New land, A New Home.

***Talion Ragnarok.***

There were so many maps, I had to rearrange them on the floor to get a full picture of what the world looked like around me. There were not that many about other lands, but equestria was mapped out in full. I placed other maps around it as I slowly built what the world looked like. If I was reading this right, Saddle Arabia was to the east and north of Shadow Haven. From what Certus said, it was a endless land of sand.

I found that hard to believe, I just think the rest of their territory hasn’t been mapped out yet. To the north east was Black Marsh, a land of swamp and bog. To the west of Black Marsh was what they called the Great Southern Rainforest. Certus said that land was a endless jungle of trees.

To the west of the rainforest was a land called the Volcanic Wastes. The only thing he would talk about was this place called Port Oblivion. To the north of these three places was equestria, and I had to say it looked nothing like it did in the show. This trader couldn’t stop talking about the ponies. It got kind of irritating when you kind of already know of them, But I tried to not let that slip as we talked.

To the north west of equestria was the Dragon Badlands. Really, that what they're called? Certus even told me about this rumor going around that a army of griffons killed a dragon. I didn’t know if this was true or not, but I was willing to take his word with a grain of salt. Next to that to the east was the Changeling Wasteland and to the north of them was the Crystal Empire. I always expected the Crystal Empire to be, bigger...

Anyway to the east of those to lands was Gem Fido, and according to Certus that place was ruled by diamond dogs. Not only that the diamond dogs took slaves for their mines. I repressed the urge to hiss at this. I didn’t want to scare off our only source of information. He then told me about The Griffon Dominion. By the sounds of it there kingdom was falling apart. The Griffons who came with us looked depressed at this news, I’d hate to find out how the ones going to equestria will handle this.

He then informed me of this chain of islands called the Zebrican Islands, that go all around the world. Huh, I’d always thought they have there own continent. Certus then brought up this one map with it island that looked like a cow head? He said it was called Bullivia with a city called Stonehaven and said it was where all the monitors lived. This made me sad, that Eron a monitor who helped me died before he could leave the island of Endless Storms. He also managed about this place called Signal but he hasn’t been there yet.

As we talked and my own scouts handed copies of what we found out. I said it was only recently that we began mapping out our lands. He found it believable, I got curious and asked what was to the south and east of Saddle Arabia? I didn’t know if it was the way I said it, or how I asked. But as soon as those words left my mouth Certus stopped talking.

He stared at me as if this was a touchy subject. After that we found an agreeable fee for the maps, and traded some of the foods we found. Like nuts and berries, but before Certus left he said. “Don’t journey past Saddle Arabia, it not safe to the south.” Was all he said to me before he left. I was still thinking about his warning as I looked at all the maps, sitting on the floor with my legs crossed.

“Do you think he was telling us the truth?” I asked Hel, as she was calmly watching me work out this jigsaw puzzle of maps.

“I feel he didn’t tell us everything. Not only that we know very little about the world.” Said Hel, as I noticed she was eating some nuts. She offered me some and I took a couple. I rolled them in my hand, before using my front teeth to crack the shell open before slowly eating the nut inside.

“These other lands we can find out about in due time. Our first priority should be to map out the rest of Shadow Haven. Find more fresh water and food, and expanding our settlement.” I added, then looked to Dilly. “What do you think, how long would all that take?”

“Umm, one moment Talion.” Pickl Dilly said, as he mumbled to himself and had of all things an abacus. “Let see, going by these numbers. Take into account of fillies being born? Umm, pups I mean. A-anyway, carry the five. To bring things up to living standards, it will take about... Five years. Maybe nine give or take if things turn bad?”

My jaw droped at this news, f-five years? This must be a joke, they can’t expect me to sat on my ass for five years! No wait, he said it would be nine if things turn bad! “Bad like what?” I asked picking up the nuts I dropped on the maps.

“Oh you know, pirate raids, sea storms, sirens, plages, running out of food. Can’t find enough water, somepony declares war on us, monster attacks, being attacked by slavers, being attacked by dragons!” Pickles said as he was starting to yell, I think I may of made him go into a panic attack. Lucky for us Buggey handled this.

“Hey calm down mate, listen. How about you take the night off. Come on I’ll get you a drink.” Buggy said as he lead the panicky unicorn out of the hut. I sighed as I watched him go before looking to the others.

“What do you all think?” I asked looking at each of them. After a round of talking, Maggabl wanted more help with finding out about this wild magic thing that was found in some ruins. Mandy wanted to map out more of Shadow Haven. Browns wanted to get some real cannons on his ship. I then looked to Hel, she thinks everyone should turn in for the night after diner. I found myself agreeing with that. So did everyone else, we had dinner then we all went to our own huts.

The next day I was enjoying my time with Hel, we were both curled up in each other's arms, legs and tails. Still getting used to having a tail, even though I’ve had it for a year now. A year on that island was hell, or should I start saying tartarus? Whatever, I didn’t want to get up.

“Good morning.” I heard Hel say, I purred as I opened my eyes. I didn’t want to get up, but it was worth it to see her. To see Hel looking so happy and content. I smiled as I stared into her eyes.

“Good morning. What time is it?” I asked nuzzling my face into her neck. I don’t know why, but she always smelled of something sweet. I could never put my finger on it.

“The sun hasn't come up yet.” She replied before nuzzling me back. That's far too early as far as I’m concerned. I groaned as I buried myself in the blankets and Hel embrace.

“To early, Let's go back to sleep.” I asked, as I felt Hel run her hand through the fur on my head. It felt nice, she then scratch under my chin and cheeks. It felt so nice, is this what being a cat feel like? I then started making this strange squeaking sound in my throat. My eyes shot open as I blinked at this, Hel giggled.

“Umm, did I just make that sound?” I asked as Hel still held me in her arms. The albino Muself smiled at me calmly as she nodes her head yes. “Is that normal?”

“Yes Talion, that was normal.” She replied before going back to stroking my fur again. “But you need to get up, you’ll have a long day ahead of you. I’m a little worried about the other members who follow the light.”

That got me thinking, I know Hel believes in some kind of religion but I never asked about the details? “You know, I never asked about what your religion was about. Do you think you can tell me?” I asked, Hel looked surprised I’d ask this. “And what wrong with the others?” Hel sighed as she sat up with the blankets around herself.

“Well to start with, We have a goddess called Goddess of light. She being life to the world and protects the unfortunate. It is said she controls the sun and decides when it should rise and fall.” Hel began to explain, I wanted for her to finish before asking any questions.

“She also has a sister, the Goddess of Shadows. She brings the night and looks after those who rest under the night sky. We pray to both of them to keep us and the other Muself safe.” Once Hel was finished I had to ask her something.

“That, Sounds a little bit like the princesses Luna and Celestia.” I asked as she smiled at this. Hel then started playing with her tail.

“Our belief is only five hundred years old. It still something new that only those like myself take up. I guess it can be seen in that way, but they’re not the same. Much like your own kind the nightwalkers believe they were created by Nightmare moon.” She replied before looking at the helmet that was setting at the side of our bed. Before we left a old Nightwalker gave it to me, saying that our lady of the night wished to see the world.

What I didn’t know at the time and only found out after we set sail, was a shard of Nightmare moon soul was trapped in the helmet. And she acted like a little twelve year old. “I do not!” Yelled a voice in my head, yeah that was her. I saw a small shadow of Nightmare come out of the helmet. And what walked out was a mini Nightmare moon, only she was smaller and looked adorable.

“Hello little one.” Said Hel smiling at her. The mini nightmare squeaked before hiding behind me. Little Moon as I’ve started to call her, poked her head out from behind me as she looked at Hel.

“Don’t laugh at me.” She asked looking embarrassed about her small form. I shook my head and pet her on the head before getting up.

“Well we’re all up now, so let's get dressed and have something to eat.” I said getting out of bed. I was glad I asked that tealer who was on the same ship as me to make me boxers, I asked if he could make shorts that go under my trousers. They worked, so in away that nightwalker just invented underwear for nightwalkers. Let's just say, now everyone was wearing them.

“So what the trouble with the others then?” I asked as I tried to get the small fire place going. That was used for cooking in the other room. I could never light the thing, but Hel can. She was really good at it. Little Moon didn’t eat, she told me she survived off of the magic of those who carried her helmet. I’m not sure how it's done, but she keeps telling me she doesn't need it.

“They think we’re all going to die.” Replied Hel as she light the fireplace, before getting some things. Meanwhile I was gathering up some things to cook.

“What gave them that idea?” I asked, once the pan was hot enough I started making scrambled eggs. Hel put in four rashers of bacon in the pan as I was cooking.

“They say this because the land look so different from our home. As far as they know we haven’t found water, or know about all the foods we've found.” Hel looked worried, I started dishing up our meal as we walked together.

“Hel relax, I’m sure this will blow over soon. Give it time.” I asked as we sat down to eat. She smiled and sat next to me, we talked as Little Moon watch as we had breakfast.

“What the hell is that?” I asked looking up at the sky, It was the middle of the day now and I noticed everyone was looking up. I then looked up and saw what they were staring at. If I was a betting man, I’d say it was a air ship. But I thought only the Equations had those, then again other lands could have use them to.

Maybe these are the guys that live at the south of Saddle Arabia. This could be an opportunity like no other. Or an attack, Oh crap this could be an attack. “Everyone same plan as yesterday! Females and Pups in the houses, anyone who can use a weapon grab one!” I yelled. As everyone scrambled, this was not my day.

Everyone was gathered but I told them to hide where they can, Buggy and Mandy were standing with me this time. As we saw the airship getting closer. “I hope they're friendly...” I said to myself.

“Maybe there friends of that horse who was here yesterday?” Said Buggy, but Mandy dashed that hope.

“They only been gone a full day, this thing coming from the north. They went east, no this is something else.” She said taking a arrow from her quiver. Grate, there go my hope for the day. The air ship was floating lower and lower, and what I started to see was worrying. The air ship looked like it was dragged through a swamp, it had some arrows stuck in the hull.

“Buggey, please tell me your guns are loaded?” I asked, I heard a click from his belt that made me feel a little more at ease. Unlike before when the boat came from the sea, the airship landed behind the settlement inland. Close enough to reach us, but far enough away so no one can get to it quickly. We didn’t see anything for a long while, but then Buggey started yelling.

“Anyone there!?” He yelled, as I and Mandy slowly look at him. He blinked back at us before he pulled the rifle from his back, the gun it self looked really simple and most likely had poor aim. I’ll ask someone to fix that later. “What?” He asked looking back at us.

I shock my head before looking back to the airship. I started to put my hand on nightmare moon helmet that I kept with me, that was hanging from my waist in a bag. The helmet even had some rope tied to it that was tied around my waist. That when we saw something fall overboard. I looked back at Buggey and Mandy.

“Mandy cover us, Buggey with me.” I said as we started walked over to the ship. More to the point to the one who fell out of the ship. This screamed horror movie jump scare to me. As we walked up to the one who feel out, well it didn’t look good. It was a dead griffon, the weird part was his father's were missing, not only that he looked like he was dead. I then saw the griffon was missing it right side exposing the ribs. Never mind he was dead.

“Okay... Who's going to go up on the creepy airship?” I asked as I looked back at Buggey. “Rock, Paper, scissors?” I asked as Buggey held out a fist, I did the same. We shook our fists three times, he had rock and I had scissors. “Best two out of three?”

Yeah that didn’t work, so I climbed up the side of the airship and carefully looking over the deck. This ship was full of dead griffon, they all had their father's missing. Whatever the hell happened to them wasn’t pretty, and the smell was just as bad.

I carefully made my way onto the deck without making a sound. I was just glad I got replacement gear from when I lost some of it to that big gator. I looked around to see who ever crewed this ship, looked like they were partly eaten.

“This screams zombie flick.” I said to myself softly, before looking back at Buggey. He just waves for me to continue on. Yeah sure make me go first, once I was on the deck I looked at all the dead bodies. Yeah these guys have been sitting here for awhile.

“Okay Talion, question of the day. How did these guys die?” I asked myself as I slowly made my way around the body's. The wood creaked under each step I made, there were two doors one to the rear of the ship and the other to the front. I made my way to the back of the ship and went to open the door, only to find it was locked.

“Lovely. Must be locked from the inside.” I said as I turned back and went to the front of the ship. By then Buggey made his way on to the deck.

“Anyone, alive?” He asked following after me. I shook my head no, well not yet anyway. I went up to the door and found it was open. I pushed it open to find the bridge. At least I think it was, if it wasn’t for the smell and the sound of flies buzzing around you wouldn't tell everyone inside was dead.

“That's a no I think?” I replied as I walked inside, we took a look around. These griffons were worse than the ones outside. There skin was peeling away, eye sockets were empty and vacant. “Whatever did this to them, ever killed them before they could leave or...”

“Or what?” Buggey asked as he was in the middle of looting the dead. Really man? “What?” he asked as I gave him that look of show some respect. Just then the door slammed shut.

“Buggy, tell me that was you?” I asked looking back at the door we just came through. He shook his head no as he was about to remove something from, the late captain of this ship. “I’d put that back if I were you...” I warned as I looked around for something useful.

“There already dead, don’t see why they'd still want it.” Buggey replied as he put the medal he was about to take back. “This ship is cursed.” Oh you think? I kept looking around, I then found a map covered in crud. I cleaned it off and had a look at it.

“By the looks of this, they came from the griffon drminon. And if I’m right they stoped in Black Marsh before...” I saw the line of ink was starting to look more shacky. And then it descends into mad scribbles. “Hey Buggey, think you can read this?”

“I’ll give it ago. I know a little bit of griffon writing.” He said walking over to me, before he turn it around to look at it. “Alright let's see, Ha. here we go, We never should have landed in that swamp. It hurts to think, it hurts to breathe, it even hurts to speck. I write this in the hopes others don’t end up like us, stay away from Black Marsh. We were all so hungry, I can hear them outside...”

Buggey stopped at that and took a closer look as I slowly look around the room. “I can hear them outside talking to me, but they’re not my friends. Not any more... They’re coming. Blood everywhere, eating each other... They’re coming, I took the map and hide in the engine room. I hoped I'd be safe there. They’re coming, they came through the walls screaming in pain and that they were hungry. They’re here...”

That when we heard something slam into the door out side. We draw our weapons as we heard scratching at the door, and what sounded like hissing. “Okay, so what are we dealing with?” I asked Buggey as he points his rifle at the door.

“Why are you asking me?!” He yelled as he put a paper shot into his rifle. Huh that save time on the whole, putting gunpowder into the barrel thing.

“You’re the fucking expert!” I yelled back, as a talon smashed it way through the wood door. They were not fucking dead, they were undead! “Fuck this!” I yelled, I kicked a dead griffon off a stool and picked it up, I then went up to the glass window and started hitting it like crazy. I had enough of this shit back on the island. I am not going through this crap again! That when I heard Buggey fired his rifle, the bang was followed by a scream.

“Any luck!” Buggey yelled, as I was making no head way through this fucking glass! I throw the stool to the side and looked around, I then saw something on the floor. I reached down and scraped my hands along the floor cleaning off as much dirt as I could. It was a hach.

“I found away out!” I yelled as I started pulling on the trap door. Bloody hell the hinges must be rusted shut! “I need a hand here!” I yelled, Buggey quickly ran over and helped me lift. We only managed to get it half way open, before more of the door gave way. We both went inside and started pulling on it to close the stupid door again. Once it was shut we heard them screeching and running all over the bridge to find us.

“Okay, okay. Undead griffons... That a new one on me.” I looked down the small hall and saw a lot of pipes. It looked like this part of the ship was waterlogged.

“How did they end up like that? There worse than the ferals back home.” Asked Buggey a we walked down the thin hall way. It was damp and smelly, like what you expect a gym basement to smell like. Only this place had rotting plants everywhere.

“Wait a minute, the map you was reading. Did it say where they were planning to go?” I asked as it may give us a clue about all this crazy shit.

“From what little I could read, they were heading for a place called Gem something. They were on some kind of rescue mission.” Buggey replied as we kept walking.

“Okay they were going to Gem Fido, but they end up in Black Marsh. Next question, that massage that was on the map. It said he was hiding in the engine room right?” I asked as we reached a door.

“Yeah so?” Asked Buggey as he helped me in trying to open it. It took a lot of effort but we managed, water washes out as we stepped inside. As I looked around the large room of metal and pipes. As Buggey was trying to now close the door.

“So what was the map doing on the bridge?” I asked and he looked back at me. Yeah, I guess we had the same thought now. Whatever killed the griffon who had the map last was in here. Took the map, then place it in the bridge.

“Something not adding up here.” I say, before we heard the screeching sound again.” They found the door!” I yeleld as I helped Buggey to shut the door to this room. Once it was closed we started putting whatever locks were in place on it. We both put our backs to the steel door as we heard them on the other side. “So how do we kill all of them?” I asked hoping he had some idea.

“Wait, what was this room called?” Buggey asked as he ran off and started turning crates that were scattered around the room. It was kind of obvious with the big engine in the room.

“Engine room, why?” I asked taking a breather. As I head those thing still outside. I started putting things in front of the door in a effort to barracked it. Until I noticed the large holes in the walls. “Don’t forget there might be holes in the walls in here.”

“What do all engine rooms need in order to work?” Buggey asked as he pulling a bunch of stuff together. “Fuel, wood, cole. Whatever you want to call it. They're all just basic components for alchemical reactions. With the right compounds, I can turn this place into a bomb.” Wait BOMB!?

“Wait, hold on. Buggey what the hell are you on about?” I asked only to find he was already in a world of his own.

“No time just keep them busy.” That had to be a joke. Right? I heard something and walked over to a wall with a large hole in it. Oh boy, this is going to suck.

“If we die here Buggey, I am so haunting your ass!” I yelled at him before going into the hole. I took careful steps inside as I had my sword out. This reminded me to much of my first day waking up, and almost being eaten by spiders.

I went deeper inside, that when I heard a hiss. I turned back and saw one of the dead griffon walking on the wall. Using my swords in such a small space will be difficult, so I put them away and pulled out my daggers. It screeched at me, as it only working eye stared at me. I really didn’t like this and that when it lunged at me. I duck and saw how it fell onto it face. I walked up planted my foot on it back and stab both my dagger into it back, all that did was make it scream.

It's already dead genius, think of something else! I was trying to think as the damned thing took a swipe at me, I jumped over it and looked back. The undead giffin was looking at a bag in it claws. Wait, I looked down at my hip and saw nightmare moon helmet hanging from my hip. With the bag now missing, lovely she going to complain that her helmet will get dirty.

“Give it... To us.” It asked in a raspy voice. Oh hell to the no, I am doing no such thing. I thought as I slowly back away from it. “Give it to us!” It screamed before it dropped the bag, I noticed more undead Griffins who were behind their friend running to meet me. Okay new plan, run.

I turned and ran through the narrowed halls of the ship, as I heard the mad undead griffons chasing after me. “Why everything want me dead?!” I asked as I ducked under a support beam.

I looked through my assortment of bombs, there was the smoke and flash bomb Lilly made. And a bomb Buggey made for quick getaways, he did give me one warning. Never use it in tight spaces. I didn’t have much choice right now! I pulled the small explosive off my belt. Triggering the lighter that was apart of it and drop it on the floor as I kept running.

I then saw a wall in my way, at first I thought it was a dead end until I saw a small opening off to the side. I didn’t slow down as I dive in head first into the opening, that when I heard the makeshift grande go off as I crawled through. I looked back to see a undead griffon trying to come in after me, until it was covered in flames. I backed away as the damn thing was no on fire and swinging it talons around trying to reach me.

I quickly found I was in a small room, I then noticed a small work desk with some kind of papers on it. I scramble to my feet grab the papers before stuffing them in my shirt, then opened the door and shut it behind me. I looked around at the new hall I was in, must be the crew's quarters? I didn’t have time to wonder this as I heard the screaming of the undead griffons.

“Never a break, not one?” I asked running down the hall until I came across some stares. I ran up them to find another trap door. I tried pushing at it only to find it was locked. “Oh come on really!?” I asked then looked at the wood the door was made out of, it looked rotten this gave me an idea. I used one of my daggers to try and pry the wood away, it worked. One beam of wood gave way before I worked on the next piece, I could hear them getting close as I popped the next one. Once I got the third off I tried crawling out of the new hole. That when I felt something grab my leg!

“Give it to us! We're so hungry! We needs it!” I looked back at the undead monster that had a hold of my leg, I then started kicking it in the head to get the horrible thing to let go. I didn't care about the horrible sounds it was making. I wanted to live!

“Fuck, off, and, stay, bloody, DEAD!” I yelled kicking it beak in. It head twisted round at an odd angle from my next kick before letting go. I scrambled to get back up to my feet to find I was on the main deck again. Then I saw Buggey run out the door that was locked.

“Run!” He screamed as he ran past, I didn’t question why as I ran after him. Once off the ship I notice three undead griffons were pinned to the ship by arrows. “Start running!” I heard Buggey yell again, this time at Mandy. We all ran until I heard this defining explosion that sent us all flying to the ground. My ears were ringing as I laid there not sure if I was alive or dead.

I gasp for air as I slowly roll onto my back to see the airship was nothing more than a pillar of smoke, fire and twisted metal. “Buggey, you alive?” I asked as I laid there.

“Yeah somehow.” Replied Buggey sounding how I feel. This was one of those days you didn’t want to get up for.

“Mandy?” I asked as I heard a grone. Good enough as long as she not dead that good in my book.

“Who idea, was it to do that?” She asked as I point in the derision I think Buggy was in. I just took in the sky as the smoke rises into it. I then sat up and looked at what was left. Nothing but a wreck, I looked back to the settlement and saw a large number of Nightwalkers and Muself running over with weapons in hand.

“What do you know, they do care.” I said letting myself smile before pulling the papers out of my shirt. I looked at them and frowned at what I saw. It looked like a drawing of a zebra and under his picture was a lot of zeros. “That something you don’t see everyday?”