Fall of Equestria: Crucibles of the Carrier
The King's Next Obsession
Apple Slice stands upon her deck, watching the ocean as the ship glides through the water. ‘The wide open blue skies, the ocean as far as the eye can see. The rigging and sails fluttering in the wind. The salty scent of the ocean on the wind. Calm lapping of the ocean and the gulls cawing. So peaceful... so calm... so... so…’
"LAND HO!"
Thank fucking Celestia. A beautiful chocolate unicorn mare stands on the bow of her ship she dubbed "The Carrier", which is quite appropriate as the main form of attack on other ships is an entire fleet of pegasi armed to the teeth with grenades. She's a fairly large frigate. Large guns on either side of the ship which blow flames towards enemy ships. The mare in question has large brown eyes. Her mane flowing to just below her shoulder blades and curling slightly at the ends, including her bangs. She wears boots that reach to just below her knees. Brown in color with gold trim. Her pants a plain black with a brown leather strap and 3 pouches holding various tools to aid her in combat. The mare's blouse is also black with a pendant of a shield. A crest of sort, red and white with the image of a wolf skull in the middle. She wears a long coat that stretches to her knees, dark blue in color with gold trim like her boots.
The three hundred foot ship creaking now and then as it glides through the water, the ships sails reflecting in the water magnificently. The sides of the ship showing heavy modification. Two large pipes on either side dipping into the water to funnel water into 24 cannons, 12 on each side. The water boils inside the cannons thanks to one several of the crew members who know fire magic. Once the cannons reach a specific amount of pressure, it’s let loose to fire cannonballs at enemy ships.
Apple Slice steps away from the railing of her ship, eager to see the land that her crew called out, more about putting her mind at ease than anything, having been at sea for so wearily long. She joins the crew member at the helm, visibly happy to see they are almost at port. “E.T.A., Jokie?”
A rather small leaf green pegasus stallion wearing a white mask with black dots where the eyes should be stands at the ship’s wheel. “Twenty minutes Captain.”
Apple Slice’s smile grows a little bigger. “Excellent.” The good captain watches the land as it draws closer for a moment. “Remind me why you wear that mask again?”, she asks.
Jokie takes a moment before he responds. “To make you ask questions, Captain.”
Apple Slice slowly turns her head and looks at him through squinted eyes. “Freak.”
The insult only makes the small pegasus laugh.
Apple Slice steps onto the docks of the port town a short while later, smiling as she takes a deep breath and looks around. “Ahhhhh.” She turns to a large white stallion next to her. “What shithole is this again?”, she asks ever so casually.
“Lindisbarne, Captain. I told you like… 20 times.”
Apple Slice sighs as she steps towards one of the buildings. “I’d care to remember if it were… memorable.”
An earth pony standing next to the building walks up to Apple Slice. He’s light blue in color, amber eyes. Wearing some decent clothing that says he’s more of an average citizen, not poor or rich. “Hey there! Beautiful ship. Welcome to Lindisbarne. Want to know where anything is?”
Apple Slice turns to the new pony. “Wordy little thing, aren’t you?” She chuckles. “I’m looking for a shipwright and your local market.”
The pony frowns. “Oh no! Your ship is damaged?”
Apple Slice’s smile fades. “Don’t be daft. Nothing can touch her. I just need supplies.”
The pony frowns. “Oh… sorry… um… the shipwright is over there.” He points to a big roofed building with a large crane. “The market is over there.” He points to a different direction.
Apple Slice smiles again and nods. “Thank you.” She begins moving on her way, heading towards the shipwright. “Jokie, you’re with me. Nexus.” A dark grey unicorn stallion pokes his head up over the railing. “Get the usual supplies.”
The dark grey pony rolls his eyes. “I’m getting Neoki to do it.” To which Apple Slice responds “I don’t care” before moving on towards the shipwright.
“What’re we going to the shipwright for? The ship doesn’t need repairs”, Jokie questions his captain.
Apple Slice smirks as she nears the Shipwright’s building. “Nexus, Alexander and I have been talking about some… new designs. I’ve been thinking… what better way to scare everypony around for miles than a second ship?”
Jokie doesn’t respond for a moment. “How would we use illusion magic on the second ship? Without you on the second ship… we’d be found easily.”
Apple Slice nods. “True, but I’m a step ahead of you on that. Alexander found a way to extract my magic and contain it. If he can perfect it, he can create canisters that release my previously cast and contained spells.”
Jokie sighs. “That could take ages, knowing Alexander.”
Apple Slice pushes open the Shipwright’s door and steps inside. “Alexander will get it done. He saved Nexus, didn’t he?”
Jokie sighs again. “I guess.”
“How can I help you?”, asks the walking cliché of a merchant. The room inside is fairly small, with log walls and a wooden floor, seems pretty aged. The merchant’s counter is directly across the room, and there’s a doorless entrance to the right leading to a large hangar-esque room housing a ship being worked on. Apple Slice slaps down a piece of paper with a giant list of parts and materials, making the merchant’s eyes widen. “I want everything.” Apple Slice smirks.
After 27 minutes… precisely 27 minutes… Apple Slice leaves the Shipwright and begin heading back towards the docks.
“Maybe we should stop somewhere for a bit of fun?”, asks Jokie.
“I doubt the supplies will be all loaded up by now”, Apple Slice frowns and looks around.
“Here? I doubt this place even has a bowling alley.” Jokie nudges his captain as he snickers and points towards a group of 3 foals setting up some bottles and throwing a ball at them.
Apple Slice slowly looks at Jokie and squints. “Oh sure, Jokie. Let’s just go over there and play with children. That won’t be creepy at all.” She then rolls her eyes and begins heading back towards the docks. “This place is worse than the mind numbing boredom of the ocean. At least out there we have the potential to find other ships and do something.”
“Oh, come on, Captain!” Jokie whines. “We literally just got here, you can’t seriously be suggesting going back out onto the open waters now!”
Apple Slice sighs and looks at Jokie. “And what would you suggest we do? Stand around with our dicks in our hands?”
With the captain While obviously being female, the strange choice of words doesn’t escape the first mate. “Actually… I did see a bar back there…” Apple Slice stops and cocks an eyebrow as she looks back where Jokie is referencing. She then smiles.
“Go back to the ship… we’re partying tonight.” Jokie visibly shakes with excitement.
“Yes Captain!” He rushes off towards the ship at the docks, eager to tell the crew they’re taking the day off.
As Apple Slice approaches the bar in question, the bartender looks up in time to notices the pirate approach. “Oh sweet merciful Luna…” The bartender begins rapidly moving objects in the bar to safer locations, hoping that his preventative measures will keep his stools and tables safe from whatever damage this pirate is about to do.
“Barkeep!” The beautiful pirate calls out as she enters the establishment. “I desire alchohol!”
The bartender smiles nervously. “Y-yes madam! I-I have only the finest in stock!
The mare steps further into the establishment, taking in the layout of the building. For such a small town, the bar is actually a solid and fine looking establishment. A sort of dark wood color, the bar is on the right of the entrance with the tables off to the back. They even have a dart board in the back with what looks like red stains on the wall next to it. Apple Slice moves to the bartender and cups her chin with her hand while looking at the selections on the shelves. “Hmmmmm… so many decent choices…”
All the while, the poor bartender is having a miniature heart attack at the idea of a pirate in his bar. “Y-yes! Take all the time you need!” He keeps his nervous smile upon his face, hoping against hope that his attitude will get his bar to survive this encounter unscathed.
“You know…” Apple Slice looks to the bartender. “I think… I’ll take maybe… one or two…. All of it.”
The bartender is nursing his anxiety attack a little too much. “I… I’m sorry, what?” Making a pirate repeat themselves usually doesn’t end well.
“All of it. I’ll take everything you have.” She then takes a conveniently prepared bag of bits and tosses it on the counter. “There’s enough there to buy this entire building. It should suit you quite nicely.”
The bartender opens the bag, his eyes widening at the amount of bits inside the bag. “Y… yes ma’am!” he laughs nervously, mostly in relief. “W-would you like your purchases delivered…?”
The mare nods. “Yes. You’ll find a ship in the harbor dubbed “The Carrier”. Have it delivered there. The bartender nods quickly, making sure to not change his good fortune. Apple Slice gives a soft wave as she exits the bar and begins heading back to the docks to meet with her crew.
Back at the docks, Apple Slice’s crew are busy preparing to set sail tomorrow morning, working quickly as they look forward to getting boozed up without having to worry about tomorrow. Neoki lifts one of the various crates on deck, they had just gotten a load of produce from the local market. “Jokie, help me with this you lazy fuck.”
As Jokie moves to support the crate, the crate comes down and bumps the handle of Neoki’s sword, causing it to tilt and slide out of its sheath. “Shit!” Neoki cries out in surprise as he twists around to try and grab his sword, but accidentally kicks it off the side of the ship underneath one of the railings. Neoki stares in disbelief as he hears a resounding ‘plop’ of the sword impacting with the water.
Jokie moves to the railing to look for it. After all, they’re in port. The water might be shallow enough to retrieve it. However, what he spots is a little more concerning than a lost sword. “Hmmm… hey guys, check this out. Some freaks are coming.” A few other crew members, including Neoki and Nexus move up to the railing to look too.
“Huh… what are they?” Nexus asks curiously. “Look like stallions but with two… twisted horns on their heads.”
Neoki covers his mouth. “I… think I’m gonna be sick…” Being the unicorn of the group, seeing such twisted and mangled looking horns is a horror show to the poor stallion.
A group of 5 individuals approaches the docks, each with antlers atop their heads and clad in armor. One of the five seems to be a tall toned caribou wearing iron armor and a long sword at his hip. The second seems to be very similar to the first, only taller with larger muscles. The third is an averagely built caribou wearing a fancy green tailored tunic while the fourth seems to be of average build but bigger than the green tunic wearing caribou. The fourth is wearing cloth armor and wielding an armed sword. Perhaps the most unique out of the bunch is the 5th caribou. Wearing partial plate armor with a golden hilted sword at his hip and a bronze circlet on his head.
“Good evening.” The green tunic wearing caribou speaks up. “My name is Raskh, Master of State for King Dainn. We have been travelling for a great number of days, we are malnourished and require sustenance.”
The three stallions on the deck, who have been watching the caribou look amongst themselves for a moment, before Jokie responds. “I believe there’s a market over in that direction.” He points towards the center of town.”There’s a bar too.” The other two ponies smile, knowing their captain will be back soon, with booze!
Raskh takes a moment to look over the ship. It’s heavily armed with a great number of personnel on board. It would do Dainn a great service to ally with them. “If I may inquire, may I speak to your captain?”
“Huh… our captain? She’ll be back soon.” Jokie calls down to them. “Stick around if you like, or don’t. I don’t really care.” Jokie then begins walking from the railing, presumably to complete his tasks.
Vestri looks to Ivangir. “Did he say she?” He chuckles. “Imagine a female captain, how ridiculous.”
Raskh sighs and looks at him. “Calm yourself, I’m certain it was a slip of the tongue by the lad.” He looks back to the ship. “Imagine the possibilities of having this crew as allies.”
Dainn sighs. “Let’s just make this quick. There are a rather large number of things I’d rather be doing.”
“Yes my Lord, I’m certain their captain will be along shortly.” Raskh takes a look towards town, hoping he’s right. The only thing he sees is a female heading to the docks… oddly dressed in rather expensive looking clothing.
The female being Apple Slice. She cocks an eyebrow at the group of caribou as she nears the ship. “Anypony care to explain the visitors?
“Captain!” Neoki calls down. “They say they are travellers, the one in the green wanted to talk to you.”
Raskh steps forward. “This? This… woman? This is your captain? Preposterous.”
Apple Slice chuckles a little. “Oh, I’m sorry. Am I not cute enough? I’ll work on that.” She moves towards the gangplank of her ship. “Mistake me not, gentlemen.” She turns to the caribou. “I am the captain of this illustrious vessel. Captain Apple Slice.”
Raskh grits his teeth. “Now listen here-” Raskh is cut off as Dainn steps forward and puts his hand in front of Raskh.
“You say you’re the captain of this ship?” Dainn inquires. Looking the mare up and down. “How very intriguing. How many knots?”
“15” Apple Slice responds quickly.
“Tonnage?” Dainn asks his next question just as quickly as Apple Slice responded.
“1,500” Apple Slice keeps up the rapid pace of answering Dainn’s questions
“Guns?” Dainn gets a little closer to the mare, a sort of excitement crossing his face.
“44” Apple Slice smirks, sort of sensing the situation.
A solid 10 seconds pass by in pure silence, the pair draw their weapons and clash within the blink of an eye. Their swords slamming into one another with a resounding ‘twang’. “Excellent.” Dainn smiles. “I’ve never met a female capable of actually blocking, let alone know to hold the handle rather than the blade.”
Apple Slice smiles, looking up at the large stag. “I’ve never known a stud like you to be so quick on his feet.”
Upon processing what just happened, the pirates and Dainn’s companions all draw their weapons in anger. Dainn growls. “Stand down!”
“But Lord…!” the only thing Vestri can spout out in confused response, however, Dainn insists.
“I said stand down!” Dainn’s companions do as they’re ordered, Vestri and Ivangir ready to pounce on a moment’s notice.
“Stay back!” Apple Slice tells her crew. “This one’s all mine…” Her voice even sounds a little sultry. Her crew doesn’t even question her, they just resheath their weapons. Apple Slice and Dainn look back to one another. The two pull their weapons back and attack one another in rapid succession, deflecting each other’s blows, then coming back to a clash.
“I commend you for trying, but females don’t belong in a position of power. Wouldn’t you feel more at home pleasing a male?” Dainn asks Apple Slice as their blades strain against each other.
“Why do just one? I can do both. I can defeat the strongest of males and please the most handsome.” She tells Dainn, looking him in the eyes.
“Show me.” Dainn smirks, he then pushes against her sword, putting his weight against the push, causing her to stumble back. Dainn rushes forward and hooks an arm around her waist and presses her up against the side of the ship. “Doesn’t this feel more appropriate for a female like you? Being held by a strong male, ready to please him in any way he desires?” Dainn cups Apple Slice’s crotch, making her gasp softly. “This leadership role isn’t you… the real you wants to get down on her knees and service any male that wants her to.”
Apple Slice smiles up at him. “Maybe you’re right…” Dainn smiles as he slips his hand into her pants.
“You’re a female lost in a male world… trying so hard…” He slips a finger into Apple Slice’s pussy, making her gasp softly again. “Trying so hard to be something you’re not…”
“Maybe you’re right…” Apple Slice sighs softly, letting him touch her a little more. “But I don’t deal in maybes.” She smirks as she looks Dainn in the eyes. Hearing a screeching noise, Dainn looks to his left, seeing a manticore appear from thin air, roaring and attacking. Dainn leaps away from Apple Slice to avoid the attack from the manticore - which suddenly disappears into thin air. His eyes widen as he recovers, looking up to see Apple Slice still smirking and standing tall before him.
“W...what sorcery is this…?!” Dainn asks as he looks around for the manticore, but finding no trace of it. He then looks to Apple Slice, recovering from his initial shock. “Are all the females in this land full of surprises like you?”
Apple Slice steps forward, bringing her sword up in front of her. “I’m one in a million.” Her smirk not fading from her lips.
Dainn analyzes her for a moment. “Perhaps I should take you as a prize then…” He chuckles. “Breaking that spirit will be quite the fun challenge.” The two move forward again and slam their blades together, Dainn smirking at Apple Slice as they do. Apple Slice gives Dainn a wink before suddenly kneeling, causing Dainn to stumble forward. Apple Slice rolls onto her back and puts her feet up, kicking Dainn in the abdomen and using his momentum to toss him to the ground above her head.
Dainn rolls to his feet and faces Apple Slice, who is back on her feet already. “Playing a little dirty I see…” Dainn scowls.
“Oh but you see, that's the thing about me. I'm not afraid to get a little dirty.” Apple Slice winks at Dainn before bringing her sword back up.
Dainn is quiet, a little taken back by this odd female. “I like that in my females.” Dainn also raises his sword, ready to continue their little brawl.
“Wait until you get a load of me.” Apple Slice rushes forward, slamming her sword against Dainn’s again. The caribou king uses his overwhelming strength to push her back, however, the mare moves in rapidly, taking Dainn by surprise with her speed and decks him in the jaw. Dainn tries to backhand the mare, but she moves back quickly, avoiding the attack.
Dainn rubs his jaw softly. “I see you’re a little more than meets the eye… but don’t worry my little female… that can be fucked out of you.” He smirks as he steps forward, gripping his sword.
“Me, oh my.” Apple Slice waves at her face with her free hand. “At least take me to dinner first.” She smirks and moves towards Dainn. Like before, using her impressive speed in an attempt to get a second jab in on Dainn’s jaw, however, the caribou king cannot be fooled a second time so easily. He catches her fist.
“Just like a female, to think her wily tricks will always work.” He pulls Apple Slice close to him. Either one of them could easily use their swords to hurt one another, but it seems neither wants to truly hurt the other. “You’re going to have to pay for that jab.” He presses his hand to her pussy again. “I think opening your legs will suffice.”
“But my Lord!” Raskh speaks up. “The whore deserves to be punished! She has struck you!”
Dainn sighs a weary sigh - the sigh of a male that has tolerated a lot of annoyances. Without taking his eyes off Apple Slice, he responds to Raskh. “Do you think me so weak that I cannot tend to my own devices?”
“W-well… no, but-” Raskh isn't given enough time to finish that thought.
“Then be silent, Raskh.” Dainn doesn't want to let on that he's enjoying himself. For so long… he's had nothing but broken cow after broken cow, all of them praising the fecal matter that drops from his backside. This female though? She has fire! Fierce, witty and far better of a fighter than most warriors he's seen! That is what's been missing… the sheer joy of breaking a free spirit down into a whore begging for more. Dainn’s anticipation rises as he imagines himself turning her into just another whore. Dainn smiles down at Apple Slice. “So. How about it? Pay me back for that jab.”
Apple Slice uses here telekinesis to push Dainn back. “Sorry handsome, every stud gets only one.”
Dainn cocks an eyebrow. “I'll just take theirs then.” He says as he points to his companions, not actually believing that would work.
Apple Slice chuckles as she looks over Dainn's companions. She then points to Raskh. “You call THAT a stud?” Her crew begins to laugh.
Raskh growls. “Why you little insolent whore!”
Dainn just smirks. “I’ll be sure to let Raskh be the first to take you anally.”
Apple Slice just gives Dainn a gesture meaning ‘Bring it’. The two once again move towards each other, slashing at each other rapidly and continuously. Their swords making contact repeatedly, one or the other dodging attacks as they go along.
Dainn takes a step backward, then lunges forward, thrusting his sword at Apple Slice. Apple Slice lifts her left arm and actually clamps the sword down under her armpit. Dainn’s face twists into an expression of irritation as the mare smirks and bring up her free hand. The mare throws her fist into Dainn’s chest while using her telekinesis to improve the force of her connection to throw Dainn back, surprising the caribou king. The force causes the stag to slide back 7 feet, before he even realizes what’s happening, Apple Slice is already in his face, closing the gap in a matter of a second. Her opponent barely gets his sword up in time to block Apple Slice’s horizontal sword swing.
Dainn grits his teeth as he begins to push back against Apple Slice’s sword. “I pity you, little female. This land you come from has filled your head with nonsense, taken you off the path of your true self. We can help you.”
“You’re so full of yourself. All this talk about helping me find my real self… how about I help you find some humility!” She pulls her sword back and takes a diagonal slash at the king’s chest.
Dainn deflects Apple Slice’s attack and kicks Apple Slice in the abdomen, causing her to stumble back for a moment. Dainn doesn’t get even a second of reprieve before Apple Slice is back on him and slams her fist into his jaw. His eyes widen in surprise from the shock of the impact, but he doesn’t have time to reflect on it, as Apple Slice delivers another one two punch combo to his side, and then to his cheek again. The caribou king blinks in confusion, the hits not really hurting him.
“You little cunt!”, Dainn yells as he brings his sword up as Apple Slice comes in for another hit, catching her upside the head with the sword as he makes an upward swing. Apple Slice reels back, her eyes widening from the sudden vicious attack. Was he trying to kill her after all?
Dainn advances and swing very quickly, and the mare only barely manages to block it, but the force of the impact sends Apple Slice reeling again. Dainn continues his assault, pull the sword back and slamming it into Apple Slice’s sword again, making the mare stumble from the force, and with a third swing, Dainn knocks the sword right out of her hand. The sword twirls in the air and hits the dirt.
The caribou king sees his opening and hurls his shoulder into Apple Slice’s abdomen and chest, knocking the mare off her feet with a gasp. Wasting no time, he grabs her by the throat and begins to drag her across the ground. Running with her, he then lifts her up and tosses her 7 feet onto the dock, causing her to bounce and roll to a stop on it.
“What’s wrong, whore? Where did all that fighting spirit go?” He smirks as he approaches to stand over her. The strike to Apple Slice’s head bleeding a little. “Did you finally learn to submit?” His grin fades when he hears Apple Slice begin to chuckle. “What’s so funny, whore?!”
Suddenly, Apple Slice breaks out into actual laughter. Her chest rising and falling rapidly as she laughs.
Dainn grits his teeth as he moves closer, towering over the mare. “Laugh now.” He raises his sword and points it down, the sword backwards in his hands as he means to drive the sword downward. “You could’ve been great as a red collar, but as of now, you’re not worth the trouble.” As Dainn is about to bring the sword down, Apple Slice’s leg comes up between Dainn’s legs. His eyes widen upon impact, his cheeks expanding as he sharply exhales from the shock rocking his body.
The king takes a few steps back as Apple Slice does a backwards somersault to her feet in the blink of an eye. The mare then takes a long stride forward pulling her fist back as she does, her eyes glowing bright white as she overcharges her telekinesis to increase the force of her next strike. Apple Slice’s fist collides with Dainn’s cheek, the forceful impact enough to cause even the dust from Dainn’s fur to erupt from him in a puff of dust. A small shockwave of air pressure emitting from the point of impact.
The king of caribou falls to one knee, his expression dazed and confused. Dainn looks around, as if trying to remember what he is doing or where he is. His companions have no time to see what else before Apple Slice makes her next move.The angry mare grabs the king by his antlers, then pushes him back slightly, before pulling him towards her again - and straight into her knee.
With a cry of agony, the caribou king falls backwards, clutching his bleeding nose. Apple Slice steps forward, standing over the caribou, frowning ever so slightly, her eyes glowing still. The mare points at the king, then slowly raises her finger, and as she does, the king begins to float in front of her due to her telekinesis. “It’s time to show you just how insignificant you really are.” Apple Slice thrusts her hand towards the dock, sending the king crashing not only into the dock, but through it.
Vestri and Ivangir draw their swords in unison. “You little-”
Apple Slice smirks, her eyes finally returning to normal. “I wouldn’t get so hasty if I were you. Dear ol’ king must be having a hard time.” Realization dawns on the two caribou. “A possibly unconscious caribou trying to swim in heavy armor. It’s either me or him boys. Choose wisely now.” She winks and begins heading back to her ship. “Give him my best regards, won’t you?”
Vestri and Ivangir spit out curses at the mare angrily as she laughs and boards her ship. The two caribou turn back to the hole in the dock just in time to see Eadgil already devoid of his armor and diving into the water after his king. Vestri begins stripping of his armor as well, unsure if Eadgil has the strength to pull Dainn from the water alone.
Ivangir nods. “I’ll stay on the dock so I can help you pull him up! Hurry you two!” Mere moments later, the three caribou haul their unconscious king from the water and watch the ship sail away, with Apple Slice shouting obscenities back at them. Vestri stares as the ship pulls away from the docks. “I hate that female.”
On the ship, Apple Slice steps into her quarters, still laughing a little as she sits down in her chair. “I’ll have to make mental note of them… find where they come from and raid a ship or two.” She smirks as she pulls out a coin. A golden little trinket with Dainn’s image etched into it. “Hope he doesn’t miss this.” She examines the coin, closely wondering if it’s currency, or something more.
“Captain”, Jokie says at the door, appearing from seemingly nowhere. “Where to next?”
Apple Slice smiles. “Tokyoat. I have some business to conduct.” She pockets the coin, wondering if its material value is worth more than the sentimental value. Whether she should just sell it, or taunt the caribou king with it. On second thought, she comes to the conclusion that she should’ve stolen his crown. “Next time…” She says to nopony in particular. “Next time.”
Author's Note
Alright! I know Dainn is the big bad guy of Fall of Equestria and he just got curb stomped, but think of it like the reverse villain beats bad guy in the beginning scenario.
