilisk, if we're going to be in disguise we need to know how to act.
“Well I'm single and available to either sex.” He chuckled and picked up his bag.
Not what I meant geez!
“I will go first then. My name is Salty Seas so therefore I must act salty… I don’t have to answer to you.” Swinging my bag onto my back I sounded irritated at the world and had a look to match.
“Salty no one knows either of us or how we act, there is no point in creating this performance and create a false personality to try and fool someone. Just be yourself.”
"I don't know, just trying to do this right. Let's go I guess.” Well fine then, that saves me the trouble of having to act like someone else.
We left the hotel passing in our keys and I took point so I could guide him to the Celestian Destiny. The morning air was calm and cool to the coat. The streets had a few early birds but arriving at the docks it was filled with ponies running around. The docks seemed to contain all of Baltimare’s early morning activities. Ponies were getting ready to set sail. We managed to push past the crowds of ponies till we arrived at our ship.
“Fitting name The Celestian Destiny.” Monsoon stared up at the Brig. The ship itself was massive I wonder how many ponies are going to be working on the ship. I know about twelve of them not including us but will that be enough. The sails all look new and the ship looked newly furnished. The poor ship needed a new coating of paint though.
“You'r being way too corny, shush.” Marching past him I found the crew. They were loading more boxes onto the ship. At closer inspection informed me that they were loading the perishables on the ship, alcohol and food mostly. A big stallion who was about to my chin with a beige coat and brown and yellow mane was directing everyone what to carry. His name was Lumber, as I approached him he noticed my presence.
“You the helpers?” His voice was rough and deep.
“Yes I’m Sa-” I stepped forward with my kindest smile only to get cut off by him.
“Boxes over there.” He gestured us to get to work and he was not asking twice.
Grabbing a box I immediately got to work. Monsoon on the other hoof hesitated.
“Sir where do I put my bags?” Monsoon had a timid voice and shrank back when Lumber spun on him. What happened to not putting up and act?
“You get to put your bags down when you are done moving boxes. NOW GET TO WORK.” His words promised misery and lots of pain if Monsoon dared question him again. With a yep and a nod Monsoon went and grabbed a box. Had three boxes stacked on my back when he grabbed one. He was huffing and puffing, struggling just to get the box moving forward I couldn't help but snicker at him. These boxes were light, why is he having such a hard time? Geez I gave him too much credit he is a weakling. Lumber shook his head as he watched him struggled.
“He is more technical, I'm more physical.” I felt obligated to give a reason why he was being so pathetic. Heck if he was going to ruin this trip and we haven't even started.
“Woow.” He finally got the box on his back and his legs were visibly shaking trying to support the weight. Was he really celebrating that?
With a little bump I bounce one of the boxes off my back onto his. “AAH!” he collapsed the two boxes still lying on him. The crew laughed at him and I took the boxes back.
“If you're going to be this pathetic, just take my bags in.” Balancing the four boxes on my back was a little tricky but not too hard.
“No, I'll do my part no matter how hard.” He reached up and nearly fell of the dock getting the box back. Struggling, he got the box back on his back and we brought the boxes up. After some more huffing and puffing from Monsoon we got the boxes to the hold. Another crew member named Orange Inequality was keeping count. He wasn’t even orange he was green. He directed us where to place the boxes and sent us back to get more.
On the third trip Lumber stopped me and motioned to Monsoon who looked like he was going to kill over.
“What is he even good for?” We both just watch as he panted dragging up a box.
Crescent is really messing up with the plan. “I do most the physical stuff just ignore him he is being dramatic.” I laughed at him every time I saw him it was so bad. It took us a half hour to get all the boxes moved. Monsoon laid on the floor panting. The boxes where light. Lumber walked over to us with quite a bit of irritation.
“Is he going to be a problem or liability?” He was asking me and if I didn't give him the right answer I think he will toss moron Monsoon off the boat.
“He is better with technical stuff, he is the brains and I'm the brawn." I hoofed at Casting, " Get up and get back to work. A pregnant mare could do better than you.”
“What next sir?” He referred to lumber like he was the captain… might be. I have no idea who the captain is. I know most the crew but the captain's bio never came in.
“Both of you go see Timber on the bridge, he will bring you to your room.”
Crescent owes me for not getting him thrown out.
As we both went to leave Lumber stopped me with a hoof, “Salty Seas by the end of our trip we will make him strong. You will not be expected to take his work on because he is weak.” With that he let me go. Catching up, Monsoon smiled as we waited for Timber to finish talking with others.
“You almost got thrown off the ship you idiot.” We were whispering trying to stop all wondering ears from hearing us.
“Maybe but I just got out of every extreme chore on this boat. Next time try not to make it look even worse by balancing a box on your nose while I'm struggling.” He hoofed me.
“Well the boxes where light and you were being stupid and pathetic.” The sight of his attempts were really sad.
“They were decently light but it was way too much fun acting.” Stupidly grinning at me, he chuckled.
“It was fun watching you nearly die from collapsing. I should have put more boxes on you.”
“You did and I got squished.” He stuck his tongue out pretending to die.
“So you are telling me you are actually strong.” I whispered. With a gasp I put a hoof to my mouth.
“Shut up ssssSalty” he grumbled.
Timber finally finished his conversation and waved for us to approach.
“What is it?” he asked.
“We were told to go to you for our room.” I spoke up and Monsoon didn’t mind taking on the shy exterior again. Jerk, do I have to do everything around here from now on?
“Yesh Yesh follow me.” He waved at us to follow.
He brought us where the crew was staying. The rooms didn’t have much but three hanging hammocks. Stopping in front of a room he spun and waved his hoof, “Here is your room you two you will be sharing it with the zebra.” They are making us sleep with the enemy. I will be sleeping with one eye open tonight. “The captain will be expecting everyone topside at o six hundred, don't be late.” With that he was off.
“Salty if he starts to sing zebra sea shanties, I might have to join him.” No please no, let them hate each other. Its annoying enough that I had to pick up after his lazy ass up deck, now I will have to worry about randomly belching out in song.
“NO! I need my sleep.” You ruined one night of sleep already I don't want this to become a regular occurrence. If my sleep schedule gets all messed up I'm blaming him.
“Come on, you have to tell me you know atleast one.” He nudged me.
“NO!! Don't make me hit you.” Never learned them never want to. I enjoyed my pirating days at Filly Cove but randomly singing into song was never my thing.
“Oooooh there once was a-.”
My hoof spun on him so fast that he wasn't ready for it. He fell over sliding away from me.
Rubbing his chin he smiled at me but stayed quiet.
“I warned you." I grumbled. "We still have plenty of time why don't we split up and search the ship while we wait, you take front I’ll take back.”
Wondering around in the back I found a few pony's rooms, Bolting Iron, Rip Tides, Casting Anchor, and Toothpaste hmm Toothpaste is the medic. Found the mess hall which seems to be the general meeting place. The back storage was locked, so couldn't check for zebra bombs. Stumbling into the captain's quarters I quickly spun around and left as not to bring suspicion. I had spotted the captain's storage on the other side of the room but didn't want to snoop at this time. Up top was the captain's office and that's all I found. If I want to count the hold I guess I found half of the rooms on the ship. Made a mental note of where everything was since I will be living here for a bit. Going above deck I found Monsoon watching the other crew members. Walking over, I tapped on his shoulder. “What did you find?
“The medic office, the front storage and the rest of the crew's sleeping quarters.” Oh I'm actually pleasantly surprised, he did his job instead of splashing his hooves around the shore again.
Sitting down alongside him we watched the rest of the crew walk onto the docks.
“I found the back storage which was locked but besides that nothing really else stood out." More crew members arrived and were going down to their rooms. "Hey! they're all late.” All those guys just get to come on board and they didn't even help with moving any boxes around. Not even the zebra helped out, hey I think that might be our roommate. Just hope he isn't as lazy as this one."
“Naw Salty we where here early and were hazed into doing extra work. Don't doubt they do this to all the new crew-mates.”
We watched them all come back up deck and all assemble around the main mast.
“They wont haze me, they will probably try to get in bed with me if memory serves me right.” Monsoon just shook his head at my comment.
Something landed on the plank from the sky.
Shit I got distracted.
All heads turned to the plank and went silent in respect. A white mare with gray mane and tail marched onto the deck. Her yellow eyes swept the crowd as she walked by her coat resting on her shoulders. She had several facial and body scars that spoke volumes of her voyages. She was toned to a point that she could take every stallion here down with a single hoof. The way she walked made me want to kneel down before her. Even Monsoon was held in awe by her power… or he was staring at her ass. Looking around, every person on this ship had only eyes of respect. Marching up the steps, she turned and stood by the helm. She made it a point to look at each and every one of us. She stared into my eyes and I could swear I might have gone blind right there in that look. Finally her look passed me, it felt like it lasted forever. Raising her hoof she placed it on the wheel.
“The captain wants her ship moving men! Make it move!” With timbers words everyone jumped to action.
The captain watched all of us move into action and she gave a smirk of approval. Anyone who wasn't moving correctly or didn't move the captain motioned them with her other hoof. She pointed at me then up at the sails. Nodding, I took off unfurling the sails. After that I got to watch the rest of the crew work. She was a silent conductor as we where her orchestra. Within seconds we had untied the dock and started on our journey. A journey doomed to fail.
Silver Stripes: lvl 2…. no I’m not giving her a level for this.
Fallout Equestria: Premonition
Chapter 4
“Turning Tides”
The ocean wind blew through my mane as I sat atop the ship's mast. As the Celestian Destiny pulled away from the dock everyone let out a cacophony of cheers. The crew roared loud enough that Celestia herself could probably hear us from her rump imprinted throne. Smiling, I couldn't help but to get absorbed in the excitement and took off flying around the ship. My fun would stop however, as one of the crew members called me over.
Landing in front of him I stood straight up, “How can I help sir?”
“Where is the small one?”Brick was a meek looking stallion who had a muddled grayish brown coat. His mane was non existent but his tail hinted that it would had been a muddy tan. His cutie mark was a cannon ball bashing through a ship's hall. He now looked a bit upset that I hadn't answered yet.
“I’ll go find him right away sir.” I spun around to go find that little shit only for him to be standing right behind me. “Shit” I jumped half way up the main mast. I landed back on the ground, “Found him.” I pointed needlessly at him.
At that point I decided he needed a bell, a nice bell strung tightly around his neck so he can't go up seeking on innocent mares. Bright pink so that I can see him from a mile away, that bastard.
“Hi I’m here. How can I help you?” raising a hoof Monsoon waved to us with an innocent smile.
You know what you did you jerk.
“Good, we have a job for you. The Cleft demands you to help him below deck… cleft cleft.” Grumbling to himself he struggled to say the word chief. He kept trying desperately to get the word out. A few of the other crew members laughed at his speech impediment and he was getting pissed. In frustration he just commanded Monsoon by pointing down the stairs. Monsoon being smart for once took off under deck without any snarky comments or remarks.
“You're just messing with us aren't you?” We haven't even been on the ship a full day and they already started messing with us.
“No, there are just some words I can't say.” Shaking his head he gave a weak sigh.
Brick turned to leave I could see why he was struggling. He had a chunk of his head caved in, you could fit a hoof in it. Buck me sideways how is he alive? At my gasp of horror he stopped for a second to look back at me with piercing brown eyes showing me not to pity him. How the hell is he even moving around with such an injury. I really want to hug him, how much of a hard life he must have after getting his head smashed in?
As he trotted off, I realized something “What is my job?” reaching my hoof out I was about to stop him but Timber called my name. Taking a glance over I could see him standing by the captain's office. Fuck please be the captain giving me my job and not just us being busted already. Walking over, he motioned for me to step in. I followed in the captain's office feeling uneasy.
She had quite a large office with Windows on almost all the walls looking out at the ocean. There was a huge map of the ocean route on her wall as were memorial mementos. Some things caught my eye, one was a pair of iron hoof gauntlets that looked worn down. I wanted those badly, work didn't let me use weapons like that. There were pictures on the wall that showed her in her younger years, she looked fit and some one any stallion would love to cuddle with. Her eyes were filled with such joy in that picture not like now.
The Captain sat behind her desk looking down at papers, my papers! The captain looked up at me her face was undecipherable. Fear started the well up in me as I stood. She slammed a hoof down on my paperwork and slid it across her desk at me, it flew off the desk. I narrowly caught the paperwork from hitting the floor.
We were barely out and if they wanted to they could kick us off and make us swim back, well Monsoon would swim back which that itself would be entertaining. Monsoon your paperwork suck and I'm screwed if this goes all south. Placing the paperwork back on her desk in a nice pile I entered guard mode. Have to hide my reactions no matter what.
Her voice was barely audible and sounded like it was coming out of a rock grinder “Skills.”
She just didn't want to read, I can work with that. Not to bad relax see you're still safe. Skills I can bring to this job hmm, “I’m strong and tough. I’m a pegasus so can read the environment. I can follow orders and learn quickly and I take shit from no stallion.” I raised my chin and spread my wing to show my might. I got Timber to chuckle while standing behind me by the door. The captain just gave me that same even look. I should bring this mare to poker night in the barracks we could make a killing with that look.
She could be dead and we would never now. her face just never changing… or is she reading my mind. No are captains able to do that, can my mom read minds? Get out of my head you evil mare! But hold on.. if she could read minds she would have read my mind already and known everything. Unless that's the reason she is still staring at me she hasn't read that part yet. Shit now she is waving over timber. Did I give this away everything with my mind? Mind reading is not fair you cheating bitch. Now I'm fucking terrified, please don't kill me.
As Timber trotted over I imagined him grabbing me and Monsoon and tossing us both off the ship. I could feel myself tensing getting ready to defend myself. Maybe after tying my wings down they will toss me so I have to swim. Why did this thought cross my mind now getting thrown over overboard is not as fun anymore. The two have been talking for a while.
“Yes Capt'n.” smiling at me Timber turned around.
Were my hooves shaking stop shaking hooves I'm in guard mode show nothing, say nothing. Sweet carpet munching Celestia what will they do before tossing me off. I'm fucking terrified now, I am the only pretty mare on this ship please god no.
“Your assignment is the crow's nest. You are dismissed I need to go find myself a tiny pony.”
Yes yes yes! “Yes sir.” I had to keep myself from prancing in place I was so happy. I brought my hoof up for a salute, shit I forgot to get out of guard mode. The captain just raised a eyebrow as my hoof stayed half raised. Ha! got her face to change but buck me. Quick think of something wave, yes wave and walk away to the door. Don't make eye contact because you just really messed up. Did time just slow down or is it me? At least time resumed normal when I closed the door to the office behind me. I let myself breathe again, when had I stopped breathing?
Why didn’t I just tell her who we where and why we're here now that we're away from the docks. I could have been like ‘I special agent Silver Stripes and this is special agent Jack Ass. We are here to keep all of you safe from an impending zebra pirate attack.' We should have at least lied to and say that we were sent by Canterlot to keep this boat safe. Maybe he planned to tell her or not? Why didn't he tell me the plan. Most of this entire trip I have been in the dark and I'm just following it blindly. Know what don't think about it, just going to my post now. Taking off, I flew to the crow's nest and spotted another pegasus up in the nest.
He had short brown mane and tail along with a yellow coat that bordered white. Glancing back, he motioned to me with a wave of his wing.
“Which way you watching?” I asked.
“All of it.” he waved a hoof off to the ocean.
“You have eye in the back of your head?” I didn’t see any from where I was standing. I swear mom had them but I couldn't find those either. If I did find he did have eyes on the back of his head though I'd scream.
“Yep! I see everywhere.” he said sarcastically.
Hey I got sarcasm and a smile from him. I am going to enjoy working with you sir stallion.“What's your name?” I took to landing inside the not so big of a nest. We could fit two more but that's it, three if we get touch friendly with each other.
“Insightive Clairvoyance, and yours?”
He had a long silly name.
“Salty Seas reporting for duty.” And that is when my eyes fell onto his haunches, not too bad. But hold one flank doesn't end in a leg. Clairvoyance was missing one of his back legs up to his hip, looked like it was cut off. It made me thank Celestia I wasn't missing anything. Wait does every pony on this ship have some sort of serious injury handicap. Oh please don't let this be a thing.
“Our job is to watch out for anything, wind changes, land, storms, other boats, pirates, and monsters. The place up here is a huge target too so if you see like thunder or pirates even a monster get the fuck off this nest.”
Great so when the pirates attack I'll be the first one to get attacked.
“Ok” Now I'm a the target for everything got it. Just what I wanted to be when I grow up, a giant target for cannon balls.
“Good dodging is key to the job.” Chuckling he did a little jump side to side. How he did that while missing one leg is beyond me, probably helped that he balanced himself with his wings.
“At least you can fly.” He seemed to take notice that I have been staring at his missing leg. Now I feel bad for saying that.
“Ya dodging would be a pain without these wings... would be a long climb up here too.” Turning around he demonstrated trying to climb with three legs and he managed to do is fall on his ass and laugh.
“You should get a peg leg.” He could get like a oak one or maybe a painted one. Add one eye patch and he would be a official pirate.
“But I enjoy being try pony! Practicing for the circus and everything. Just need a name, how is Stubby the acrobat?” Getting off his ass he balanced on his back hoof and gave me a goofy face.
I laughed.
“You should so get a bladed leg.”
Sitting down he shook his head, “No I would damage the blade on rocks and metal. And if I stepped on someone's hoof on accident I would cut it off. Then there is the fact the captain would kill me if I repeatedly stabbed her boat and I can't even tell you how much fury would come out of those eye if I put a hole in the boat.” Getting comfortable against the post he resumed his watch.
I swear if I see eyes open on the back of his head he will die. Maybe he is the bad guy, nope my money's still on the zebra.
“It would still be pretty cool though.” Even if did come with a list of problems, nevermind maintaining it and trying not to snap it.
With the sound of conversations under me I glanced down to satisfy my curiosity and found Monsoon getting brought up from under deck “Hmm my partner is getting lead into the boss's office.” Guess Timber found his little stallion.
“I know he is your partner. Watched that weakling earlier when you lot where loading boxes aboard the ship.”
He must have been up at his post up here while I was stuck doing all the heavy work.
“That little bastard, I feel like he is trying to get the easy job.” He was probably expecting to like sit and count supplies or something while I would have to do all the heavy work. Maybe that is one reason he is keeping me in the dark about all of this.
“Not on this ship. The weakest get the most physically demanding jobs.” With a sinister smirk he joined me in watching Monsoon get led into the office.
“This job actually seems quite easy.” All I have to do is sit up here point at things and say what they are. Wow this is the fluff job, sweet I lucked out.
“Ya it is quite easy the only real hard part is remember to dodge after you pointed out bad things.”
Sure, ponies forget that part.
“What about the things that lurk under the water?” Do we just point down and yell thing under water. Or do we just get the hell out of the way when it comes to chomp on us.
“The only things that really can be a problem are sea snakes, sea ponies, murphys, sharks, and a few sea monsters. You can see their shadow on the surface of water so same rules apply. Point, yell where and what it is then see if it's going to try and nom on us.”
So pretty much everything under water, got it.
“But there really Isn't much to do up here either” Buck this is the easiest job but the most boring. At least I have a nice view of the ocean.
“Yep pretty boring up here.” Slumping down he rested his head on the side of the nest. “But get use to it you will be up here for the next few weeks.” Glancing over, he gave me a small smile. He is probably going to just stare at my flank every time I'm not looking so he isn't going to be too bored either.
“Sounds like fun.” Where did that feeling of adventure go, I miss it.
“Someone has to stay up here at all times. If we both are up here only one of us can take a nap. Someone has to always be up here day and night.”
“So who gets the late shift?” Why did I even ask that. It's obviously going to be me the rookie, me who is going to get suck with it.
“I don't know rookie who gets the night shift?” he gave a sly smile.
“Okay, okay I'll take the late shift seems fair.” Can't complain much, he did lose a leg after all.
The door to the captain's office opened and Monsoon marched off a bit upset about his assignments. Ha! Now you know being a sneaky shit gets you nothing bitch.
“During meals we usually have one sit up here while the other gets the food.” Once again I think I was going to be the only one going to get food for the both of us. We sat in silence after that for a little.
“I should have brought a deck of cards or something.” This is going to kill me. I don't even have ceiling tiles to count.
“We use to have a cribbage board but it got eaten with the last lookout who didn't dodge.” Buck you last lookout pony I will be bored for ages.
“What got them?” I could get a idea what might come for me.
“Water dragon, hopped right up and took the entire crows nest out in one bite.” He bit up at the air.
“Dragon!” How the hell did this boat survive a dragon, yet let alone fight it off. I don't think I gave this crew enough credit. I think I saw some of its scales on the wall inside the captain’s office.
“I warned him to be a fast little flyer but he didn't learn his lesson. Chomped and gone in one bite.” he shook his head in disappointment.
“If I get eaten please beat up Monsoon for me, trouble follows that stallion.” Crap why did I just say that. I really need to think before I say anything.
“The captain won't tolerate that.” With a borrow of his brows he glared down at him.
“No it's just that. He is a sneaky little bugger and tries to get out of the hard stuff. It usually bites him in the butt though.”
He eased up, “I hope he isn't the source of the trouble or the captain will take his life as forfeit. We don't need a trouble maker on this ship.” He seemed to wince at that, I wonder why.
“No, no just usually harmless stuff but don't worry I'll keep my eye on him.” Please don't have let me have fucked up everything again.
“I’m not too worried the captain has been sailing her entire life and none of the shit he can pull will get past her.” I wonder what she did before she was captain. I didn't get her name it wasn't even on the bio.
“Oh.” She doesn't swear like a sailor though.
“Not this route in particular but still has been out sailing the seas. She has done this one several times though.” There was a short pause as he contemplated something. “I hope those bastards pay already. It would suck to get mostly there only to have to turn back around and sail back. Take a guess who gets to tell the captain.”
Please don't be me, please don't be me.
“Us?” I really didn't want to hear the answer.
“Yep. We get to fly and bring the bad news to everyone. This job isn't the best but it is very important, how do you think I lost my leg?”
“You aren't just telling me this story to freak me out because I'm the new mare.”
“No the captain took my leg and I'm telling you so you will know to not piss off the captain.”
Top of my don't list now, do not piss off captain whatever I do. I like having all my limbs attached thank you.
“That is awful!” You upset the captain so she took a limb. That's is just mean and sadistic, and evil. Is she the one working with the zebras?
“No, it's fine I did do something really stupid and deserved it.” He tensed up at the memory.
“But you said it was for delivering the news!” He has to be messing with me.
“It wasn't for that. I was a bad thief and got caught trying to steal something the captain was shipping.” Great now I know I'm working with a failed thief. I'm going to have to make sure that no one steals my panties now.
“She should have taken a front hoof not a back one.” He couldn't steal anything with one front hoof.
“She took of my back leg and told me I work for her now till I can pay for everything I was about to steal or I could die.”
I wonder how long ago that was.
“Sounds like a fair trade to me.” He was at least given a second chance. Maybe the captain Isn't that evil of a mare, “ She could have turned you in or just killed you on the spot.”
“She used a knife as others held me down. They didn't take pleasure in it but they knew I had to be punished.” Looking at his missing leg I could gain new appreciation for what it meant and why he didn't replace it.
We sat watching the clouds for a while after that. I could see one that looked like a pony dancing. We were finally far enough from land that I couldn't see it but the water licking at the boat gave us some nice atmosphere. I could get use to this. Neither of us really wanted to continue that talk. He was the first to break the silence.
“What did you do before this?” He nudged me as I got lost staring into the horizon.
“Mostly miscellaneous jobs and heavy lifting.” Not entirely a lie.
“Ah, so that's what your friend will be doing down there.” With a chuckle Clairvoyance waved to where he was mopping the deck. “But our heavy lifting here is a little different. When they don't have an assignment the captain will probably lower the anchor a little and have them pull it back up over and over again. You know, builds character.”
“That would definitely help toughen him up. I am going to be laughing at him for having my old job.” Snickering, I had to wonder if he was even strong enough to lift the ship's anchor.
“Yep and that will help the anchor rope stay red, keeping all of it color coded.” he smirked.
I peered down to see if the ropes where different colors. Just the anchor rope was red and the others brown.
“You know there are pulley systems and stuff like that to help pull it up. Or are you trying to clean it by constantly dropping it into water.” Sounds trivial and stupid to me.
“It helps toughen ponies.” He flexed.
I could still easily beat his weak rump in a hoof wrestling contest.
There was silence again, I watched ponies move about doing their chores. Keeping an eye out for anything dangerous. After sine time even I got really bored, this was worse than guard duty.
The captain had signed the only zebra crew-mate to do the same chores as Monsoon. Hold on, don't tell me that he plan for that. No he isn't smart enough, I blame stupid luck.
“What's the point of even getting a room if one of us have to stay up here at all times?” Probably just a place just to put my shit.
“Some place to sleep when the other is on duty. Speaking of which, I'll probably go get some sleep soon.” Stretching he got up and rubbed his eyes.
How long have I been up here already?
“When do I get to sleep?” Please don't tell me I going to be sleeping during the day.
“They didn't tell you the schedule? I will get midnight to midday you will get morning to night and the other gets midday to midnight.”
Wait, there is a third Pegasus? Where is he, he should be up here by now.
“What am I doing up here if you're up here?” I grumbled. What a waste of a perfectly good day.
“Learning.” With that he went on to explain the signals I was to give and how to give them depending on what I saw.
It was nothing special, just had to announce what it was, where it was and then point. He nicely reminded me that the crow's nest proctects from nothing so dodging was essential. Thankfully he took the late shift as the other look out seemed to be tardy.
Wait on I found him. Sitting above us a small pegasus sat on the tip of the center mass. Grumbling, Clairvoyance waved me off. I flew down to see how Monsoon was doing.
Landing beside him as he continued to scrub the deck he glared up at me, “Having fun up there?”
He did not seem happy about his new job. Ha! this did't look like it was part of his plan.
“Yep! I get to see the entire ship along with all the drama that happens.” I beamed at him as he scrubbed.
“Yay for you, tomorrow I get to peel potatoes on the deck. The deck! And if I drop one, goddess help me if I drop one they will smack me. Not even the fun type of smack the violent one that stings." He scrubbed the deck with rage.
“Too bad it's not the fun one.” Chuckling at him I had fun and slapped the air. “You should have told them you were good at navigation or something."
“I did that and it got placed on miscellaneous jobs anyways.”
He seemed amused at my ass slapping technique.
“Well that sucks. I'm hungry so I’m off to get me some food. See ya when you finish cleaning.” I started trotting off happily to get food.
“I know some me some sea shanty's.” He called out behind me as I trotted off.
After eating my meal I promptly went to my room to sleep before an impromptu sing song could ruin my night. I had a nice dream too I was a wonder bolt and my mom was proud of me. My sister was back from school and not as much of a snobby bitch and my dad was there holding me. My dad the big heroic zebra who was only a whore to be with my mother but secretly he was a super spy… I love dreams.
Jumping from my bed I was woken up by a brisk knocking at the door. I shot a glare at whoever dared wake me before I wanted to get up, then I realized I had glared at the captian. “Sorry”
She pointed up with a hoof.
Nodding, I took a glance at the other two were up and gone already. Crap, am I late?. She trotted off and woke up a few more crew members. Making my way, I quickly grabbed breakfast for two.
The wind had picked up a little but still no problem for me to fly though to the nest, Clairvoyance was there.
“There is a storm coming.” He spoke ominous of the wind then took his food and started to eat.
“Ya could feel it on my way up. So what do I do now? There is the thunder on the horizon!” Dramatically, I pointed my hoof in the direction the storm was most likely to come from. That only earned me a smack.
“Unless you see it don't give out false calls. False alarm!” The second part was directed to the crew who had gathered on the edge of the boat to see if they could see the dark clouds.
At the new information I could hear a few grumbles and ponies trotted back to their posts.
“Sorry, didn't realize that was a call.”
“Yes it's a call especially if you ever see chain lightning. Some storms have those and trust me you will know it when you see it.” He returned back to his food.
“How dangerous is chain lightning?”
I could imagine lightning bouncing around a ship setting multiple parts on fire.
“It can burn holes through ships that's the fastest way to lose one.”
“Anyway is there a way to know if the storm is one with chain lightning or not?”
“Nope. Nature is just a homicidal bitch sometimes and with that I'm off to get some sleep, see ya.” He grabbed the empty plates and flew off.
Great! I'm all here by myself, with a storm so far out I can't see it. One that could potentially sink us… no I'm not suppose to be scared not at all. Hold on, isn't he suppose to be up here till noon? That jackass ditched me. He may be older than me and the other guy but he is not supposed to abandon me here.
Bored, I looked down at the deck and spotted my friend and the zebra getting to work on their muscles with the anchor.
Dropping the anchor and bringing it back up has to be slowing us down a little. Is it really worth slowing us down to get a workout. Probably just another one of those macho things. I have a bad feeling I'm going to be dealing with a lot of that on this trip. The guards had macho things they did to but usually they didn't do it too much in front of me. They were too scared to do it when I was there of me in fear that I would walk over and school them all. Then there were those who did macho things in front of me to try to get with me. It did work sometimes can't lie. Compared to the guards at my post this is just more funny to watch.
Now the zebra’s hooves are bleeding. Well he has to thank rope burn for that probably. Monsoon like usual looks fine, hold on. He should be bleeding to if was as weak as he had showed. The captain seemed to have noticed that. Hopefully, she will just think it was nothing. Wow how many times is she going to make them do that. I counted seven before Timber stopped them and made the go off to clean up.
“Hey ya!”
Glancing back I could see the other Pegasus I was suppose to work with. He was cream colored with sky blue eyes, mane and tail. He sounded a little younger than me and was chest height. He sat on the edge of the nest like a bird with his chest puffed out. Probably trying to look more stallion in front of the pretty mare, cute. “Zipping Skies” he thrusted his hoof at me.
“Salty.” Reaching back I gave him a firm hoof shake. Why did this stallion give me a bad feeling.
“Sooooo you're our new look out gal? Did the boss tell ya bout initiation?” Keeping his chest puffed out he took off flying around and landed on the edge of the nest next to me.
“No.” But my striking hoof is in range of your tender bits so be careful what you say next Skies. “Am I going to get my hoof cut off or bitten by something?”
“Nope.” His smile only got bigger.
I can potentially see this pony crying in pain in the near future.
“Then what?” it took all my will not to sound like I wanted to break him if he suggested what I think he was about to.
“They always do potato peeling a few days after leaving port so me and the old cook made a game out of it.” Reaching into his saddlebag he pulled out a bag of rocks. “ It's a simple game you try to hit the potato out of her hoof as there cutting them.” Okay he isn't as stupid as I though. Not demanding special treatment where no one can see us probably just saved his limbs and maybe his life. We just going to haze the workers.
“I have to bunk in the same room as them. There going to kill me with sea shanties and other loud annoying things.” I might not get my much needed sleep tonight.
“Come on it's a tradition.” he hopped down beside me and together we watched as Monsoon and the zebra went to work on peeling the potatoes.
Monsoon was having a little bit of a hard time trying to both not drop it and over trim it. The zebra was having a absolutely terrible time and taking way too much off the potato as he tried to cut it. At least the captain had gotten the zebra's hooves wrapped up before letting him work on potatoes. Timber was watching over the two with a belt strap tapping his shoulder ready to strike if a potato was to fall.
“They are not going to let me sleep if I do this. The captain is going to get mad at us if we do this won't she?”
“Only if we get caught and the captain ain't watching us now.” Knew it but you know what he was smart enough not to ask for stupid stuff so I should give him a brake.
“You're hazing me aren't you?” Purposefully trying to get me into trouble. But this might make me feel better about what that bastard did to my life.
“Naah I ain't hazing ya. You were important enough to put up here so now we're best friends.” Leaning over her tried to put a wing on my back. He didn't quite make the height requirements and only managed to a few feathered on and that's it.
“Don't make me throw a rock at you.” Pushing him off with one of my wings we both laughed.
He hopped back up on the edge of the nest again, “Choose your target Salty.”
I could see that the two of them where working really hard. I am so going to regret this. “Alright the winner doesn't have to sit in the crow's nest tomorrow.”
“And how do you plan on getting away with that?” Straight up just abandoning your post.
“Easy me and the old cook do this stuff every time we get a new pony up here. Usually, he gets the rocks and stuff but cap made sure all three of us ain't on the same shift. I just have to tell Timber that we're all good.” Glancing sideways at me he gave me the most sincere grin he could muster.
“Okay I choose the brown one. But you go first.” If I win this I'll get a chance to search the ship tomorrow with no wondering eyes and be able to look around more for anything that looks like a zebra trap. I needed to win.
“Got ya, taking aim...Fire!” Grabbing a rock from his bag he leaned back a little with the rock held high and wiped it down at Monsoons head.
“Ouch!" Monsoon’s hoof came up to his head rubbing it as he looked around.
Zipping looked proud flapping his wings, “Two points for me. One for the body, two for the head, five if knock the potato out of their hoof but if the rock lands on the potato bag we are done. Usually get in trouble after that anyways so don't do it.”
He was now two points ahead, need a head or potato to pass. I wonder how many points it is if I'd hit the knife. Taking aim, I throw the rock down at the zebras knife. Splat!! The potato tumbled out of the zebras hoofs and rolled away. There was a sharp crack as he was immediately hit and told to grab a new potato. Now I feel bad, he doesn't deserve this I hope he is the evil zebra.
“Damn you got five points already. I'm going to have to step up my game if I wanna win. Also we switch every round. My turn.” Hurling his rock down at them it hit the zebra in the shoulder. “One more for me.” he boasted.
Monsoon I hope this hurts. I aimed and fired hah! Got his head again. He glanced up at us and looked quite upset. Don't feel bad about hitting him at all. Seven and four. Hehe this is pretty darn fun. Taking a quick peak the captain was still standing at the helm and the crew were keeping busy. The storm clouds off in the distance where moving away from us so no storm.
“My turn and this is where I take the lead you will see.” Zipping his pebble down he was going for the potato. I could hear it whistle as it plummeted towards the potato. Did Monsoon's eye just glisten in the sun light?
Crap!! Ducking down so I had just enough cover I watched his irritation become to much for him to bare. Leaning in his blade shined in the light and at the very last second he brought it up violently slapping the rock back with a loud ping and show of magic sparks. I heard the rock whip back up and watched as it connected with Skies’s right eye.
“BUCK!” Falling back into the nest he clutched his eye and rolled around. He rolled around clutching his eye for a bit yelling about how much it hurt. When he stopped I could see why. It was black and puffing up. He would be able to see out of it again but not any time soon maybe it might take a week to heal.
“I think the rock wins” Giggling I watched him hold his face and rock back and forth.
Grumbling he just laid there cursing the fucked up earth pony and his rock flinging knife.
“Ow!” Something just hit the back of my neck… oh crap I'm in trouble. Turning around the captain was in the crow's nest holding a bag of pebbles and looking at me with a raised eyebrow. “It was his idea.” I quickly pointed at Skies with a hoof.
She leaned in getting ready to whispering something in my ear.. I whimpered right before she grabbed my head and not so gently bounced it off the center mass making my world spin and filling my head with pain as I slumped to the floor. Ow ow ow! I knew this initiation shit was a bad idea. I sat there trying to stop my world from spinning. Silver don't take a hoof blow from her, she can kick my ass. It feels like I just got hit by a damn sledgehammer. Hearing a cry of pain made me feel much better about the pain in me because that idiot just got hit too. The captain took off shortly after and I took the opportunity to hit the jerk myself.
“Ow. Why? Why must all the mares around me hit me?”
You know why.
“You got me in trouble and hit!” How the buck did she sneak up on me? I was keeping my eye out for her.
“But it was fun!” Chuckling he held his rib where the captain had hit him hard enough to bounce him off the edge of the nest and land against the center mass.
“No it wasn't they were pathetic and couldn't throw anything back.” I couldn't look at him my head hurt and it made want to hit him again. It was a one sided, we had the height advantage and rocks. They had nothing.
“Not pathetic enough I still got injured by your stupid friend.” Almost on cue we heard a resounding crash from below. Hehe seems the captian got to him too. I have to muster enough focus to see this. Crawling to the edge of the nest I snuck a peek to see what had happened.
Monsoon was holding the back of his hand as the captain watched. I think she had grabbed him and slammed the back of his head against the deck. Even though it wasn't me doing that to him, it felt oh so satisfying. I’m going to sit here for a sec and just enjoy this. The crew laughed at him and his plight. Captain glanced up at me and I could tell by the way she smirked she had fun disciplining us.
Turning back to the inside of the crows nest my world finally decided to stop it's constant rotation. Zipping was holding the side of his head where I had hit him. At least his head was not filled with a thudding pain and if it was well it wasn't enough. Reaching over I shook him violently. “Get up we need you attentive boy. Get up!”
“Give me a minute I just got my ass kicked by two mares and a fucked up stallion.” He tried to push me off to no avail. Whatever he wasn't worth the effort. He whimpered when I dropped him.
“We still have a job to do.“ Looking out I couldn't spot anything that needed immediate warning. The captain had taken the helm again and she was watching me. Please let there not be a round two. What was she waiting for? There was no call, there were no storms, there were no monsters, the winds were still going north…. no they were going east. I called out the change of wing and that must have been what she was waiting for because she stopped staring at me. The crew got to work adjusting for the change in wind.
Looking back, Zipping was still on the floor. “Get up already you're missing calls.”
“But I hurt.” Any cuteness he might have had died at his whining. A small rock flew up and landed right on the side of his head. “Ow.” Was his grumbled reply. I had a feeling I knew where that rock came from.
Peering over the edge of my nest just enough of me poking out of cover so I could look down I spotted the culprit. It would seem the captain had decided she was going to give us a hard time for what we did. She was still at the wheel but her other hoof was tossing a pebble up and down. She had a big grin on her face. Let's see if she keeps that grin scooping up the rock I took aim. But before I could throw zipping grabbed my hoof.
“Unless you have a death wish don't do it.” He pried the rock from my hoof and threw it off the ship entirely. Then I got hit with another stupid rock.
“The captain is having all the fun I just want to make it a game of pass.” Zipping grabbed the rock before I could get my hooves on it and got rid of it.
The captain spent the rest of the day tossing rocks at us whenever we were distracted or looked too comfortable. Zipping Skies nicely informed me he had packed thirty rocks and she seemed determined to use all of them. I technically won so Zipping told me I get tomorrow off. Not worth spending the day doing a treasure hunt for zebra bombs.
When the sun started setting I soared down to see how the two are doing. The captain had used all her rocks and was off to sleep but Lumber was still around with the night crew. The two seemed not to have fared too badly. Monsoon had three lumps including the one the captain gave him and the zebra had ten. They were cleaning up potato scraps off the deck.
Soothing the zebra I tried to be warm. “Need any help with that?” I gave my best ‘I’m sorry I got you hit earlier and it really does make me feel bad’ smile.
“No, I'm good.” And like that the cold shoulder. Although now that I'm closer up I can see he is a little taller than Monsoon and showed more muscle too. He had gray eyes that were determined not to acknowledge me but his mane was cut short so I know he could see me in his peripheral vision. His voice was nice at least, though it seem he has a hard time speaking Equestrian.
“So how you guys day been?” Not that I really cared much just still feeling bad for hurting the zebra.
“Improving. But somebody didn't help with that.” He growled up at me.
Hopefully they did improve because if the zebra kept dropping the potatoes at the beginning of the day the chef was going to kill him.
“I had to do it! It was an initiation thing and I won so I get the day off tomorrow to explore.”
He glared at me for another second then dropped it.
“I didn't mean for it to really hurt I was holding back. I was aiming for the potatoes not your heads.” They don't need to know I wasn't holding back.
“Your game was to try and get us hit, bastards.” He tossed a scrap of potatoes at me that bounced off my neck.
“I needed to do something because I have been up there occasionally flying around but mostly just sitting watching all day. I feel like my muscles are getting dystrophied or something.” I stretched.
“Go fly around maybe do like laps or something around your nest.” He grabbed the scraps he had thrown at me.
“I will probably get in trouble.” If I don't move around more I'm just going to become a head with wings… that is a terrifying thought. I'm doing laps tomorrow.
“Your problem.” Shrugging, he got back to work.
I went over and did a few trots around the ship for a while to get a my blood pumping and make up for sitting around all day. Got food then went back to my room for a bit of exercise push-ups. Then when I was finally ready for sleep all curled up in my bed they appeared.
I rolled over begging them for forgiveness… they had none. They sang for hours fucking zebra sea shanties. I learned a few, they just kept going on. Thanks for the work out earlier me because my exhaustion helped me find sleep during their stupid singing.
Crescent Moon
(Casting Monsoon)
Stepping above deck the bitter night air brushed against my coat irritating my injuries. My throat hurt from all the singing earlier but it was so worth it.
You should get a jacket.
“I know.” Whispering to myself I scanned the area. There was the night time skeleton crew Timber and him. Zalamar the zebra was leaning against the railing on the front of the ship. I kept my hooves quiet as I approached he was a charming stallion and I was enjoying the view.
You know better.
Nodding I trotted up beside him. “Do you miss home?” Made him jump, poor stallion he must have been deep in thought.
“Yes. I came to your country four years ago to learn in one of your school's.” If he came here he had to be a higher level craftsman or maybe a scholar. Four years is plenty of time to finish an academy.
“Enjoy your time here?” Equestrian schools weren't as strict as zebras. Physically punishing a student was banned here and they don't publicly humiliate students who do bad.
Nodding, he raised a eyebrow at me and turned back to look me in the eye. “You speak my people's language fluently and with such ease. May I ask who taught you?” Oops must have started speaking zebra and I hadn't noticed.
Idiot .
“You probably won't believe my true story but here is a summed version. My parents lived near the zebra empire capital. I was raised till the age of ten then made my way to Equestria. I haven't seen my home in nine years.” It was the truth even if it was missing almost all the details. I looked far off into the distance. And I knew what he was looking for earlier, our home the zebra nation.
I remember the food with so many more spices than here. I remember everyone wearing robes and being so polite to each other. The pink trees and the multitude of different colored fish. All the statues to the stars all over the place most to the stars of protection of luck. It was always clean and beautiful. The markets that would go for miles and always had something new.
Got lost in thought. “What? Sorry memory's.”
“I had asked you claim to be from the capital but I don't see any stripes on you how can this be?”
Easy I have a wonderful curse.
“The physical stripes your race is known for may not show on my back, but it is hemmed into my soul.” My teacher would be so proud of that answer, cryptic as buck but still the truth. “Let's us not dwindle on a mystery however. Anything interesting from our culture during your time in our lands?”
He took a moment to think, “You ponies swear a lot.”
Well buck he knows equestrian shits so bucking well. I let myself laugh, “Yes, yes indeed. Is that why you're going home? We swear to bucking much?” I'm having fun with this.
Don't relax he could be the enemy.
Shut up! I can have fun if I want to. And thinking of fun I wonder how the changelings at home are holding up. Wish I stayed longer, I am not being a good leader. Crap I'm getting distracted again.
“No Monsoon. I'm going home because I finished getting a degree in sculpting. I intend to go back and make my family a fortune in star statues.”
Fast way to get my hair to stand on end. Relax he has no idea, probably, maybe, hopefully. He has a degree?
“If you can afford an academy for four years why do you choose to travel by cargo ship instead of a passenger ship?” Specially one that will probably never make it.
“I ran out of money and couldn't afford a ticket back home. They have significantly increased the fairing prices since I came here four years ago.” Well the new Caesar being a dick probably doesn't help… wow I do swear a lot I need to watch that.
“Couldn't earn a few bits before leaving?” Kind of felt bad for him.
Don't trust him!
Shut up go and watch the captain or something just shut up. But it is true he could have made all of this up.
“I did but not enough. So you and your wife work on ships for a living?”
I fell on my ass I laughed so hard. Silver my wife? The idea was so ridiculous I couldn't help myself from laughing hard enough to send me rolling on the ground. “No no no me and her are just working together she is a acquaintance maybe close to being a friend but that's it.” She is good looking and sometimes nice but she can be violent and an utter bitch most of the time.
“Oh I am sorry for making a wrong inquiry.” He looked around nervous that others might come over, they weren't. Leaning in he whispered, “Is she seeing anyone?”
Damn it Silver why do you get all the cute stallions and mares asking me if you're available? Agh I have been working with you for a week and a few days and already half my people at home want you and this is the third crew member to ask me, damn you Silver! If this keeps up I am going to lose my shit.
“No she has a boyfriend back in Canterlot.” Who is probably changeling food by now but buck her it's her fault not mine this time. I took the steps to protect her family.
“That is… to bad. She seems like quite a catch.”
You haven't even talked to her you stupid zebra. She is a bitch who pulled on your heart strings for fun. Can't believe she still my first kiss. Not to mention she will steal your drinks.
“Trust me you're good. I have worked with her for a little and in that short time I have learned to find her irritating.” How her boyfriend Isn't snapped in half by now is far beyond me.
“I think I'll try my hoof anyways tomorrow if I get a chance.”
Good luck. She might just kill you by accident while searching the ship.
“Careful she is a little jumpy please don't spook her. Her right hook feels like a ton of bricks hitting you.” Grinning I got a little kick out of scaring the shit out of anyone who goes after Silver. No idea why but it's fun.
“Noted. Well Monsoon I'm quite tired and we still have a lot of work set up for tomorrow. You should get some sleep too.” He turned to leave but looked back when I wasn't joining.
“I'll be there in a bit just have a few thing to think about before going to sleep.” Waving him off, I looked up at the stars. I heard him trot off and leave me in silence. My mind was full of memories of the last time I sailed these seas leaving my home. I wonder how my sis is doing. The day I left replaying over and over in my mind. “I wonder how everyone at home is doing?” I felt pain, anger and sorrow when I thought about it. I need to go back one day.
“Stars I hope you're happy with yourselves and what you have done. Stay up there looking down at us judging our actions. I hope down here are fucking amusing to you.” Assholes. I felt my magic boiling inside of me fueled by my hate for the ever watching stars. Then I sat there for a while glaring up at them and let myself simmer down. “If you're watching lady star of luck please watch over this crew and protect them.” With those final words I pushed myself off the edge of the boat and trotted back to my bed.
The captain was there watching me, when she got behind me I have no idea. Her wings are silent but know what I don't care. I'm too tired for this, sleep time for this cursed zebra. As I walked past her she had a soft smile on.
Silver Stripes Level up: Level 3
