Dota 2

Chapters

Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2

Prologue

The gates shut close, the screeching grate of metal on metal echoing out across the snow coated mountainsides.

“Formation.” The peach earth mare steps past the three cloaked rangers, her bare crimson mane already blessed with a fine layer of powder. Peering over her shoulder, she frowns. They bump into each other, mumbling curses before at last settling into position. Below them, the snow had been kicked up, hoofprints burrowed several feet deep. Hours before those tracks would fade.

Rookies. But they need the training and experience. Her pride be damned, she was one of them once upon a time.

She returns her attention to the vanguard. A good twenty yards of vision through the snow fall. Better than most days. “Follow,” she whispers, advancing in light steps. The formation shuffles after her.

Two hours of traversing snow fields, weaving through dense forests. They stand in a small clearing, surrounded by a thick batch of evergreens. Large enough to hold them, small enough to ward off any attention. She raises her hoof. “Rest here. Ah’ll patrol.”

Sighs of relief arise as they begin securing the area. Axes sheathed, snow cleared, cots out on the dirt, bows unhitched and wrapped in cloth. She grimaces. At least they know how to care for their equipment.

The rookies are well stationed now, one resting on her back while the other two stallions murmured to one another. With any luck they’d get a good half hour’s worth of sleep. Satisfied, she begins monitoring the surrounding woods, searching every inch for any sign of recent activity. In truth it should be one of the rookies on patrol. Rangers leading the vanguard were cautioned to get plenty of rest. Out here though? Her rules. She didn’t trust any of them to do this job. A harsh truth, but one that might keep them all alive.

But there’s nothing. No displaced snow, scarred foilage. A gentle yet nipping breeze accompanies the drifting sheet of snowflakes. Closing her eyes, the patterned swaying of branches in the wind soothes her hearing. Everything was as it should be. Normal. Normal was wrong here. She had been trained to worry, be cautious, fear every step.

Yet so peaceful.

The mare has fallen asleep, the two stallions continuing their conversation while lying upon their blankets. They fall silent as she approaches. They’re afraid of her. Good. With the serenity that surrounded them, something had to keep them on their hooves.

“First patrol?” she asks.

They share a brief glance. “Y-yeah.” The smaller stallion speaks up first. “Passed the test just a few days ago. Got a ninety-eight on the marksmare section.” The stallion stutters along until he reaches his last words, boasting them out with a hint of pride.

“Impressive.” She nods. “Hope that skill carries over ta moving targets.”

The stallion recoils. “O-of course.”

“And you.” His partner perks up. “Got any earth shatterin’ scores ta tell?”

He shakes his head, pulling off a half-bow from his position. “No lady. Average. Just enough to pass and avoid sanitation duties.”

She can’t help but smirk. “Are ya satisfied now, that ya passed? No regrets?”

Now it’s his turn to smile. “Lady, I would travel another day’s worth of scouting before enduring such torment again.”

“Good. It’s doing its job then.”

He begins chuckling as she turns, returning to patrol. Could definitely be worse. It has been worse. Colt a few weeks back. Drifted off from the main pack. When they had finally tracked him down, half-buried in snow, eyelids frozen shut, body—

A tingling kisses her hooves. “Shh!” She silences the still laughing rookie with a hiss. Closing her eyes and relaxing her form, she listens, praying for that same natural normality.

Again, the ground moves, as if the earth itself shivered. She opens her eyes. “Do ya’ll feel that?”

Both rookies look to her with confusion. “Feel what, lady?”

Stronger now. Damnit. “Up. All of you. Up. You.” She shakes the mare, causing her to jump into waking. “Up. We’re moving. Returning to fort.”

“Already?” The smaller stallion asks. “But it’s only been a few hours!”

He yelps as she lifts him to his hooves. She grits her teeth. “Shut up and follow my orders. Get your cot, cover the dirt, and get in formation. Understand?”

A nod. She backs away, allowing the stallion to begin folding his cot. Stallion two has already gathered his belongings and covered his mark, shuffling his hooves with nervous twitches. The mare shovels at the powder with her hooves, filling in the exposed black dirt.

Another quake, this time powerful enough to cause all three rookies to freeze. “Formation! Now!”

They waste no time, fear eclipsing all questions or exhaustion. The moment they’re in place, she sets off with a half-gallop. Straight to the fort. No detours.

Only minutes later and a soft, brief rumble seeps through the woods, causing the top layer of powder to jump.

“W-what the hell was that?” the stallion whimpers.

Shouting erupts from the east gate. She abandons her post, sprinting through the practice fields, past the archery range, past the barracks, past the living quarters, bursting through the crowd of ponies that had gathered.

“Make way to the infirmary! Alert the doctor!” A bass voice roars, drowning out the frenzy of talk.

Infirmary? Doctor? But the only patrol that had been out... by the goddess. The mare groans, her body limp as she’s hoisted onto a stretcher crafted from leaves and branches.

“Sis, can ya hear me? What happened?” She’s frantic, begging for a response.

The mare’s eyes are only half-open, a thick line of foam drooling out from her mouth. Still, she manages to choke one word before she’s carried away: “Monster.”

“Keep up.” Her half-gallop picks up pace, already causing her rookies to begin stumbling. Were she a coward, outrunning them would be a simple task. She holds back, focusing a part of her hearing on the chaotic drumming of twelve hooves.

Eight hooves now. One had fallen. Mister ninety-eight. He slouches on one hoof, heavy, wheezing breaths racking his frame. “Get up.”

He looks to her as if she’s insane. “But we’ve been galloping for an hour straight!”

“Then we must be close to the fort. Up!”

The whole forest moves. Trees shake off their white coats, the ground dances, swirling like quicksand. All three rookies begin struggling forward, fear having returned.

She gets one last glimpse of the tear in her sister’s foreleg before the doctor wraps it in gauze. Green, caustic. The wound would never fully heal. At least she’s alive.

“Thanks,” she bows her head to the doctor as he finishes.

Peering down at the bandaged leg, he purses his lips with distraught eyes. “I used every poultice, every herb the situation called for, but the wound will most likely have to be covered for the rest of her life. Different bandages every week. Constant fits of pain. The only other option is ampu—”

“That’s enough doc.” Her sister waves him off, as if swatting at a fly. “Thank ya kindly for patchin’ me up. Now send somepony to fetch ma brother.”

“Of course.” He takes it as a cue, leaving them alone. Smart.

Silence prevails for several more moments as her sister holds the foreleg aloft, inspecting the bandage.

“Well?” She’s looking at her with a cocked eyebrow. Even laying upon the cot, covered with a wool blanket, her intimidation radiates.

“What happened out there?” she dares to ask.

She snorts. “Went out as a patrol of three, as ya should know, came back alone and almost dyin’. Whatcha think happened?”

Bitter. Very. Not like her sister at all. She seems to recognize this as well, her face softening as she lays back, resting against the pillow. “Sorry. I was just...” she sighs “just so damn close ta savin’ em. Two rooks, fresh out of trainin’. Almost took the bastards head off with ma axe soon as he popped out, but ah missed. Only got his chest.”

Now she’s curious. “Who?”

“Not a who. A what. Monster.” She snorts. Does that when she wants to keep tough. “All started out we were patrollin’ like always, when the ground started to shake. Three beats, and then...”

“And then?”

Her sister looks away, staring straight forward with cold, dead eyes. “All hell broke loose.”

This clearing. She knows this clearing. They’re only about a five minute gallop from the fort.

The earth gives a violent shudder, nearly throwing her to the ground. All three rookies lose their balance, collapsing into the snow.

“Up!” she shouts.

Ninety-eight coughs and hacks, falling back to his knees before he can fully right himself. Shit. They didn’t have time for this. She gallops to his side, grabbing his foreleg and dragging him forward. “Come on! Go go go!”

Thump.

Everypony stops, looking to one another.

Thump.

It was unlike anything she’s ever heard before, as if a colossus uses the world itself as a giant drum.

Thump.

She sucks in a breath, nodding to her comrades. “Get ready.”

All hell breaks loose.

Her vision shakes as large cracks begin sprouting from the ground. Ninety-eight’s foreleg is ripped from her gasp, separating them as half the chunks of land shoot up into the air, the other half sinking into the ground. Through the snapping of crust, she can hear the rookies screaming something unintelligible. She staggers forward, barely able to cling to a strip of land as the dirt behind her gives way. Instinct took over, her hooves dragging her up, away from the abyss.

Reaching the top of the cropping awards her with a view of the chaos below. Off to the right, the
the mare struggles to stay above ground, dancing from plate to plate. The stallion has disappeared, likely sucked up by the earth.

On the other side, ninety eight. He’s lying belly-up on the snow, miraculously staying above ground despite the chaos around him.

Then she sees it. Emerging from between the cracked earth. A monster.

Her mind jolts at the sight, trying to make sense of things. It’s a pony technically, or used to be at least. The muzzle, mane, brown coat are all there. Then the six glowing eyes. Then the enormous, green-tipped pincers. Then the six skittering legs in place of legs and hooves. The source of the earthquake comes in the form of its thick spade tail constantly slamming against the ground. In some twisted way, it reminds her of the small scorpions she’d find when she was younger, out in the south, while visiting her cousin.

It wastes no time. No searching for targets, no surveying the battle. The moment it erupts from the dirt, it advances upon ninety-eight.

What can she do? She opens her mouth, yet can barely hear her own scream. Lifts her bow, only to nearly fall from her perch into the shifting soil below. Tries to rise only to be thrown back to her stomach. So she watches.

Fast is the first thing she takes note of. Despite the abandonment of its hooves, it had settled into its new six legs with frightening efficiency. Within seconds it crosses the distance, towering over the poor stallion.

One of its pincers snake out, grabbing the rookie and lifting it above its head, his mouth gaping in a silent scream. Any second now and she’d hear it, see it. That rare, sick cracking of bones. The slow, agonizing folding of flesh and—

The colt explodes. A shower of blood red, bone white, and glowing green shoots out in all directions, staining the snow. The smell of blood and flesh is thick. She doubles over and nearly vomits, yet holds it in. Keep going. Know the situation. Know your enemy.

The monster’s pincers are now empty aside from a few chunks of meat. Wherever the green liquid had landed from the explosion, a smoking crater now stood.

Yet there was one thing in their favor now: the earthquake had stopped. Their turn.

She lifts her left foreleg, snapping her hoof into the cuff of the bow. With a strong tug to the left and a short jerk up, it comes unfastened from her back, her hoof now in complete control of the weapon.

At the same time she leans for her right quiver, clenching one of the arrows between her teeth. In one swift motion she swings her neck back around, notching the arrow as soon as the weapon and ammo meet.

All done in a single blink of an eye. Not her best, but it would do.

The monster is on the move once more, his target the mare on the opposite side of the clearing. The mare has her own bow ready, drawing back the string. Too long a shot for her. It’s a clear miss. It’ll be on top of her before she can fire another.

She stands in a perfect spot, perpendicular to the action before her. Steady breaths. Stay calm. Stay focused. The hinge protruding from her right hoof helps to draw the bow back. All that’s left now is to let slip, fire.

Painted wood. Hanging sheets. Clay disks. Even a few birds, though she’d never confess. To hell if she misses a six-by-ten scorpion pony monster.

Her hoof jerks away along with the hinge, releasing the string.

A gut-wrenching hiss fills the clearing. She lowers her bow, then curses. For the first time in years, her arrow had forsaken the path of her eyes, aimed directly at the monster’s head. Instead, it protrudes from its armored side.

Six eyes turn to look at her. Yes. Come here you bastard. Goddess knows if she could out-maneuver this thing, but she stood a better chance than the rookie.

Merely a passing acknowledgement. It continues rampaging forward.

“To me! Run to me!” Hopefully it couldn’t understand them. Then again, did it really matter by now?

The mare begins running along the treeline towards her, skirting the clearing. Too slow, wouldn’t make it. She leaps down from her perch, pulling another arrow as she gallops to meet the mare. Obviously just shooting at it won’t get its attention. Have to be more direct.

So she plants herself between them. The mare has stopped behind her, readying her own bow. The monster is now charging right at her. Very stupid. If the monster didn’t kill her, sister would after hearing the story.

Two arrows strike, the one from behind her hitting its right pincer, her own digging into its chest. As the creature recoils, she gets a clear view of its abdomen. A single thick scar runs its length.

Another arrow notched. Down the sites, six glowing eyes. She’s in control now. Won’t miss. She releases the string.

Both pincers dive down. It digs. Like a sharpened axe through rotwood, the ground parts underneath it, causing the arrow to soar past.

Was it retreating? She turns to call out to the rookie, warn her to be wary.

The familiar crack starts up again. She plants her hooves, preparing for another earthquake. Yes? No? Is it gone?

The newly dug hole ruptures, dirt and snow flying into the air.

For a split second, she’s blinded by a thick cloud of dust. She blinks rapidly, fighting against her body’s screams to close her eyes. Another rumble. This time, however, the ground surges after her, crudely tipped spirals of crust lancing into the sky.

Her vision saves her life, giving just enough time to react. With a push of her hooves she dives, narrowly avoiding being speared alive. She twists during the roll. The move gives her perfect display of the mare. Shaking, terrified, fumbling with her bow to notch another arrow, the unnoticed surge of earth only seconds away.

“Dive!” she screams.

The mare looks up. Her eyes widen in terror an instant before the path of destruction meets her.

Once more, she fights not to close her eyes.

The lance of earth tears through the rookie’s center, ripping out her back and lifting her a good two feet from her hooves before finishing. Front and back legs flail wildly. Screams become pained gurgles as blood and spittle fly from her mouth and stomach. It persists for a few sick seconds before she finally falls limp, that same look of wide-eyed terror stuck on her corpse.

An ear splitting crack breaks her from the morbid sight. The monster surfaces once more, peering back over its shoulder at its skewered prey.

It grins, finding enjoyment in its work.

Sentient. She guessed it before. Too intelligent, too calculated. But to see it confirmed before her very eyes? Horrifiying.

Hooves shake as she begins to notch another arrow. Nopony left but her. The others murdered without remorse. Adrenaline begins to fade, replaced by true fear.

Now he looks to her. The grin widens. He begins skittering parallel to the treeline, closing the gap between them. Years of training slip from memory as she aims, eyes darting, breathing frantic.

A hit, but a clear miss to the eyes as she wanted, instead impacting his shoulder blade. Despite the lime fluid that drips from the wound and a second hiss of pain, he continues barreling towards her, the rush of victory washing away all pain.

Thoughts become primal, twitch based.

No time to notch another arrow. Too fast. Too close. Dodge! Roll! Dive! Do something!

The pincer swoops down. High. She ducks. A loud clack and rush of wind sound over her head.

Looking up only conveys how exposed she is.

The monster towers over her, rearing back its second pincer. She rolls. Snow kicks up as he slams the ground she had just lain in. Can’t keep dodging. Eventually, one would land. One is all it would take.

In the precious few moments she has, she rotates her left hoof. While her bow lies snapped against her inner foreleg, her axe is sheathed, belted to her outer foreleg. She slams her right hoof into the cuff, rips the axe free, then slashes it into the nearest target.

Pincer? Leg? Celestia knows what she hit, but it worked. The monster reels back in pain, thrashing wildly. Now if she could just get on her hooves...

Blotches of red flash as a part of the flailing beast slams into her, sending her airborn. A gentle breeze, weightlessness. Relaxing. Is this what flying felt like?

Then she hits the ground. Several yards of tumbling later and she comes to a stop, a metallic, bitter taste in her mouth. Please let those crunches be snow.

Not that it matters. As she struggles to her hooves, spitting blood, the monster ceases its thrashing, settling its six burning eyes upon her. Hopeless. She had only left dents. A few holes and a scratch was nothing to that thing. Her? Everything hurt. Legs burning, head throbbing, exhausted. Years of training, believing she was the best, for nothing. She’d failed. Failed herself, failed her comrades, failed her brother and sister, failed—

“Lady?”

Both her and the creature look towards the muffled call.

The stallion. Alive. Half of him pokes up from the snow, clearly having just dug himself free. His gaze shifts from her to the monster, an expression of pure terror forming across his face.

The battle is frozen in time. They form a near perfect triangle between each other, her closer to the center of the clearing while the monster and stallion run parallel to the treeline.

She can read the monster’s thoughts through its eyes and actions as it glances between them. Finish off the mare, or kill the stallion while he’s still pinned down?

It gives her one last gaze before bolting towards the stallion. The rookie cries out, fighting to free himself.

No way he’ll make it. No way she can stop it.

And yet her thoughts resurface. Don’t fail. Save him. Return home.

The quick, primal instincts begin to merge with her memories.

“Now what the hay is that? Ya plan to swing it around like some flail or somethin’?”

Instinct has her reach underneath her belly, to her left side. Training has her tug the rope free.

Only about a fourth of the distance crossed. She sees it now. It’s tired, slower, a slight limp in its movement.

“No! Here, lemme show ya. Just gotta find a target. Hmmmm...”

She loops the rope around her shoulder, galloping forward, in the intersection between the two.

Halfway. The stallion is still struggling. There’s a forest of trees behind the creature, a sea of targets.

“Well ain’t that a way ta prove yer sister wrong! You tied up Stonetree like a rampagin’ hog!” Her sister chuckles, then shakes her head. “Kinda like in the old days, back at the Acres?” She says with a lowered voice, as if recalling a fond memory.

She smiles back. “Exactly like ‘em.”

A few yards. Now or never. The rope slips from her shoulder, into her right hoof. As it slides down, she draws back her right foreleg, thrusting it forward.

The rope flies out, its two ball-weighted ends allowing it to twirl horizontal through the air. Perfect throw.

And for the first time since the chaos began, perfect aim as well. The ball at one end of the rope makes contact with the monster’s right pincer arm. Doesn’t stop there. The other ball continues past, wrapping around a tree directly behind him.

Not until the creature’s arm is thrown back does it realize the projectile was no arrow. Skittering legs come to a forceful stop as the rope reaches its full length. At first it simply pulls at the rope. A minor annoyance.

She fires an arrow. Three. Hits the upper chest, the monster convulsing. Just a bit higher.

It wisens up, using its second pincer to tear at the rope. It hisses triumphantly as it breaks free, diverting its attention from the helpless stallion to her.

Another arrow. Two. The victorious cry turns into a roar of pain as the point strikes it straight in the eyes.

Satisfying, but no. Lower.

Pincers slash wildly as the monster drops any defense it once held, charging towards her.

Closer than she thought. She can either shoot or attempt a dodge.

She notches another, waiting until the beast is nearly upon her. She fires. One. Before it even leaves the bow, she knows its a direct hit. The way it soars, arcing slightly. The missile lands square between its head and chest, into the throat.

The same gurgling she had heard coming from the mare only a minute before returns, deeper. The creature continues stumbling forward, one pincer at its own throat, the other outstretched towards her.

Zero. Her last arrow.

She pulls the bow back as far as possible. Wood creaks, string strains. It doesn’t even arc as it fires. Straight through the throat, causing the monster’s head to come loose, severed with the help of the first arrow.

The body thrashes, skittering a few yards more before collapsing before her hooves.

It was over, right? She stands there, staring at the corpse. Twitch. Twitch. Then finally, still. She collapses, closing her eyes. Patterned wind, branches swaying, soft clear cool breeze. Peaceful again.

“Uh, lady?”

Oh. Shit. Eyes snap back open, a sky of yellow, purple, and grey greeting her. Every muscle screams as she rolls back onto her stomach. But rest could come later. She staggers to her hooves and trots past the monster’s body. The rookie stallion is still half-stuck in the snow, struggling to pull himself out. It would appear comical, if not for his violent shivering. Any longer and hypothermia would set in.

“I need you push with me. Give it everything you’ve got. On my count, okay?” He nods. Bending down, she wraps her left leg around his neck and head, the right under the stallion’s own left leg. “Ready? One... two... three!” She pulls, he pushes. For a dreadful instant, she fears they won’t have the combined strength. Then, slowly, the ground sifts as he slides out, falling atop her. They roll from each other, rising to their hooves.

He’s in way worse a condition. Almost a mirror image of the wayward colt, frozen solid weeks ago. Nevertheless, he bows his head. “T-thanks. T-t-thought I was trapped. Completely d-dark.” His frozen eyes drift to the creature’s corpse. “S-sorry I couldn’t h-help.”

She rips off her own cloak and wraps it around him, ignoring the nipping cold that begins tickling her back. “Its fine. Nothing you could have done. Come on, let’s get you back to the fort.”

She makes to trot on, his leg resting across her back. He doesn’t budge.

“Wait. I w-want to see this.”

Talking about the monster of course. As much as she’s concerned, she’s just as curious as her companion. She trots them closer to the corpse.

For a while they stand there, staring. The legs, pincers, tail... keeping things simple, it was a pony mixed with a scorpion. That said, what the hell created it? Why attack them? Two ponies murdered, and they had no reason, no clear motive.

The stallion looks to the distance, where the still-skewered mare hung. Then to the chunks of flesh that still dotted the clearing. Now back to the creature, his eyes running the length of its massive body.

He shakes his head. “What? W-why?”

She opens her mouth only to say nothing. It had been sentient. Yet it talked of no motive, showed no remorse, no hesitation in its killing. There was a word for that.

She pats him on the back, whispering as she turns him away.

“Monster.”

Chapter 1

“What’s the status report on those mast ropes?”

The sailor curses, freezing in his tracks. He brings his hoof up in a weak salute. “Replaced ‘em cap’n. Fresh outta the storage. Ain’t gon’ break again.”

Oh, if he had a bit for every time he heard that! “Did you check the durability? The quality? Strong in water? Two stallion stress test?”

The stallion scratches at the back of his neck, eyes upward. “Uh... yeahrs sir.”

His eyes narrow. Pirates lying. A bit under sneaking diamond dogs on the deception scale. “Get to work on that. Now.”

“But cap’n, ta’ damn things bran’ new!” The pirate whines.

He slams a hoof against the wood, startling the sailor. “So were the last set of ropes and they snapped during that pathetic windstorm! I already have good enough reason to throw your useless flank overboard, so get back down on the deck and make certain I won’t have another!”

Grumbling and a second salute is all he gets, yet the stallion begins making his way to the masts, tugging at the ropes. Were this a proper crew, such behavior would earn lashings and cleaning duty for weeks to come. ‘Proper’ is the last word he would use to describe these low-lives.

He grimaces. ‘Low-lives’ should be as well. Rough as they were, Equestria is their home just as much as anypony. They had left, fought, and lost friends and loved ones just as everypony else had.

Perhaps he needs another break. An hour or so to stretch his legs, check up on company, free up his mind.

His hooves loosen from the ship’s wheel. “Anchor, take the wheel.”

“Aye cap’n.” A mare answers back in a gruff voice, trotting to his side. “Thought ye could use a scout ‘round the deck. Ye were holdin’ the wheel so hard I thought ye would crush it.”

He backs away from the wheel, exhaling as the mare takes his place. “I won’t be out for long, so don’t get too comfortable there.”

“As always.” She starts up a lazy whistle.

He starts down the steps, surveying the deck. Any crew member he eyes responds with a swift nod and a quickened pace. Were he less learned as back in his cabin colt days, he’d be wary of such movements. Now however, over the years, he’s come to recognize it as a sign of respect. Well, as much as a pirate can give. Good enough for him. Meant he had less a chance of waking up with his throat slit.

Two unicorn mares catch his eye, both of whom stand out from the rest of the crew. One leans her side against the pole of the foremast, a mane of shimmering midnight blue flowing all the way down to the top of her right foreleg. Her purple coat doesn’t quite reach the same majesty of her mane or tail, but something still seems to click about it. A deep, powerful violet that gives her an air of superiority, yet avoids being rich enough to have her appear snobby. Perfect for her, if he thinks about it. Upon her flank, a pearl war glaive enwrapped by a thorny dark blue rose stands out.

Overall beautiful. Keeping everypony off of her for the past fourteen years had been a nightmare. Stallions, mares, and on occasions, Celestia-knows-whats. She’d get into a ‘relationship’ with anypony, sometimes for months, sometimes weeks, and a lot of times, days.

All that changed three years back when she settled with a certain mare. The one standing right beside her in fact, leaning in to whisper. Sunlight Shimmer. Yellow mane, white coat. Sparks as her cutie mark. A foalhood friend of hers.

He gets a lot of questions about them. Aren’t you disappointed? No foals!

Eh. She’s safe with somepony he knows, she’s not sleeping with strangers, and it keeps him from having to dread that moment. The moment every father with a filly fears. The moment she trots up to him slowly, some poor colt trailing behind...

Nah. Not too disappointed. Besides, even at twenty four years she’s an atom bomb. Wouldn’t be surprised if the two called it quits tomorrow.

“Calise, Sunlight.” He nods to them. They both jump at his voice. “Looking tense. Something wrong?”

Calise scoffs, relaxing as she looks to him. “Us? Tense? Have you seen the crew? The whole fleet? Hell, have you seen yourself? Might as well just be another plank on the ship, the way you stand up there like a statue.”

The remark upsets him more than it should. Anyone else on the crew and he’d shrug it off. Hearing it from his own daughter?

She sighs, trotting up to him and giving a soft nuzzle. “Come on dad, don’t be so hard on yourself. I know you’ve got the whole ‘rough and tough sea captain’ thing going on, but you have more reason than anypony else on board to be nervous.”

“Suppose you’re right.” He returns the nuzzle. Huh. Wasn’t yesterday that it was him giving her advice and lessons. Funny how time changes everything. “Still, doesn’t mean I can’t set an example though. Landing with an entire fleet of frightened ponies isn’t on my map.”

“Don’t mean to interrupt uncle Pips, but why is everypony on edge?” Sunlight asks. “You and the other geezers always talk about Equestria as if its some paradise, yet when we finally leave to go back, you all clamp up. Something you’re not telling us?”

Uncle Pips. Damn does he hate that name. He holds back the burning need to scold the mare for now. “How can I describe this... Hmph. Imagine you’re in a tavern and a fight breaks out. A situation I’ve had to pull both of you out before, no?” He cocks an eyebrow at them as they give a wicked grin. “But this time several ponies lie dead on the floor.” Their smiles turn to grim frowns. “Any ponies still alive hold a sword to each other’s throat. Then you walk out of the tavern. What happened? Did they make peace? Did they kill each other? Did they destroy the entire tavern in the process?”

Calise snorts. “Heh. I’d of walked back in and beat them all into submission then took their weapons.”

The image of his daughter galloping around Equestria beating everypony into submission makes him smile. Not what he’d do given the power, but it doesn’t bother him. Humility and humbleness are the last thing she had inherited from him, if she had inherited any of his traits at all. Definitely not the grungy looks.

Sunlight doesn’t look convinced, shaking her head. “But Emissary Posey said—”

“Emissary Posey is a good friend and a stallion I would trust with my life.” He cuts her off. “But you didn’t see what happened. Returning to Equestria to find even a scrap of peace is something I could only dream of. I’ll believe it when I see it.”

“And if we return and the whole place is a war zone?” Sunlight asks.

The possibility makes him shudder. “We have a sizable force. With any luck, we’ll be able to make a big enough shout for everypony else to listen.”

“Hell yeah! Sounds good to me!” Calise’s horn glows a vibrant green as she levitates a long silver war glaive from her back, twirling it about.

“Calise.” His deadpan stare confuses her. “I’m talking peacefully here. War is the last thing I’d want to bring to Equestria, especially after our soldiers have been fighting back monsters their entire lives.”

“Ugh. Fine.” She sheaths the glaive again. “Knowing my luck we’ll land to a party.”

He can’t help but smile. A party. Planned by a certain pink pony no doubt. Everypony would be there, welcoming them back. Everypony. But that was impossible.

A fog covers his vision. Such a pleasant thought, turned morbid in seconds. He wipes his eyes, turning away from his daughter and her lover. After a quick swipe of his eyes, he’s back. “Pirates are planning another arena fight tonight. Lots of soldiers joining in as well. Either of you in?”

Both snort, Calise less so. “I swear fighting and getting drunk is all these low-lives do.” He nearly chokes. “Eh. I’ll be there. Doubt I’ll fight though. Already beaten everyone on this boat.”

“Never seen you fight Coal.”

She raises her eyebrow, staring at him with an amused expression.

“He’s been wanting to duel you for years now. Really looks up to you.” He shrugs. “Think now’s a better time than never. Soon as we land, you two probably won’t have the opportunity.”

There’s a moment of silence as she continues staring. Finally, she turns to Sunlight, the two sharing a small laugh. When she looks back to him, she shakes her head. “Pass. I don’t hit foals.”

“Calise, he’s not a foal anymore. I know you still see him as young, but you can’t keep treating him like a colt.” His tone comes out more pleading than he’d hoped.

“How old is he? Sixteen?”

“Eighteen. Turned a week before we set out.”

She smirks. “Like I said. Don’t hit foals.”

“Very well.” He retreated, throwing up a hoof. He’d been in this same situation hundreds of times throughout his fatherhood. Best thing to do was just let it go. She’d have to change her thoughts on her own. With that, he nuzzles his daughter, half-bowing to Sunlight. “Need to go check up on the rest of the crew. You two stay out of trouble.”

“Now why would we do that?”

“See ya Pips!”

Snickering erupts behind him as he trots further down the boat. Those two would be the death of him, swear it.

The back of the ship is much more populated, bristling with activity. The pirate from before has begun scaling the mizzenmast, having gained a partner to help him with the rope. Another trots past him with a mop, handle firm in his mouth. Two chatting soldiers salute as he trots by.

“Give it back you damn animal!”

“Ay! Lay another hoof on meh and I’ll cut it off!”

He looks to the direction of the commotion. A soldier is on the offense, mere inches from a rivaling pirate’s muzzle. The two look ready to fight at a notice. “At ease crew! Either of you assault the other and I’ll be the one cutting off hooves!”

They stumble back from each other, the soldier looking to him with pleading eyes. “Commander Pipsqueak, Look! This—”

“It’s captain while we’re on ship, private.”

The soldier is confused for a moment, then straightens back up, redoubling his efforts. “Forgive me, captain.” An accusing hoof shoots out at the pirate. “This scoundrel has obviously stolen a weapon and tunic from the Shadow Guard armory! Punish him at once!”

He looks to the pirate. Sure enough, a standard armed sword of the Guard is strapped crudely to his left foreleg, running its length. Upon his chest, the Guard’s signature black tunic is fastened.

Now the question comes. What does he do? Take the items from the pirate? The soldier leaves be happy, but the pirate will be angered and spread venomous words among his friends, no doubt. Let the pirate keep them? He gets some cred among the pirates, but the soldier will be enraged, believing him an unworthy leader.

“Captain?”

He raises his head, standing resolute and powerful. Hopefully it was deceptive enough. “Private,” he nods to the pirate “you can keep the weapon, but not the tunic. It’s a symbol of the Shadow Guard which you are not a part of. Remove it immediately and pass it to your crew member. Soldier, return this tunic to the armory.”

As expected, grumbling starts between them as they make the exchange. Once they’re done, they part ways in complete silence, leaving him to stand there like an idiot. Commanding a crew or a troop was difficult, but doable. Hell he’d done it most of his life. While plenty of problems would boil up between members, most of the hate was focused upon the enemy and everypony shared enough similarities and morals that it would all come to a satisfying cool. Captaining two completely different factions that are on the same boat? New to him, and damn did it make him feel like a rookie again.

Best to keep trotting before anypony catches his dumbfounded expression.

The back of the boat is much like the front. Two sets of steps lead up to a higher, smaller deck while two pairs of open doors beneath them lead into the mess room, galley, and cabins. Last thing he needs right now is the humid air and loud noise inside. He takes the steps to the back deck, slowing as he reaches their end.

A single stallion looks over the back railing, gazing out at the black seas and dark blue skies.

Amazing how much he’s grown. A messy jet black mane and tail is the first thing he notices. A white line runs down the center, but its so dirty it nearly blends in with the rest of his hair. Doesn’t matter how many times he tells him to wash, a minute later it’s layered with soot. Hopeless. Coat’s still the same, albeit a small glimmer of silver has crept into the gray. A cutie mark of a shield crossed by a hammer and sword graces both his thighs.

"Is this how it felt when you left Equestria?" The stallion asks. Though the words are soft-spoke and the wind is against them, he hears them with an alien clarity.

He trots to the stallion's side, joining him in his sentinel. "Depends. Are you saddened to leave? Do you hold any remorse?"

The stallion looks to him for an instant with hard sapphire eyes. "I don't."

"Then no. It isn't."

The eyes return to the sea, the stallion pursing his lips.

"Is something wrong, Coal?"

Coal draws his hooves slowly from the railing, bringing one up in a salute. "No sir. Was there something you needed?"

"No. Just a talk."

The way his hoof drops back to the planks, his legs shuffling. It's awkward. Somewhere between idling with a friend and respecting one's superiors.

He regrets that now. Too little too late, however.

“Posey and my charts are saying Equestria either early or late tomorrow. Got any expectations?”

His squire glances up to the permanent dark-blue sky above them then to the east. It stretches to the horizon. “Yes sir. The sun.”

Of course. His squire’s entire life had been spent under a dull, lifeless sheet of clouds. To see the sun for the first time... would it be the same for him? Was twenty years enough to forget nineteen?

Then again, would the sun even be there? Departing from the shore of Vanhoover, the sky had been spiraling out of control, day and night no longer a conceivable concept. Surely over twenty years of practice would be enough. Surely.

“Heavy expectations. You’d be in luck if that was your first taste of Equestria,” Grim, yet true.

Coal grimaces. “So what do I expect? Paradise or another Shadow Lands?”

“Neither. I want you to expect nothing.” He puts a hoof around his friend’s back. “As soon as we land, no matter what happens, I want you to follow everything I say, exactly. Every order.”

“I always have,” Coal says.

He shows him a sad smile. “I know. But now more than ever.”

Coal nods.

“Well! Enough of that!” He lifts his hoof. “I’ve been told the pirate’s are having another fight group on the main deck tonight. Plan on attending?”

For the first time Coal brightens, rising. "Of course. Will you be there?"

The hope in those deep blue topaz eyes overwhelms him. Couldn’t say no to them over twenty years ago, can’t say no to them now. Not that he wanted to.

“I’ll be there.”

“Charge that skinny bastard lad! Plank will snap like a twig!”

“Ya got him Plank! That colt be a slow one!"

He watches from the front deck’s railing. Large crowd tonight. Not surprising. Coal brought even the most stalwart of the Shadow Guard up from their cabins and even won over a few of the pirates. Not that they knew him by name or anything. Cheers towards his squire were highlighted with labels such as 'lad', 'colt', the occasional 'smokey', or, the one which made him grit his teeth every time...

"Trip that bastard an' knock him off his hooves!"

There it is. It annoys him. Coal's probably helped make most if not all of their weapons and they repay him with slander. Not just the pirates either. He's caught even the shadow guard letting it slip.

What grates him the most is that he can't accuse them of any wrong. For all their knowledge, Coal was a bastard foal.

The standstill between the two combatants breaks as the lanky pirate charges the young stallion. A loud smack thunders over the crowd as they converge, wood meeting wood. Only a few blows later and the pirate jumps back. Probably realized he was outmatched. Smart move.

“I’ll sail back to ta shadowlands tonight and piss all o’er yer mother’s grave if ya lose to this damn bastard!”

The pirate hops around, wiping sweat from his brow. Coal stares back, strafing, unblinking. Memories of scolding, complaining as salt bored itself into his eyes. Don’t blink. Don’t wipe. It gives an opening and advantage to your opponent. Be resilient.

In a sudden jerk the pirate dives to the right, bucking out with a back hoof. He almost groans as he sees Coal raise his left hoof. Rules were clear: No shields, just wooden weapon against wooden weapon.

So the kick sails past the raised leg, its natural length allowing for a clear strong impact to the stomach. Coal stumbles away, his sides convulsing. The crowd roars.

Once again, a good move. The cheap shot knocks out Coal’s breath and surprises the young stallion. Most of his training had been more ordered, focused on how to fight targets of equal or greater skill. Tricky opponents like this were new.

Taking advantage, the pirate tackles Coal, both forelegs wrapping around his neck. Then he takes his sword hoof and begins smashing it down.

He closes his eyes, giving a silent curse. Fight should end soon now. Out of breath, constant beating. He waits for the two taps.

Instead, the crowd surges once more.

“Oh!”

He opens his eyes. Coal recovers, slamming the knee of his front leg into the pirate’s ribs.

“Oooh!”

Again. The pirate refuses to let go, yet yelps in pain at each impact.

“Ooooooooh!”

He smiles as the pirate is thrown off, spitting and grasping his sides. Doesn’t mean he never taught his squire a few wrestling and hoof-to-hoof moves. Coal follows after the pirate. Injured no doubt, yet his trot is that of a pony who has just entered the fight.

Exhaustion has slowed the pirate down. No more keep away. They clash swords once more. Despite his tired state the pirate is on the offense, his swings large, slow, and haphazard. Coal parries and dodges each blow with ease.

Finally, an opening. Coal spots it too, rapping the side of his opponent’s skull with a sharp strike. The pirate stumbles, clutching his head. Hit him again. End it.

He settles for a mercy ram, sending the pirate sprawling to the ground. A meek two taps sounds as the opponent slams his hoof twice against the wood planks.

Groans and roars surge through the crowd.

"Fuck! I had twenty bits on you ya sack of shit!"

"All that smith work bein' put to good use eh lad? Gettin' me paid at least ha ha!"

Coal looks up to where he stands, a small grin dancing on his muscle. He smiles back.

“Who’s up next against the lad? Does anyone dare? Anyone?”

A hushed murmur runs through the crowd, but nopony steps forward. There’s a few Shadow Guard veterans here who could beat Coal, no doubt, but they detested the pirate's games.

“Awright then ya damn cowards. Lad, ya—”

“I will, I guess.” A mare shouts in a bored tone.

While the crowd below is looking to the source in confusion, he bristles up. Calise.

The crowd parts before her as she walks from the interior of the ship, directly below him. She comes into view, Sunlight tailing beside her. A wooden pole, just a slight longer than their regular practice sword, twirls in the air about her, enwrapped by a green glow.

He looks to Coal. The concentration which had carried him through the last two fights has shattered. His jaw hangs slightly open, eyes wide. Not stricken by looks. No, Coal doesn't see her that way. For him, this is a rite of passage. The equivalent of a goddess herself descending and demanding a duel.

“Well if it isn’t Captain Pipsqueak’s pride and joy! Tonight, she dares challenge the—”

The announcer is silenced once more with a pole mere inches from his face. Calise’s point is made, the pirate retreating back into the crowd with a nervous grin.

Everypony on the ship leans forward as Calise turns to Coal. Any more and he’d tumble off the rails.

“Ready?” Calise asks with a sigh.

Loose pose, spaced out eyes. His attention was far from the battle.

Coal nods anyway, raising his sword.

The pole lances out like a spear, its tip smashing into Coal’s nose.

Gasps and groans run through the crowd as the trembling young stallion retreats, covering his muzzle with a hoof. Calise twirls the pole about like a baton, a casual step in her trot as she advanced.

Can’t keep holding that muzzle forever. He purses his lips as Coal drops his hoof, returning to his battle stance. A blotch of red stains his foreleg and a thick line of crimson runs down his face.

The crowd squirms at the sight, every pirate clearly struggling to withhold their foul words directed at the captain’s daughter.

The pole shoots out again. Coal’s ready this time, bringing up his sword hoof and deflecting the attack. Not soon after it surges back down, aiming for his head. He brings up the sword and blocks. Every attack causes the green glow around the pole to shimmer and fluctuate. For the first time Calise’s expression turns from a confident smirk to a concentrated frown.

Another strong block and the aura waivers. Coal’s seen enough of her sparring. He should know what this means. Attack.

Fighting either a pegasus or another earth pony, he’d consider his squire’s sudden gallop forward a bit reckless. Fighting an unicorn? You either get up in their muzzles or they break you from afar with magic.

A few steps more and that’s where Coal will be. Calise regains control of the staff and begins reeling it back in for defense. All too late. Coal readies his sword hoof.

A direct hit to the face will even the fight back up. The teacher and guardian in him cheers his squire on. The father screams for him to leap down and protect his daughter.

But it never comes. Instead, Coal’s sword soars lower, striking Calise’s chest. Her face flashes with brief shock, pain, then anger. Coal retreats, losing his melee advantage.

He’s holding back. Perhaps he doesn’t want to anger her, make their relationship even more skewed than it already is. Perhaps he's still caught in the moment. Perhaps the back of his mind reminds him that this is his godfather’s own daughter. Perhaps all three.

Whatever it is, all tension is erased. Below the crowd continues to be impressed, but to him the battle has already ended. The half-minute more of trading blows, dodging, hitting, all leads up to the inevitable finish. Coal staggers back after a particular hit to his chest, Calise finishes with a sweep of his legs. Before he can rise back to his hooves, she’s pinned him down with her staff.

Tap. Tap. The end.

Calise was going to win. No doubt there. Older, more experienced. It was the sloppy fighting from Coal that disappoints him. So many years leading up to this fight... maybe he’d been expecting too much.

He catches his daughter’s glance as she leaves Coal behind. The message in her violet eyes and cocky smirk is clear. ‘Told ya so’. Can hear her say it, clear as day. She faces back forward, saying something to Sunlight. Their signature laugh catches his ears before they disappear underneath him once more.

Pops accompany his aching joints as he leaves his view, beginning down the steps. He was getting old.

Coal still lies belly-down upon the wood floor, the crowd grumbling curses as they dispersed.

He trots to his squire’s side, offering a hoof.

His head shakes as he rises to his hooves, wiping away the last drops of blood from his nose. “Sorry sir, about—”

“Don’t be. You made some mistakes, but you did well. Especially with those first two pirates.”

Coal takes the compliment, yet still frowns. No surprise there. He’s not the sort of stallion to brush aside mistakes. Both a strength and a weakness.

“How about a drink?” He motions to the ship’s interior. “On me." Something to lift his spirits.

Coal looks towards the taverns entrance. He nods. "Sounds good."

The tavern’s full tonight. Every table is filled, a few ponies forced to use the floor itself as their table. Laughter is also minimal, conversations ferried by hushed whispers.

Equestria is just over the horizon.

He’d of almost forgotten were it just him and Coal, prattling on about battle tactics.

“He’d of been better off keeping both hooves wrapped around my neck instead of hitting me with the sword.” Coal takes a sip from his drink then coughs, setting it back down with a frown. “Then again, that would have led to a wrestling match, and I think I’d of outmuscled him.”

“You say that, yet everyone in the crowd thought you were a goner the moment he started smashing your head in. Me included, truthfully. Had me surprised when you got back up and kept fighting.” He takes a swig from his own mug. Swamp Froth, the same Coal has in his cup. Not a particularly strong beverage despite the intimidating name.

Coal shrugs. “You know me. Always had a good second wind.”

“Always. Any thoughts on your duel with Calise? Was it everything you hoped for?”

Coal shifts, appearing uneasy. Finally, he answers with an awkward grin. “What can I say? She’s way more skilled and I messed up pretty bad myself. Still, it was good. A little disappointed she ran off after the fight was done, but eh," he shrugs "she was probably busy."

No Coal. No she wasn't. "Well. You know Calise. Always running about the place."

Before a response can be made his squire’s mouth opens wide, letting out a yawn. After several blinks his eyelids come to a rest, drooped. “Eugh. Sorry sir.”

“Tired?”

“Yeah. Must be all the fighting.”

And the suspense no doubt. “Why don’t you retire for the night? Got a big day tomorrow.”

Coal nods in agreement, brushing the mug of Swamp Froth aside. After he rises to his hooves, he looks back to him. “You’ll wake me, right? At the first sign of... well, anything?”

He bows his head. “I will. Probably won’t need to, actually. The crew will cause their own hellstorm soon as a speck of something peculiar hits the horizon. Still, I’ll make sure you’re up.”

“Thanks.”

The reality hits him as he watches Coal weave through the tavern, back to his cabin. Tomorrow, when his squire wakes up, a whole new world would await him. His whole life up until this moment has been troubled, no doubt. Fighting off strange creatures, working night to day in the forges. A trade he cherishes of course, yet a miracle he suffers no lung problems. Despite their love for him, his comrades label him as a bastard foal. That blame goes mostly to himself. Never gave them a reason to assume otherwise.

Could all of that prepare him? What role would he play? Still a smith for sure, yet he seems to enjoy being a knight of the Guard as well.

“So, what did he say?”

He snaps back to attention. Calise and Sunlight had taken Coal’s spot, eyes staring wide with anticipation.

“What did who say?” he manages to ask.

Calise rolls her eyes. “Coal. I saw you two just now.” A sly grin creeps up her face. “What were the excuses? Sick? Not a real weapon? Tired from the fights before?”

He reaches across the table and retrieves Coal’s mug, placing it beside his own. “None of the above.”

Both mares lean back with clear disappointment.

“Bet ya he was thinking it,” Sunlight says. The two mares growl with approval as they bump hooves.

For Celestia’s sake. Calise may mean all the world to him and Sunlight holds a place in his heart, but damn could they be a hoof full. Suppose their fire is better than moping around with morbid thoughts, but still...

He takes another drink from his own mug, shaking his head after. “You both fought admirably and that’s all there is. Coal just needs a few more years of training and a bit of a kick. You’re clearly more experienced as of now.”

“So I was right,” Calise folds her forelegs. “Still a colt.”

“Even the wisest mares and stallions can still learn, be it combat or else. Look at me. I’m getting old and still have a hard time captaining a fleet.”

Sunlight scoffs. “A hard time being the captain of thirty ships. Anypony else at Dusk Shore would have had difficulty controlling one.” She leans back, placing both hooves behind her head. “Honestly if I was in your position I’d be bathing in the glory as much as possible, having people call me a hero wherever I went...” Her eyes seem to glaze over before she grounds herself. “But that’s why I’m not captain!”

For once Calise doesn’t follow up on her partner’s energy. She averts her eyes from him, staring down at the table. “Old? You?” She does one of those fake half-hearted laughs. “No way. Hell you’re in the middle of leading this huge exodus, then you’ll have to set up a base in Equestria, then you’ll need to be there if anything—”

“Calise.”

She stops, raising her head. To a father, the turmoil is clear in her eyes. No tears. Much too headstrong for that. But the pain is strong.

He leans in, lowering his voice. “I want you to listen to me. No jokes, completely serious. Okay?”

She’s terrified, letting out shallow breaths. Sunlight watches them both, remaining silent.

“Okay.”

He takes a deep breath. “The ponies that lead our exodus from Equestria twenty years ago were old then, even older now. Most of the veteran leaders of the Shadow Guard are the same ones from when we landed. Years of fear, then over twenty years of fighting off monsters. They’re tired Calise. To them, Equestria is their return home. The end of their fight. The beginning of their retirement and rest. And why not? We all grow old. Nopony can fight forever. They deserve that rest. The question is, who takes their place? Who raises the banner?”

Calise straightens up.

“I’ll tell you now, it won’t be ponies like me. Most ponies my age stayed in Equestria, hoping for the best. The ones of my generation that did come along? We were lost. Still lost. Stuck between a chaotic world we hadn’t even begun to fully understand and this new, horrifying one we wanted nothing to do with. No. The ponies who will lead and take charge are mares and stallions like you, Calise. Everypony, both old and young, those who left and those still in Equestria, will look to your youth and energy and leadership for a brighter future. Understand?”

Her hunched posture is gone, her head raised high. “I understand.”

“And you.” Sunlight straightens as he addresses her. “You’ll need to be right there beside her, supporting her and leading as well. Where she fails, you succeed. Understand?”

“Understood uncle Pips.” She salutes. Still a bit playful, but the sincerity is rich in her voice.

Exhaustion overcomes him as he retreats, leaning against the back of his chair. Why were long emotional speeches like that so draining?

“So I guess you told the same thing to Coal earlier huh?” Calise says, as if its more fact than personal guesswork.

Clearly false, yet it gives him pause. “No. I didn’t. Coal is...” He pauses. “Coal is still growing. A stallion now, mind you,” he adds on to silence Calise’s ‘I told you so’, “but still developing. A part of me wants to say he’ll be there beside you, helping in the lead. Another sees him as a simple blacksmith, living out the rest of his days forging and serving as a guard or small militia leader. He’ll grow up to be a good stallion, I’m sure of that. The rest? That’s for him to decide.”

“And you?” Calise asks.

“Like I said, nopony can fight forever.” His daughter looked to be struck. “... but that doesn’t mean I can’t damn well try.”

Calise is smiling, trying her best to look devious. “Of course. Should have known getting you off my back wouldn’t be so easy.”

“Nope. I’ll be the gray, decaying old stallion hovering over your shoulder.” He allows a rasp to sneak into his speech, holding out his arms like some Nightmare Night ghost. “Caliiiise, these are the worst battle plans I ever did see! Caliiiiiiise, these new recruits are nothin’ compared to how we was back in the day!”

The two mares try their hardest to muffle their snorts of laughter.

He rises from his seat, circling the table. “Alright, that’s enough. I need to get back to the wheel before Anchor somehow sends the entire fleet off the edge of the world.”

“Not going to sleep?” Calise asks as she gives him a farewell nuzzle.

“Me sleep? Now? Not a chance. Even if I were to try I’d just end up thrashing around in my cabin.” He embraces Sunlight then backs away. “You two however need to get some sleep. You’re old enough now that I shouldn’t have to make you, but can I have a promise?”

Calise and Sunlight look to each other. “We’ll try.”

“Good enough. Goodnight girls.”

They call out their farewells as he heads for the tavern’s exit. Unsurprising that it connects directly with the main deck.

He freezes before passing through. Looking back, the laughing forms of Sunlight and Calise are visible through the thinning crowd. They smile at each other, sipping at the Swamp Froth he’d left behind.

He abandons the exit, instead passing through the door leading deeper into the ship. Past the cannon level, lower. A long corridor awaits him at the bottom, the steady rocking of the ship giving the dimly lit passageway a twisted feature. He trots to the door at the very end, stepping lightly to avoid waking any would-be sleepers. After three soft raps with his hoop, he waits.

The door cracks open.

“Aaaah Pipsqueak.” A smooth, soft voice answers. The door slowly opens wider, revealing an elderly unicorn stallion garbed in a simple brown cloak. His light green mane and dark-green coat were well cared for despite the damp grime of the ship. “Taking a much deserved break from the wheel, I see. What brings you to my humble quarters?”

Already he’s relaxed, simply by the emissary’s presence. “Just wanted a quick visit before heading back up. Check up on you. Have a chat.”

“You are troubled?” Posey smiles knowingly.

“Yes,” he admits, running a hoof through his chestnut mane.

Posey steps aside, beckoning him in. “Come then. A healthy conversation and a cup of fine wine do well in resting an uneasy mind.”

He enters the room, blinking as the light grew weaker.

“Forgive me, Pipsqueak. Quite rude of me to take you in with but one dull candle to light our meeting. Here.”

A new flame springs from the lantern that lays at the center of the room, lit by a spark of Posey’s magic. The stallion levitates a second cushion to the other side of the lamp.

“Please, sit.”

He complies, letting out a pent-up breath as he and Posey settle down. Posey levitates two small glasses and a bottle of wine to him, beginning to pour their drinks.

“Not too much please. Just got out of the tavern and the last thing I want to do is stumble up to the deck drunk.”

Posey chuckles, only filling one of the glasses halfway. He levitates it to him, accepting it gratefully.

“Please, Pipsqueak. Tell me of these troubles you have, when we are but so close to a welcome new home.”

Where to begin? “You’re still sure of this ‘Neighfarer’s Port’? No landing to any nasty surprises?”

The older stallion purses his lips. “Many times you have asked this question to me and still my answer is the same: All will be well. The mayor of the town was graciously accepted to take the entire Shadowland Exodus in. Every mare, stallion, and foal. All will be cared for. All will be safe. All will be well.”

“It just sounds too good to be true...” He lets the words die off, shaking his head.

“Does it? A small, quiet port town? Such a thing would be overlooked even if Equestria did fall into chaos.” Posey raises a hoof to him. “You were in the royal navy yourself for some years, were you not? How was talk of the port amongst the various seafarers?”

The royal navy. So long ago now. “Non-existant.”

“Mmmm.”

“But what of Tall Tale? Los Pegasus? I understand Vanhoover was found desecrated, but surely either of those survived?”

Posey takes a sip of his wine, bowing his head as he lowered it back to the floor. “Tall Tale is gone now as well. Los Pegasus... from what the mayor of Neighfarer’s Port has said, the situation there is... interesting.”

He raises a brow. “Interesting?”

“Peace, Pipsqueak,” Posey whispers, raising a hoof. “Were I to tell you what I remember and know, you would be left muddled and confused and misinformed. The mayor will have better information of it than I.”

He lifts his own cup, growling as he downs the drink in one gulp. “I hate going into things confused. Especially something as big as this.”

“I sympathise completely. You must understand though that if we land tomorrow with a captain rife with mistrust and fear, the people will only mimic it. Remain strong.”

The same thing he had told Calise. “I will.”

“Of course. You always have pulled through.” Posey finishes off his wine, setting the cup aside. “Was there anything else you required?”

“Yes. I’m worried about the young ones. Not the foals, but the mares and stallions who were born and raised in the Shadow Lands, fighting and suffering. Do you believe they have a future in Equestria?”

Posey smiles. “You speak of Coal and Calise, no?”

Had his bias been that obvious? “Yes.”

“You must be worried about the more complex features I presume. Will they be great leaders? Settle down into more simple roles? Destroy? Rebuild?”

Scary how close his deduction is. He nods.

“Then allow me to ease your mind in a more simple manner. Worry not yet of such details, but revel in the immediate future that awaits them. You were young when you left, but Equestria has always been a provider of unity, be it through gods, friendship, alliances, or other such things. The return home of this expedition will mark a great day in the history of Equestria. It is a beginning, a return of that natural unity. The fleet will be accepted and find new homes. Coal and Calise will be accepted and discover their place. You will be accepted. All will be accepted. All will be well.”

All will be well. The words shock him with a pleasant shiver. “Thank you for your time, Posey. I can return to the wheel with a clear mind now.”

Posey bows. “Pay no mind to the deed, Pipsqueak. It’s the most I can do in my growing age.”

They share their farewells before he trots from the room, traversing the ship until he arrived at the main deck. The sky is pitch black. Were it not for the sea of torches of their own vessel and the other twenty-nine around them, he’d be unable to see his hoof in front of his face.

“Alright Anchor. Off the wheel. And go get some sleep while you’re at it."

The mare at the steering wheel grumbles, releasing the controls and leaving the deck.

And then, silence. Nopony left topside but him and the nightwatcher in the crow’s nest.

He grips the wheel with both hooves, taking in the cool breeze that brushes his coat.

Strange. Feels almost like the calm wind before a storm, yet different.

Chapter 2

Blue. Dark-blue to be exact. The color stretches to infinity, converging with the also dark-blue ocean. Were it not for the unique motions of the waves, he’d be unable to tell the two apart. A whole eye-full of nothing but dark-blue.

Dark-blue meant it was daytime. Couldn’t see anything? Night time.

And that’s how life has been. For him and for everypony else. Twenty years.

That was about to change. So he hoped. All of his fears yesterday, all of his worries, tucked away. They were still there, of course. Impossible to brush off the fears he has for Calise, Coal, and all of the Shadow Exodus.

But right now, one fear pushes to the front of his mind: the crow’s nest, calling out land.

Let it be day. A fire will burn away the darkness, welcoming them all home with a warm, loving embrace.

Let it be night. Dark lifeless clouds will part, revealing the thriving darkness of the night. A silver carpet will alight the ocean, giving them a return greeting worthy of royalty.

But please, not land. If the Shadow stretches over Equestria as well, that could only mean that—

“Captain! Somethin’ over ta seas! It’s a... it’s like...”

Can’t wait a second more. He leaves the wheel, running to the front of the ship. Dark-blue. Was the crow’s nest playing some kind of cruel joke?

Then it starts. Like a spark leaping onto a pile of dead branches and leaves, a speck of orange, yellow, and red begins lining the eastern horizon.

“Wake ta crew!” The crow’s nest shouts behind him. “Wake ta entire damn fleet and tell ‘em to get topside now!”

The spark grows, seeping out into the rest of the clouds with curious tendrils.

Below, the ship has turned into a ruptured hornet’s nest. Planks shudder underneath him as thundering hooves race up from the cabins to the outside world.

It’s become a wildfire now, untamed and aggressive as it surges towards them. He holds his breath. Where is it?

“Dad!”

Calise. He turns around to a massive crowd of ponies swamping the front deck. His daughter and Sunlight manage to break through, with Coal wading through the crowd after them. They gallop to his side, turning with him to face the spectacle.

It spreads, reaching out to them. Still nothing. Damn the tension. Was it the sun or not? Did they sail into the loving hooves of a long-lost friend? Or that of a raging inferno lurking below the ocean skyline, waiting to swallow the entire fleet whole?

And then he sees it. Peeking up just over the horizon, a hazy dome of pure golden light.

Everypony throws up a hoof to their eyes for cover, still gazing, still silent.

He takes a deep breath, enjoying the moment of peace. This clears up a few things. Only a few.

“The sun!” Somepony finally shouts.

The entire crew erupts into cheer. Coal and Calise both embrace him, rambling nonsense into his ears. The rest of the fleet soon joins them in their elation, the sounds of celebration echoing from ship to ship.

All he can do is smile and try to stay on his hooves.

“Hey!” He shouts to the crow nest. The crowd falls silent once again, awaiting their captain’s words.

A pirate peeks over the edge. “Aye cap’n?”

“Keep both eyes on the horizon. First sign of land, all kegs of rum are stopped up!” A chorus of despair starts up as he turns to the crew before him. “The rest of you, get to the tavern and drink your last ‘fuck you’s’ to the Shadow Lands!”

Sulking returns to cheering. A stampede to the lower deck begins, complete with whooping, hollering, and roughhousing.

Calise, Coal, and Sunlight stay by his side, staring to the east with shaded eyes.

“Bright, isn’t it?” He asks.

Calise scowls. “Too bright. I already hate it.”

“So it’s just a big ball of fire in the sky?” Coal asks, squinting.

“Yep. What do you think?”

Coal shakes his head. “Don’t know. The light looks nice, but staring right at it hurts.”

“Alright, I’ve seen enough,” Calise says. “Sunlight?”

“Eugh. Same. Hopefully the night won’t be such a let down.”

“Lets hit the tavern then before everypony else empties the rum. See ya dad.”

“Remember to keep an eye on your drinks.” He calls as they trot down the steps. Coal remains by his side, head down to the plank. Every once and awhile he would peek up, stealing a glance. “Not going to head down with them?”

Coal looks up once more, searching for something in the distance. “Eh. I don’t feel much like drinking right now.” Big surprise there. “Besides. I want to stay here and see Equestria as soon as it comes.”

“Might be a while. The sun can stretch pretty far from Equestria.”

Coal sits down on his haunches. “That’s fine. I can wait.”

Always the patient one. “Anchor, take the wh—” He stops as he glances over his shoulder. The mare had already taken his place, giving him a small wave. Thank Celestia they were getting off the ship soon. Every night he was almost certain she grew a step closer to murdering him just for that wheel.

He turns back to Coal, sitting down beside him. Together they face the east, looking from the water, to the clouds, to the distant sun.

The silence is nice, the wind relaxing. His curiosity rages. “So how are you? Worried? Excited? Scared?”

“All of the above.”

They both laugh.

He does a double take, just now noticing the shield strung across Coal’s back and the sword sheathed to his left hoof. It’s the first time since they set hoof on the boat that he wears them.

“I see you’re carrying your shield and blade. Any reason in particular?”

Coal withdraws slightly, as if embarrassed. “Haven’t been able to use them all trip. Thought they could use a bit of fresh air.”

It’s always been a bit foreign, the way Coal treats his armaments. Almost as if they were beings in of themselves. “What were the names again?”

His squire taps his sword. “Temper.” Then the shield. “Obsidian.”

“I never asked, but was this something you learned from Smithy?”

Coal looks to the floor. “No sir. He called it naive.”

He grimaces. “I have to agree. They're hunks of metal twisted to do certain tasks, not living beings.”

“I disagree sir.”

A bit of fire in him. A year back and he would have simply bowed, responding with a typical ‘yes sir’.

In a sudden stroke of thought, he reaches his right foreleg across his chest, unsheathing his own blade. He holds it up to the encroaching sunlight. Notches and crevices plague the sharp edge of the sword while rust chips away at the other. The cloth-wrapped handle is stained and ragged. Overall in poor upkeep, especially compared to Coal’s.

“And what did you name mine?”

His squire looks up at the sword, trained eyes scouring the blade’s every scar. “Tidebringer.”

He can’t help but grin. It’s naive, foalish, yet it awakens something within him. Back in Ponyville, in his younger days, when he imagined himself a superhero of some sorts. Captain Pipsqueak and his trusty blade Tidebringer, finally returning home.

He lowers the blade. “Well, we can’t be rude now can we? Let’s introduce them to each other.”

Coal bristles, eyes wide. “A duel?”

“Yes.”

“Using our real weapons?”

“Yes.”

Coal’s hooves tremble as he reaches behind his back with his left foreleg, pulling his shield free. With the other, he unsheaths his sword.

“Lets keep this at a training-level. I know you’re not one for rolling or diving, but if you feel the need, pass on it. Don’t want either us or Anchor here getting impaled.”

“Eh what was tat cap’n?”

“Nothing Anchor,” he calls over his shoulder. “Keep your eyes to the sea.” He turns back to Coal. “Ready?”

His squire takes several deep breaths then nods, going into a ready stance.

Defensive, eyes focused directly on the target yet still a tad loose, always searching for other attackers. His sword is raised while his shield remains lowered, strapped to his leg. At any moment it could be lifted to block an incoming attack. “Good posture. Now follow it up.”

He starts by swinging at the shield. After the obvious block, he curves the blade back around and strikes at the sword. Almost as resilient as the shield.

They strafe each other a few moments longer. Again he swings, this time sending a series of slashes across Coal’s outer shell. While each attack is blocked and parried, a small opening between the sword and shield catches his eye.

In a sudden twist he stabs forward. The edge of his blade is a safe hoof-and-a-half distance from Coal’s chest, yet enough to slip past his defenses.

“I saw you go for the block there,” he says, retreating his sword. “Bit too slow.”

Coal lifts his shield with a frown. “Not used to the weight after having that practice sword for so long. Last time I fought with them was months ago, against a shadow monster.”

Shadow monsters. Could drag a pony from sleep into the darkness, yet rather slow and exposed in a real battle. Not a particularly strong fight to leave off on. “From here on out, avoid using that wooden toy. Get adjusted to the feeling of steel on your hooves.” He lifts his blade once more. “Again.”

He waits for an attack. Coal stares back, unmoving. Not until provoked? Fair enough.

This time he skates around Coal, searching for a potential weak spot as he occasionally lashes out. His squire never falters in his defense, yet never even attempts an offense. Annoying.

The same gap from before shows itself. Instincts tell him to let it go, no way will his squire make the same mistake again. Frustration causes him to jilt forward a second time.

Coal’s shield reels in, blocking the stab and sending his sword to an exposed, lifted position. That’s it. A clear opening. He braces for the slash.

It never comes. Instead Coal rushes forward, slamming into him with his shield. He staggers back a few steps, nearly collapsing to the ground.

He gasps as he regains his hooves. “Good, but a hit like that will only stun your opponent. Why not just use your sword and end the fight there?”

Coal shrugs. “Why risk killing a pony when you can knock some sense into them instead?”

Seize him by the shoulders. Tell him what a fool he is.

He can’t. The worst real fight with a pony Coal’s ever had was a drunken sailor some years back. Pretty sure they’d had a good laugh about it afterwards too.

“That’s very noble of you Coal, but promise me something.”

“Yes sir?”

“Don’t hesitate. If somepony needs to die, kill them."

Coal is in clear shock, sapphire eyes falling to the dock below.

A part of him wants to take it back. He keeps silent.

“Every keg!”

“Every keg?”

“Every single damn one of them! Now!”

The last few stallions grumble as they cork up the final barrel of rum. They encircle it, bending their hooves. “Alright ya lads, one... two... three!”

He sighs with relief as they carry it off. There. That’s it. Finally. His eyes dart around the tavern. “Has anyone seen my daughter?”

“Went down to the cabins after a drink with that friend of hers sir,” says a small colt beside him. “Would you like me to fetch her?”

Of all the times. He shakes his head. “No. They’ll be up when their ready. You, get to your parents and stay there. Relay that message to all other fillies and colts you find, understood?”

“Yes sir!”

Giving the tavern one last do-over, he leaves for the main deck. Crew members and family swarm the entire space, screaming to each other. He fights through the crowd and makes his way to the front deck.

Anchor on the wheel, as usual. Coal still sits at the ship’s bow, but joined by another stallion. Posey. He approaches them with caution. Don’t want to interrupt any lessons, especially any by such a learned figure.

“...But how can you be so certain?” Coal asks.

“Because I believe. And I believe because I’m certain. Allow me to say, young master, that when I first set back for Equestria years ago and saw the destruction of Vanhoover, I became disheartened. Where had the love of the land I had cherished for so long disappeared to? Then I stumbled upon something special, something that lit my heart and hope anew.”

“The ponies of Neighfarer’s Port?”

Posey seems to consider the question for a moment, then nods. “Yes, they are a large piece of the puzzle for sure. But only a piece. The entire puzzle is Equestria itself. A masterpiece we will all complete together.” The elderly stallion pauses then smiles. “Ah, we have a visitor. Pipsqueak?”

Damn. Either he wasn’t as lithe as he used to be or Posey used magic to sniff him out. Blame it on the latter. “Sorry for the stealth act, but I didn’t want to interrupt such a nice moment.”

“You only serve to brighten the scene further my friend, as always. Please come join us.”

He sits beside them, sharing their eastward gaze. A thick, blurred line of green, yellow, and white lingers in the distance, shimmering under the sun’s warmth.

“Something’s wrong.”

“And what could you possibly mean by that, Pipsqueak? All is well so far, no?” Posey asks.

He raises his hoof to the sun as both a shield and accusation. “It’s been four hours since the sun popped up and it hasn’t moved since. Should be clear over our heads by now.”

Posey chuckles softly. “My friend, you of all ponies should expect this tumultuous night and day.”

Blunt, yet true. “I know. I guess I had some false hope that twenty years would be enough to set things straight. Then again, I don’t have a fish brain’s of an idea when it comes to magic.”

“And I neither in spite of my age. Truly though, does it matter? We still come home to a loving crowd.”

“Guess I can’t expect everything to be dandy. You’ll accompany me down in the greeting party?”

Posey bows. “Of course Pipsqueak. I have set up this grand arrangement and will see it through.”

“Can I come as well?” Coal asks.

“No. You’ll stay on the boat with Calise. I won’t risk having either of you injured if something happens.”

“Peace, Pipsqueak.” Posey places a reassuring hoof on his back. “Nothing will go wrong, you have my promise. Let your daughter and Coal come to behold their new home.”

He’d already made up his mind days ago. Just him and Posey, maybe a few guards. Then came Posey’s words of reason, Coal’s hope...

“Fine. You’ll stay behind us however and won’t talk unless addressed.”

“Yes sir. Thank you.”

From the corner of his eye he sees Coal give a silent cheer. He’d need to get a leash for him after they landed.

Posey rises and turns. “About an hour from shore, I’d say. Now’s a better time than never.”

Time for what? He motions for Coal to follow as they begin trailing the elder stallion. Posey steps past Anchor and the wheel, stopping at the railings overlooking the lower deck. Throwing his hood back, he raises both hooves above his head. His horn glows a bright green.

“Ponies of the Shadow Lands!” Magic amplifies the voice across the entire ship. Has to be. No way can Posey shout that loud yet still maintain such a soft voice.

Magic or no, every soldier and pirate and family stops, looking up to the emissary. The only sound now is the dull roar of the waves.

“Over twenty years ago, a great war tore Equestria in two. As the chaos grew with no end in sight, a pact of ponies agreed to depart from the shattered shores of their home in search of a temporary peace. Some for their own well-deserved safety. Others for family members, even those yet unborn. And still even others, who came to act as a shield for their brothers and sisters.”

Posey lowers his head, bringing his robe-swathed hooves together. “We did not find peace. Though even as we stumbled upon shadow, we persisted. Up rose our defenses as we sent our first ship back. They never returned. Up rose our barracks and shack houses, made from the cedar of the Shadow Land’s tainted woods. I traveled back to Equestria myself and found only destruction and hate. Finally, just as it seemed Equestria had been wiped from the face of the earth and damned us to our fate, I found a spark of hope.”

The elderly stallion brings his hooves up once again. “Make no mistake, these ponies of Neighfarer’s Port are your family. The love and passion they bestowed upon me will be shared with you, and you will see. You are their light! Their hope! Their promise for a better future! When you trot onto their shore, you will be in no strange land, but home! Work with them, trust in them, so that together, we may build a better future for all of pony kind!”

Cheering erupts as Posey retreats. To his horror, he’s stomping his hooves and whooping right along with them.

Remain cautious. He’s the captain damnit. Don’t fall into the excitement.

He’s managed to settle by the time his friend returns. “Really Posey, I think you’ve made even the most bitter of us into believers.”

“Yet it matters not. The glory that awaits them at shore is far more than I could ever pray to put into words.” Posey’s lips turn up in a warm smile. “I am merely ‘stirring the crowd’, so to speak.”

“Dad!” Calise stomps up the steps, her once brushed mane frazzled and damaged. Sunlight thunders behind her in the same condition. “When the hell are we getting off this hunk of wood? Can’t get a moment of peace without some explosion or rumbling pissing me off!”

“Well, can’t win them all.” Posey chuckles as he shuffles past. “I’ll be awaiting you at the main deck, friend.”

Calise continues a string of curses all the while. Definitely did not inherit his love of the sea.

“Calise.”

She stops but puffs up, offended he had clearly not been listening.

“Would you like to accompany Coal and Posey with me in the greeting group? Sunlight?”

Her anger turns to an elated confusion. “What? What happened to the whole ‘too dangerous’ shit?”

“Posey happened.”

An instant of whispering to Sunlight and they’re both nodding their heads, grinning. “We’ll be there. Gotta have someone down there who can put up a fight, right?”

“No, actually. You’ll be behind me, running back to the boats in case anything goes wrong.”

She laughs. “Like hell!”

His eyes narrow. She attempts to stare back, beginning to squirm after mere seconds.

Her hooves fly into the air. “Alright! Whatever! I’ll be dragging all of you back with me though.”

He watches as his daughter storms off, leaving with the same thundering stomps she had arrived with.

“Coal?”

“Sir?”

"You have my permission to knock her unconscious and drag her back to the boat in case of emergency.”

Coal tries to keep a straight face. A coltish grin manages to breaks through.

“Yes sir.”

It’s alluring he admits. Rich healthy grass covers the gentle slope, the hillside dotted with innocent white thatched-roof cottages. It all flows down to a dainty little port, glimmers from the clear topaz water highlighting the miniature fishing boats and pearl walkways. Still small. Can only hold about two of their ships, three of their more smaller type. Yet beautiful.

The largest building towers upon the very top of the hill, overlooking the rest of the town. Four stories high, with a balcony striking out from the fourth floor. Hopefully that was the town center. If it’s the house of the mayor they have a potentially gigantic prick on their hooves.

Overall attractive. Almost too attractive. Where’s the grit? The green slime of vegetation crawling up the docks? The splintered wood, weathered from the constant crashing of waves during a summer storm? Everything looks smooth and polished. Perfect.

He backs away from the bow and heads for the main deck. Now’s not the time to nitpick. The crew had been sailing for weeks and suffered from exhaustion. Please Posey, be right, as you always were. All will be well.

“Anchor, bring us to port and for Celestia’s sake be careful. You land a scratch on that pretty little dock of theirs and I’ll have you be the sole repairmare.”

She waves him off “Ain’t no need for ta harshness cap’n. I got tis.”

The main deck remains crowded, yet now silent. Every stallion, mare, and foal struggles against each other, trying to get a better view of the port. Posey, Coal, Calise, Sunlight, and two shadow guard soldiers stand in their own isolated section in front of the boarding bridge.

“Are those really necessary?” He asks, pointing to his daughter’s signature dual war glaives strapped across her back.

Calise turns her nose up, pulling the glaives tighter with a twinge of magic. “And you were the one saying it was too dangerous to come in the first place. Make up your mind.”

She has a point. Not to mention Coal has his shield and sword still equipped as well, although nowhere near as daunting as two huge blades.

"Fine. Just don’t go twirling them out at a breath’s notice of trouble. Keep it defensive.”

The warning is lost of course, her only response to shrug and look away. A hopeless cause, but it’s his job as a father to try.

“Prepare ship for port!” Pure instinct has him call out as they near shore. The shout starts a chain reaction of others as crew members relay vital information from bow to stern. Drop the masts. Set the rowers. Ready the anchor. Music to his ears. Each piece falls into place until they begin a steady drift to the docking bay.

Another instrument joins the ensemble, distant yet growing. His mind muffles all other noise as he tries to make sense of it. Sounds like the crashing of waves. Impossible though. Weather is much too clear. It evolves into a roar as he realizes it sources from the shore. To hell with formality. He’s too curious now. Propping both hooves upon the ship’s railing, he leans forward and looks to the port. His curiosity is answered.

It’s cheering. A crowd of ponies, perhaps two-hundred-and-half strong, have gathered beyond the docks. Some cup their hooves around their muzzles, whooping and hollering. Others throw their hooves in the air. He can’t help but balk at the site.

“Do you believe now, Pipsqueak?” Posey asks.

His jaw clenches in reflex. Had to admit, after the gloom and depression of the Shadow Lands, this was a hell of a homecoming. “Not yet. Getting close, however.”

“Then come, let us land and seal this pact.”

They’re drifting into place now, Anchor no doubt trying her best to squeeze into the pathetic bay. He runs over his mental checklist one last time. Rum’s stopped, armory’s on standby lock, rest of the fleet... shit.

“Crow!” He calls over his shoulder. The same familiar pirate pegasus sticks his head out from the nest. On second thought, “Nevermind, just keep an eye out for anything weird, both on land and sea!” His frantic gaze lowers, settling upon a nearby Shadow Guard pegasus. “You.”

The slouched pegasi flails as he comes to a hasty salute. “Oh! Sir?”

“I want you to fly to the other ships and remind them of the warning signal. Tell them also to drop anchor for now until they get word back. When you get to ship fifteen, pass the baton onto another pegasus and return here.”

“Yes sir!” Another salute and the pegasus takes off to the nearest ship.

The cheering dies down to a respective dull roar as Anchor brings them to port. Wait. They’re about to meet with the leader of the town. The same town that will serve as their first hoofstep into Equestria. For the first time in years he wishes he’d groomed himself earlier. That’s a good thing, right?

Out goes the bridge, smacking against the prim dock below. He takes a deep breath, peering over his shoulder. Calise is doing her best ‘beautiful-but-deadly’ routine, chest out, head high. Sunlight looks to be suffering from an anxiety attack, a hoof across her chest as she focuses upon in-and-out breaths. Coal is trying his best to remain calm only to be betrayed by his dancing hooves and quivering smile.

“No funny business you three. Got it?” He glances between them, lingering upon Calise.

“Yes sir.”

“Huh? Oh, sure thing Pips.”

Calise says nothing.

“Alright then. Forward we go.”

One hoof onto the bridge. Then the next. He brings his back legs up, then begins the descent. And it’s now that realization begins to seep in. Now, as more than a hundred eyes watch as he trots down this bridge, a bit of a clumsy ‘still-catching-my-land-legs’ limp in his steps, does it finally begin to weigh upon him. This is it. This is Equestria. Past this port, to the east, Canterlot sat upon a tall mountain, shining like a crystal. Ponyville lurked below, a full city now, but still inhabited by the same loving community. Manehattan on the far shore. The lights of Las Pegasus to the south. The mysteries of the Everfree. Baltimare.

By the goddess. He was home. Can twenty years really fly so fast?

They reach the deck, taking a sharp left to face the crowd, the village, the country. An older unicorn stallion, not quite the age of Posey, steps forward as they draw closer. A homely suit and tie adorn his blue coat. It’s been so long since he’s seen such formal wear. It’s almost alien.

Posey passes them, greeting the other stallion with clasped hooves. “Brother Posey,” he hears the other stallion whisper. They part ways, Posey rejoining them.

The stallion greets them with a smile, a few wrinkles forming under the strain.. “At last you’ve arrived. A month of dwelling only upon Posey’s kind words and lively memories was truly a torture in itself. But...” he sweeps his gaze over them then looks past to the fleet in the distance, his smile widening. “Seeing you all here, now, was worth it indeed. My name is Breeze, the mayor of Neighfarer’s Port.”

Almost as good as Posey with the words. Almost. But now is no time to melt. He maintains his rigid stance. “Your kindness is not lost on us, mayor, but before we go any further, I need your sincerity.” He points a hoof back to the ocean. “I have about six hundred and fifty ponies on these boats. Six hundred and fifty.”

He pauses a moment to let it sink in. Still grinning. He continues, “I know we’ve just met, but understand that I won’t send a single pony a mile out of this city without knowing what the hell is out there. That means that every stallion, every mare, and you bet your flank every foal will need to fit inside this town. Now, I have a good number of tents but we’ll most likely need some of your citizens to take in some ponies, especially the mares that are nursing their—”

“Good captain.” Breeze stops him with a raised hoof. “Pipqsqueak, if Posey is correct?”

He nods.

“Bring all your ponies to shore. Although a number of your soldiers must rest in tents, we have a plenty number of homes ready to welcome in new residents.”

Ready? “How? Why would you build so many extra houses that you wouldn’t even use?”

The mayor turns solemn. “As I’m sure you are aware, good captain, there was a war of great destruction merely a generation ago, and although we are but a small port, many of our friends left and fought within it. Most never returned.”

Shit. There was having the steel of a captain, then there was being a complete asshole. He dips his head to the mayor. “Sorry. I know how you feel, having lost friends and loved ones in the same war. Guess I’m just being a bit guarded.”

“I understand completely, captain. Landing upon the same shores you left in chaos...” Breeze closes his eyes. When he opens them again, his smile returns. “But please, let Neighfarer’s Port be the one place where you may rest at ease. Weak as it may be, there is still yet love and peace within Equestria. Let us share that love and peace with you and your troubled people.”

The mayor lends out his hoof. Love? Peace? Words he might associate between members of the Shadow Exodus, but never a location, never a land, and hooves down never a stranger.

Yet this place and these ponies yearn for kindness. No doubt sick of years of hate.

He looks back to his three younger companions, their whole lives nothing but shadow up until this glorious moment.

Sunlight looks upon the buildings and the landscape, breathless.

Coal’s eyes dart from pony to pony in the crowd before them, his knightly demeanor replaced with a big goofy grin.

Even Calise is relaxed.

He extends his foreleg, shaking hooves with the mayor, smiling back. “Posey, I think you’re the best pony for this. Go tell the ponies aboard the ship the good news. Send the pegasi to spread the word. Tell them to unpack their things. Tell them the search is over. Tell them they’re home.”

“At once, old friend.”

Coal, Calise, Sunlight, and the two shadow guards start up a low, excited murmuring. At the same time, the ponies of Neighfarer’s Port erupt into cheer.

“Come, captain, and your friends too.” The mayor motions for them to follow. “There is much I may teach you while your fleet lands.”

As they start down the pearl dock, Posey’s amplified voice rumbles behind them. Another cheer starts, now from the boat. Not long from now the pegasi would reach the other boats, and the cheer would continue, stretching from the seas to Equestria itself.

Funny. Calise had been right. They landed to a party, in a sort of way. Hell, if he closes his eyes...

Chaos. Pure chaos. Not a single inch of the town remained confetti-free nor a single road floatless. Screaming, hollering, laughing came together to create a cheer that no doubt both Los Pegasus and Manehattan would hear.

“Well well well if it isn’t the sea’s justice himself. What’s such a lover of the ocean doing so far inland, all by his lonesome?”

A pegasus stallion clearly his elder came from behind and sat beside him, his stern posture and features a direct contrast to the color and excitement around him. His coat was a deep shade of blue, his blonde mane combed back, short yet fierce. A full set of facial hair sprouted from his muzzle and neck, yet never seemed to grow any further. An ornate silver arrow donned his flank.

“Funny question. Here’s a better one: why are you here? You’re in the middle of a job right now, no?”

A short burst of laughter starts up between them. They never can stay too serious around each other. Not for long.

The stallion clears his throat, resuming the humor. “Security is top notch and the pink one made herself clear that there would be no guardsponies upon the float. Otherwise that’s where you would find me.” A grin forms as the stallion looks to him. “For security purposes, of course.”

Another cough of laughter. This time however, he has to force himself to join in. A shame considering one-sided jokes were rare between them. But sometimes, that’s how things played out. One pony knew something, the other didn’t.

There’s a lull in the sound, a gap in the floats. He shut off his fake chuckling before the silence exposed him.

The stallion falls quiet as well.

Now both are silent, watching the street corner. A resurgence of noise and color begins as a massive float comes into view.

Despite the insanity around them, both are still silent, staring.

His eyes open. Without warning he stops, his daughter cursing as she bumps into his flank.

“Dad! What the hell was that for?”

Her mumbling that follows is intelligible, his eyes cast downward. The end of the dock was a hoofstep away. A single trot forward and he would truly set hoof on the same land he had left so long ago. In Disarray. In Chaos. Weeping. All hopes shattered but one.

“Dad...?” A small pressure starts on his back. His daughter’s hoof, of course.

Coal looks to him, more worried than he’s ever seen the young stallion before.

A young stallion and a young mare now. Their foalhoods had disappeared into time, swept away by fear and survival.

He blinks, taking in deep, gulping breaths.

They’d never have that same innocence as they tasted their first quintuple scoop from Sugarcube Corner, gawked as they walked the streets of Canterlot, peered up with wonder at the towers of Manehattan.

Don’t cry you son of a bitch. Not now. Of all times not now.

And he’d never have the life he’d dreamt of. With the mare he loved, the daughter he loves, the friends he had....

“I’m fine,” he snaps as he shakes the hoof off. Too aggressive, but it has to be for now. He’ll apologize later.

He leaves the deck, his hooves padding softly against the lush green grass.

Just four steps before he collapses to the ground, weeping. The townsponies gasp and back away. Coal and Calise surround him immediately, holding him.

Several bouts later and he allows himself to fall into their hooves. Their faces are still clear as day through the blur of tears.

They deserve so much more. All the joy they had given to him, and all he could do was spout out bullshit wisdom and teach them how to swing a sword. For him, there was no future. His future had died the moment he left this same shore over twenty years ago. Before that, even.

But for them? Their foalhood may have been stolen away, but the future was still there, laid out before them in the form of a twisted and chaotic land.

So he’d fight for that future, their future.

True, nopony can fight forever. But damn if he couldn’t try.