Dota 2

“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.