There was something about being in the ocean that made you realize just how big the world was, and how small you were in existence. Millions of miles of water in every direction. The wind blowing in your face while you sailed only a tiny footnote in the overall world’s size. It was both a scary and yet intriguing experience. Taking in the sea air, Spike closed his eyes and let the soothing ocean sing to him peaceful songs of tranquility.

“Good gods above, I am bored!” Aquilina groaned, laying on the floor next to Spike. “Can’t we just get attacked by pirates already?! Or sea serpents? Or even a flying duck?! I’m tired of seeing Peewee flying in circles every five minutes!” Jumping to her paws, she rested her shoulders on the deck railing. “It’s like we’ve been sailing for days!”

“We’ve only been sailing for two hours,” Spike said, rolling his eyes. “You could always fly for a bit.”

“Yeah, and I could just see the ocean to the left! And ocean to the right! And ocean down below!” Aquilina mocked in a faking tone of amazement. “Truly, Marc gave us the greatest adventure of our lives!”

“You don’t see the others complaining.” Spike motioned to their companions on the other side of the ship. Yasahiro was still sitting in his meditative stance just as when they boarded while Azura and Windward were doing their usual banter.

“You know, if one of us drowns, we’ll have to save the other. Mouth to mouth is a pretty useful skill to have in times like this,” Windward said as he leaned forward to an uninterested Azura. “Why don’t we practice just in case?”

Azura slowly turned to Windward and gave a small smile. “Okay.”

“Wait, really?” Windward replied, eyes wide open. This also made Spike and Aquilina raise their eyebrows while Yasahiro even opened up one of his eyes to gaze at the duo. A blushing Windward cleared his throat before giving his best suave grin. Leaning against the mast pole with his forelegs cross, he cooly replied, “W-well, good to see you’re all for safety... and... stuff... yeah. So why don’t we just get to it, babe?”

Gently placing her hoof on his redding cheek, Azura whispered to him. “Close your eyes.” When he proceeded to do so, she lit up her horn. A few minutes later, a passing fish from the sea was brought on board. Realizing what she was about to do, Spike and Aquilina had to cover their mouths to avoid laughing while Peewee was already squealing in laughter up on the mast. Azura slowly pushed the mouth of the fish towards Windward’s puckered lips and a wet smack was heard all over the deck. In an instant, the snickering dragon and griffin lost all control and fell down in pure laughter. Windward was too lost in the moment of his ‘victory’ to hear them, and proceed to smooch the fish with as much force as he could. He even brought out his tongue to explore the inner carvings of his most prized desire.

“Why Windward, I had no idea you were into fish zoophilia?” Azura playfully teased as Windward immediately opened his eyes and realized what he was kissing. Dropping the fish, the smirking unicorn walked past the pale pegasus with a flick of her tail. “I suppose the sea does drive ponies crazy.”

Covering his mouth, Windward flew towards the railing and began to hurl overboard as the team continued to laugh at his misfortune. Even Yasahiro chuckled a bit before closing his eyes again.

After puking his guts out, Windward wiped his muzzle before glaring at the smirking prankster. “You... may be... a hot pony... Azura.” He gagged a bit before shivering. “But you are one cold bitch.”

“Thank you,” she replied.

“If the lot of ya are done with your comedy routine I’d like to discuss yer job.”

The group looked up to the rear deck where their client was slowly making his way down the stairs of the upper deck. He had been silent since they left port, not telling them one thing about the job until now. Spike motioned for them all to gather as the griffin captain stood before them. “Now, before we begin, I want to tell you that what we’re about to do is dangerous and most likely could get us killed if we do this wrong. If ya got any complaints, tough luck. You’re in this job until I don’t need you anymore or ya get killed.”

“Yeah, yeah. We get it. We’re all in danger. Blah blah blah, just get to the treasure already,” Aquilina said, rolling her eyes. She got glared at for her comments, but their contractor didn’t say anything. “At least tell us your name first, old guy.”

“My name is Captain Razorwing. I was once a smuggler for contraband goods. I’ve sailed all over the Erebus islands and the mainlands like Equestria, Zebwana, Eagleton, the Minos Islands, and Kyukyo,” he said as he took out a pipe. Placing it in his mouth, he put some tobacco in before lighting it up to smoke. After a few puffs, he continued, “Five years ago, I lost something precious. Something that is the greatest treasure in the world to me. I’ve been hunting it for years from one part of the islands to the next. I’ve wasted all my fortune for it to the point where I spent the last of it on this mechanical ship yer sitting on.” He walked forward, past the group and stared at the ocean before him. “I now know where my treasure is. It’s on the Island of Nima.”

“Nima?” Windward asked, tilting his head. “That island’s not mysterious or big or anything. Hay, there isn’t even anything valuable there. It’s a small island just barely in Erebus territorial waters. The only thing sailors use that place for is to piss.”

“What kind of treasure would be on a such a stupid small island? There isn’t anything there,” Aquilina pointed out.

“Well, most folks don’t know what’s become of that island in the last five years,” Captain Razorwing said, smoking out a ring. “A certain group has... taken control of the island in the last five years and made it a... business point for their operations. Since most ships skip the island area entirely, they rarely have to worry about folks coming in. Not that matters since its still Erebus waters and last I checked,” He put his mouth before turning to the others, “slavery was still allowed in these parts.”

The ship suddenly went quiet save for the waves that crashed against the boat.

“... slavers?” Spike growled, clutching his claws. There were some things he could forgive Erebus for having due to its lawless state, but slavery was the top one he couldn’t overlook. He had personally seen it time and time again but was unable to do anything unless he was hired to do something about it. Those were jobs everyone in his team agreed to do without hesitation.

While every race at one point had slavery in their society for a time, it was soon reduced to only a few places due to the advancement of culture and ethics. Equestria even once had slaves in the forms of the cows, donkeys, sheep, and rams. Since they were the reincarnation of the sinful dead, there was a justification to treat them as such. It was only hundreds of years later that it was decided to end slavery, yet these creatures were still sometimes treated as second class citizens at times.

The only other nations that allowed slavery today were Centuria, parts of Zebwana, Unicornia, Saddle Arabia, the Dragon Lands, and Kyukyo; although the last one called them ‘indentured servants’ and had laws that claimed to protect them from abusive masters. But Erebus was where most slave trades were held, primarily in the south-west islands known as the “The Great Chain Reef.”

Dozens of islands holding slave empires that did business both in Erebus and outside of it. The Great Reef Masters were said to be wealthy lords who had hundreds of slaves from sexual pleasure to fanning their fat hides to even wiping them after taking a dump. Races of all kinds were captured, broken, and forced to serve their betters. Many were are born and died as slaves. Any attempt to break such an atrocity has always been tried but never succeeded due to their vast armada of ships and the guild known as Ars Arcanum. One of the top four powerful guilds, and one of the biggest slave dealers due to their powerful binding spells which fetch quite a price among the Masters.

“Why the ruck are we heading towards a bunch of rucking slavers!” Aquilina all but shouted as she reached for her knives. “If you’re seeking to buy one...” Razorwind’s answer came in the form of a necklace with a locket on it. Catching it, Aquilina opened it to reveal a young female griffin on a dock, smiling and waving with her yellow feathers blowing in the wind.

Showing it to the group, the answer soon became clear as Spike looked at the stern griffin with pity. “Your daughter?”

“Yes,” Razorwing sighed, shaking his head. “She had just started sailing on her own when her ship got boarded by slavers. Took her and her crew as trophies.” He walked over and grabbed the necklace before putting it back in his coat. “I’ve spent all these years and endless amounts of silver trailing her. Now I hear she’s going to be arriving at Nima before being sold off. Rumor has it that a big Unicornia slave dealer is going to be heading there to seek some slaves.”

“Wait, that can’t be right,” Azura said, stepping forward with a confused glare. “I’m from Unicornia. We... they don’t accept slaves except for the Flutter Ponies. Unless things have changed that much since I left.”

Razorwing shrugged. “I don’t know. All I know is that some new slave laws are being opened allowing other types of slaves to be taken. Ponies, griffins, dragons, doesn’t matter. Looks like anyone can be a slave now in Unicornia.”

“Even ponies? How curious...” Azura muttered as she rubbed her chin. “It’s always been tradition to just let the Flutter Ponies be the servants because Unicornia conquered them. In their minds, those who have been taken over deserve to be enslaved because they are weak. It’s why we never got other races as slaves before because we never conquered them except for that one time in Zebwana. What group could have convinced not only the Royal Family but the entire Nobleterium to go against tradition?”

“Does it rucking matter? Slavery is slavery,” growled Aquilina, pounding her fisted claw into the open one. “Tell me we’re gonna kill all the bastards on this island?”

Captain Razorwing shook his head. “No, despite it being a small island, they still outnumber us. Our goal is to just get my daughter and get out.”

He then turned to Azura. “You said you were from Unicornia? Do you think you can play the role of a noble seeking a personal slave? I was going to do it, but you would be much more convincing.”

“Of course,” Azura said, nodding. “I may have left my home thirteen years ago, but you don’t forget a thousand proper lessons on being noble no matter how much booze you drink.”

“Then I guess the rest of us are going to have to act as your hired muscle,” Spike replied, before looking at the captain. “I’m not going to lie. I want to save the rest of these slaves if I can. I promise that we’ll save your daughter, but if there is a chance to save everyone we’ll take it.” The others all nodded in agreement.

“You realize if you do that, and we survive, I could spread the word on how you disobeyed a client's orders,” Razorwing replied, narrowing his eyes. “Could be bad business for ya.”

“I’d rather have a reputation of breaking the rules to save lives than a reputation of obeying the rules and going against my heart,” Spike answered back.

The captain was quiet for a bit before sighing. “Fine, whatever. But my daughter is the only thing that matters to me. I’ll leave ya all on that island if I have too if it means taking her into my arms again.” He turned around made his way to the Captain’s Cabin. “We won’t get there until two days from now. We’ll use that time to come up with a plan.” He opened the door and turned around. “So if yer gonna come up with a miracle you better come up with one quick.” He then shut the door behind him, leaving the five on their own.

“You always have to go the extra mile on our missions, huh?” Aquilina asked, shaking her head. “Not that I mind this time. Anything to put one up the butts of slavers is fine by my book.”

“We shouldn’t be risking ourselves for something like this,” Azura sighed, shaking her head. “It would better to just return after getting his daughter and bringing this attention to others would be more than happy to wipe the scum off the face of the earth.”

“By the time we do that, who knows how many more will be sold.” Spike shook his head. “I’m not saying it's the smart thing, but I can’t just go there and leave knowing that all those slaves are going to be taken away to a rotten life. If we can save them, we do it.”

“So, we’re going to be risking our necks to go above and beyond our normal mission to do some crusade of justice to help make the world a less sucky place to live? As always?” Windward sighed but smirked. “Why do I always get dragged into this with you guys?”

“Because you never give up trying to get between my legs?” Azura asked, walking away.

“Oh yeah, that’s why,” Windward grinned as he followed after her much to the others amusement.

Spike turned to Yasahiro and asked, “You have any problems with going the extra mile?” His response was to just turn away and sit back in his same spot as always. “I’ll take that as an ‘I’m with you,’ okay?”

***

With nothing else to do until they got closer to the island’s territory, the group decided to just rest indoors for the rest of the day. When night came, Spike decided to take a moment to watch the stars up on the deck with Peewee on his shoulder. The young phoenix sang to him as he watched the heavens above. His song of mystery mixing with the waves allowed a sense of serenity to flow through Spike’s very soul. His mind turned back to the times when he and his Ponyville friends would watch the night sky together for evening events. Sometimes it was for a night party that Pinkie would set up. Other times it was just to see rare constellations or star showers that Twilight kept records of. She had always been a big fan of the stars, and the night sky despite being a student of the raiser of the sun.

In fact, she often told Spike that she enjoyed the night more than the day because of the mysteries it held. It was one of the critical traits of her that allowed Twilight to become fast friends with Princess Luna. That, and helping everyone see she wasn’t some evil demon coming for their souls.

When Peewee stopped singing, Spike became alerted that they weren’t alone and turned around to see Azura, still in her dress, walking towards them with a passive smile. “You know, I am a bit envious of you. Having a familiar such as Peewee.” She began to scratch under his chin much to his pleasure as he cooed warmly under her touch. “He’s beautiful for one so young. How did you get him?”

“I rescued his egg from some bully dragons when I was a kid,” Spike answered, smirking at the memory of how he embarrassed those three jerks. It made him glad that he was raised by ponies even more afterward. “I let him stay with me for a bit before I returned him to his parents. Then... he just found me again, and he’s been with me ever since.”

Nodding, Azura walked over and leaned over the railing to watch the ocean. “In Unicornia, phoenix's are rare to find. Those that are found are used for medical purposes or kept in zoos. I don’t think they’ve ever been a familiar before.”

“You know, you don’t talk much about your home nation,” Spike replied. “I take it you don’t have fond memories?”

“Honestly, it wasn’t as bad... at first...” Sighing, she closed her eyes and rubbed her temple. “Don’t get me wrong. It had a lot of problems even before I realized how horrible it was after I left. Most of Unicornia will tell you they are a race where every unicorn can be treated equally, but the truth is that the nobility holds all the power. You’re lucky to even get by without them doing something to screw you. Plus, the nobles are always in power plays or schemes to get higher positions of power or close relations with the Royal Family. Combined with the corrupted church, slavery, and racism? The only positive thing about it is the advanced technology, healthcare, the food, and fashion.”

“Sounds like a crystal that’s beautiful in the outside but rotten on the inside,” Spike theorized.

“It’s a perfect way to describe it. I honestly used to love living there. I missed the power I held, the ability to crush those who stood in my way for ambition. I didn’t mind the games we played to see who could get stronger and raise higher than others. Proving myself against my peers in magic, wit, and politics was always something that excited me. However, I don’t miss it that much over the years since I arrived here. Life among Erebus is... unique, but rewarding. It’s still the same brutal way of living, just without rules and everyone's upfront about it. Kinda of a nice change of pace.”

“I personally hate it,” Spike grumbled as he clutched his fists. “I hate seeing how people suffer from the wars, bandits, and lawlessness. Maybe it's naive of me to think this, even after all these years of living here, but I think that people here can come together with friends to make it a better place. Maybe if people stopped fighting and united this can be more than just a land of criminals, but a real nation where every race and creed live equally and free. All without the cost of lives.”

“That’s the kind of talk that gets most killed in the real world,” Azura snorted. “This world is cruel, cold, and unforgiving. Be it in Erebus, Unicornia, Equestria or more. Friendship isn’t going to save it from the self-destruction we’ve been doing since time began. Even our gods have created their own mistakes, and they were the ones who created us. What makes you think you can change the world?”

“... I once knew a pony who didn’t think friendship mattered either,” Spike said, closing his eyes. “All she wanted to do was study and grow stronger so she could earn the respect of those higher than here. But one day, that pony met some amazing friends, and they started to change the world around them. She started changing others. Even though she died doing it, she helped open the eyes of those around here to start something.” Spike turned around to Azura with a smirk. “Maybe one person can’t change the world, but friends united with an idea can. An idea for a better world for everyone. I’m not saying I’ll succeed.” He lowered his eyes as his tone became a bit more monotone. “I’ve even made mistakes and came close to giving up at times.” Yet, his voice picked up again and he smiled, his eyes filled with fire that made Azura’s eyebrows perk up as Peewee, sensing his energy, cawed with excitement. “Yet giving up is just as bad as losing. Maybe I can’t change the world on my own, but I can change things enough so that one day it will come true by the effort of others.”

Azura didn’t say anything for a long time. She just stared at Spike silently before she gave a small smirk. “You know what? I think it's stupid that you think you can do such a thing.” She then turned around and shook her head. “But... I actually hope that I am wrong.”

She began to walk away when Spike asked, “Azura? I never asked this before, but why did you join us to begin with? You’ve been a Red Lightning longer than all of us but Yasahiro, so why do you continue to follow me? Aquilina is my friend and I saved her life so it makes sense we work together. Windward was assigned to us to teach the ropes, and he’s been with us ever since he joined. Don’t know why our samurai friend hangs around. But you’ve worked on your own before. Ever since that one mission in Prau, you’ve just stood by our side. Why would you, do it? Especially if you don’t like my idealism?”

Azura slowly turned around and smirked. “You reminded me of somepony. Somepony who was very dear to me. He was just like you. Young. Idealistic. Always doing the right thing even if it went against what others demanded.” She closed her eyes and began to walk forward. “Maybe just being with you reminds me of him? Maybe I’m just honoring his vision by being with you? Regardless, I just hope you have a better fate than he did.”

With that said, she returned to the barracks, leaving Spike all by himself with the sound of the waves.

Author's Note

To all parents, children are their treasures

As always please feel free to help out at the TV Tropes Page https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/FanFic/TheAssassinationOfTwilightSparkle

And be sure to read Path Of The Tyrant for its chapters.