Dream Sickness

“That’s the Prime Immortal, Eris’s ship. I’d recognize it anywhere!” Warp Runner declared as the three of them scampered down the mountainside back to the Night Shine. “How did they find us so fast!?”

“I thought you said it would take them ages to decode the scroll?” Twilight gasped, wings flared as she leaped into the boat.

The whole thing swayed upon impact, and she muttered a small apology to the magnificent vessel as it creaked and strained against its moorings. Above, the direction spell Luna had conjured still blazed, casting a beaming lance out into the storm, while also making it quite obvious where the three of them were located. All the while, on the island’s far side, the pillar of acrid smoke belched into the sky by the approaching ship turned the sun’s glow a sickly green.

The closer the infernal hulk loomed, the more Twilight could make out the sheer scale of it. Putting even the wicked warships of the Storm King to shame, the thing was easily four times Night Shine’s size. Like the smaller scout ships that had attempted to cut off their escape back in Ironstal, its many mismatched decks and turrets were crafted from crude sheets of rusting metal, painted with a dull green aesthetic. Spines ran the upper edges of each, above the arches of countless cannon ports.

She really didn’t want to consider just how much firepower was carried aloft by the thing’s tattered sails, as those towering above the deck were equaled by those flanking its stern. Given the low roar of its engines as it approached the island, she guessed it was comparable to more than a few dragons’ worth. It hardly helped then, that flying alongside the ship, was at least one red drake, as well as over half a dozen winged hybrids.

“It matters not, are we ready to make way?” called Luna as she darted to the stern of the Night Shine, looking at the oncoming ship through her spyglass. “We are faster with the wind, are we not?”

“Yes, though the storm’s really gonna throw that through a loop,” Warp Runner called as she took up a post at the helm, ordering Twilight to cut the mooring line.

“Aye, aye!” Despite oncoming certain doom, and the fact she was a dragoness, never before had the lavender princess felt like she were literally living out an adventure story with so much dramatic accuracy.

Dashing over, she snagged the rope with her foreclaw, loosing the taut chord with a sharp crack. She barely had time to call that they were free before the ship lurched, swooping away from the shore and out into the open sky. All the while, the dark hull of the Prime Immortal cut a swath through the clouds as it rounded the opposing side of the island.

“Luna, take the helm, I need to feed the engine if we’re going to outpace them!” Warp Runner ordered, letting the wheel free.

Luna blinked, as if she’d never again expected to be the master of her own ship, only to dart for the wheel as it spun free of the bat pony’s grip. Wincing as it caught her forehooves, the ship lurched as the rapidly spinning wheel ceased. Correcting the Night Shine’s momentum, while directing her bow toward the valley cut through the storm by the navigation spell.

“I cannot safeguard the stern and steer at the same time, Runner!” Luna called, as the bat pony shot by and ducked below deck.

“Don’t worry, I got your back,” Twilight assured, swaying only a little as she slinked her way up the steps to stand behind the disguised princess. “If they can’t keep up, it’s only their flyers we have to worry about, right?”

“We can hope,” Luna responded, only for a boom to shatter the dull tranquility of the expanse, right as the clouds to the left of the ship erupted in a flash of cannon fire.

“Or we can already be in cannon range,” Twilight muttered, seeing the weapons mounted on rotating frames, built into what was now very obviously a draconic skull decorating the Prime Immortal’s leering bow.

“I will not allow us to come this far, only to be outmatched by those beasts, hold on!” Luna declared, spinning the wheel to force Night Shine behind the far edge of the island, right below the cliff from which the guidance spell beamed. “The way finder should vanish behind us as we go, that should give us some cover.”

Just as the night princess indicated, the moment they were ahead of the spell, the beam of light above fizzled out behind them. In the same instant, cannons sang again, the cover of the island lost as the Prime Immortal loomed into view on the left.

“It’s a straight shot into the eye of the storm, we can out-pace them,” Luna declared, hunkering down on the wheel as she narrowed her eyes at the wall of clouds.

Is it just me or does she look like she’s enjoying this? Twilight observed, seeing the eager grin on her lover’s silver face. I mean, why not? Are you scared of a little rough flying?

“But Warp Runner said with the wind!” Twilight called, her mane buffering in the gale as if to be some mockery of Luna’s own ethereal splendor. “The closer to the storm we get… We’ll be against it.”

“Night Shine’s engines will hold true!” Luna assured, patting the ship’s wheel like a beloved pet. “Coupled with her sails, we can…”

As if sensing her certainty, more cannon fire sang, the whiz of projectiles surging overhead forcing the pair to duck, before with an almighty crack, one shot tore the mast asunder. Night Shine’s shields flared, yet stood no chance against the sheer force of a direct hit, faltering as splintering shrapnel blasted outward in all directions. Luna screamed, eyes wide in horror as without thought, the dragoness threw herself over the stunned mare, saving her from the sharp wooden flurry. The splinters were no harpoons, glancing harmlessly from Twilight’s hard scales as she winced, peering down at the stunned princess under her.

“M–my ship, how dare they!” hissed the disguised alicorn, proving she wasn’t only okay, but now very angry.

Not that Twilight had the time to ask, staggering back as the mast fell, crushing the steps to the left of the wheel. Luna surged back to the helm, stabilizing the Night Shine before the ship could veer into any of the sharp rocks dotting the edge of the storm.

“Those engines are still good, right?” Twilight gasped, yet before Luna could reason, shadows darted overhead, the telltale beating of feathery wings accompanying them. “Never mind, just focus on steering, I got you!”

Okay, dragon thoughts, if you want me to be a dragon, now’s the time to teach me how! She thought, reluctantly giving in to herself as the brooding dragon in her head roared in delight. It’s about time!

Fangs bared, she sneered an ember-spitting snarl at the first griffin, right as the avian hybrid swooped in with a harpoon launcher. The ship reeled as she drew back, unleashing the breath of fire that had been swelling in her throat. The griffin swerved, darting low under the flames. Bolt loaded, he drew up to fire, yet after observing Razorback’s usage of his tail in combat, Twilight whirled. Claws planted firmly on the deck, she kicked out, momentum carried along the scaly length of her spine, and to the tip of her tail. Like a whip, it struck out, sending the griffin careening away into the cloudy soup.

His weapon thudded to the deck with a heavy clunk, bounding away from the dragoness’s claws as she noticed that the clouds around them were becoming far less calm. Like the rolling waves of a great ocean, the smooth white sheet was starting to swell, broad arches of cloud rearing upwards, mist trailing from their peaks like the dazzling manes of galloping stallions. It would have been pretty, if not for the flashes of lightning that illuminated the sky overhead, as the almighty tempest began to arch over them.

“What in the night’s name did you do!?” Warp Runner called as she materialized from below, only to duck under a harpoon the second she peeked her head out. “Hey, watch where you aim that!”

The pegasus stallion with griffin claws who’d fired the thing didn’t appear willing to take such orders as he reloaded, while Twilight had to dodge another of the sharp projectiles fired her way.

“We are down a main mast!” Luna called, heaving the wheel left to avoid another set of rocks, only for the ship’s starboard flank to graze the jagged edge with a sharp crunch. “Gah, curse the sky’s name!”

Night Shine’s shields flared, while above, several of their assailants swooped down to avoid the wind rapidly starting to buffer the conflict. One landed within hoofs reach of Warp Runner, learning just how much of a specialist in hoof-to-hoof combat the bat pony was, while another swerved in low at Luna. The hybrid was met with a wall of purple scales as Twilight batted her away from the princess, while the ship lurched right, tossing the dragoness off her paws as she yelped in alarm.

Overhead, the swelling storm grew, darkness enveloping the ship on all sides, leaving only the flashes of lightning and the beam of blue light guiding them onward. Behind them, the vast maw of the storm tunnel loomed tall, and filling its berth like a ghastly mountain was the dark shape of the pursuing syndicate ship. Countless more flyers flitted about the ramshackle behemoth, while the clank of cannons loading within the forward-facing turrets of the skull-adorned bow, were Twilight’s only warning to duck.

She did so right as the larger vessel opened fire once more, scattering the flyers harassing the Night Shine’s stern. She was almost glad for the small moment of reprieve, at least until the rear of Luna’s ship exploded. Tossed muzzle first into the deck, she barely made out the blast of green flame as it surged upward from below the helm, hearing the shrill roar of the wounded engines as she peeled herself from the wood. She cared for none of it, her attention was fixed on Luna as the disguised mare was thrown from the wheel, spinning head over hooves toward the broken mast.

“No, Luna!” Twilight flared her wing, feeling the impact of the silver mare against her aching membrane as she winced, and the pair were flung over the broken timber.

“Urg… My head,” Luna groaned, rubbing under her horn as she sat up, only for her eyes to pop wide at the smoldering sight of the helm. “No, those cursed fools!”

“A–are you alright?” Twilight asked, drawing her lover’s attention as she lifted her head groggily from the rubble.

Luna opened her muzzle to seemingly respond, only to suddenly lower her horn and send a lance of cyan magic over the dragoness’s head. Glancing back, Twilight hadn’t even noticed the griffin that had been swooping in to shoot her, muttering a flustered thanks.

“I assure you the feeling is mutual, dear Twilight,” Luna responded, looking back to the desolated stern of the Night Shine as her ears folded. “But with no propulsion, we are dead in the storm!”

True to that, the ship began to shudder, and if not for the open tunnel Luna’s spell had bore into the maelstrom, Twilight was sure the Night Shine would have been ripped apart. Is that before or after the syndicate rips us apart first?

The latter appeared to be a far more pressing reality as the larger ship began to close the distance behind them. Up close, it was apparent just how large the Prime Immortal was, appearing to have been scavenged from a great many smaller ships, all crudely fused together. The sheer number of rabblesome crew mates grew far beyond just the griffins that had flown ahead to harass the Night Shine. From zebras, to dogs, to even what looked like a barrel-bound sea pony, there were countless creatures cheering on the chase.

If she’d still had her magic, a simple shield spell may have come in very handy. Yet looking at Luna, it appeared the princess had other ideas.

“You have a plan, right?” Twilight asked, peering ahead to where the tunnel was starting to narrow.

There’s no way both ships are going to fit down there side by side. She thought, ducking under another volley of harpoon fire as a griffin was kicked across the deck at her forepaws.

“Seriously, I go below deck for five seconds…” Warp Runner chastised as she hopped over and bucked the prone griffin in the face.

Not to be one-upped, the syndicate ship roared, and the cannons on its flanks rolled aside to reveal a large array of barbed weapons. Twilight made them out roughly a second after her companions, as both Luna and Warp Runner ducked.

“Twilight, down!” called the night princess as the dragoness felt magic wrap around her horns, dragging her to the deck as the new weapons sang.

The ship-sized harpoon tore the Night Shine’s port flank asunder, impaling the smaller vessel like a fish caught on a line. A hulking chain attached to the projectile pulled taught with a great, rusty clang, tethering the two skyships together.

“My ship!” both Luna and Warp Runner exclaimed in perfect unison as they lifted their heads from the carnage.

Twilight’s focus, meanwhile, went from the chain, to the rapidly narrowing passage ahead. Specifically, the sharp rocks that loomed in the way. She narrowed her eyes, the smaller princess in her head scribbling out the math as her dragon side watched on in bored disinterest.

“Hey, can we break ourselves away with those rocks? It’s going to be too narrow for them to follow if we can just get ahead!” she suggested, nodding to the jagged cliffs in question.

“Stars and scales, talk about bold!” Warp Runner muttered as Luna pressed a forehoof to her chin.

“Can we still over boost the emergency engines with charge from the sails? Even if the main thrusters are ruined, it could give us the acceleration we need,” she reasoned, as they were heaved almost close enough to the larger ship to be in boarding range.

“Maybe, but that chain won’t break, we’ll be tossed right into the side of the Immortal!” exclaimed the bat pony, only for a look of realization to dawn on her face, as she and Luna both said in perfect synchrony.

“Enough for us to ram her!”

And she calls me bold!? Twilight thought as the two leaped into action, the exact same moment there was a chorus of eager yells from the neighboring ship, ropes pulled taut as syndicate goons jumped the gap.

“Twilight, guard my rear. I will see this plan to its completion!” Overlooking the rather casual way Luna gestured to her rump, Twilight nodded, swatting aside a pair of sword-brandishing earth ponies that thudded to the deck.

Her draconic side roared in triumph, more so as she slashed her claws at a griffin that dared swoop too close. The little princess in her head winced at every possible casualty, while her reptile brain made sure she knew that her attackers had started it, and that they’d regret doing so. She lost sight of Warp Runner as the mare ghosted into the ship’s lower decks, while Luna battled her way to the bow of The Night Shine.

I can do this, I’m a dragon. I don’t need magic, I’m three times their size and can breathe fire! Panting on cinders, she reassured herself over and over, right up until the moment she once again met her match. Oh, come on!

“Don’t see any boats to drop on me this time, little wyrm!” sneered Razorback as he swooped in to tackle the lavender dragoness, only to thud into the deck as Twilight rolled.

“Lucky for me, I’m not going to need one,” she snarled, back arched and spines flared as she growled. “I’m a fast learner!”

The other dragon shook off her threat, little care for the scarred ponies he swatted aside as he charged across the deck at her. Unlike the last time, she wasn’t about to back down, not planning to allow him a clean shot at Luna. Rearing up, she flared her wings, catching his charge as she brought her full weight down atop him. The change in tactic appeared to shock the dragon just enough for her to dodge his foreclaws, her far more slender form slipping out of his grip as she scrambled over him and kicked out.

“Impressive, your little pony friends been teaching you tricks?” he mocked, scrambling to a stop before he could impact the broken mast, while Twilight came to land between him and Luna by the stern.

The disguised princess was caught between battling to keep the pirates off her back and casting her fire spell on Night Shine’s bow. While below, she could only hope Warp Runner had time to get the engines in order.

“No, picked that one up all by myself,” Twilight countered, earning a grizzled laugh from the dragon, as he nodded her way.

“Then try this one out.” At his direction, several pintle-mounted turrets on the deck of the opposing ship took aim, cackling crew ponies igniting fuses right as Twilight noticed them.

Hopping aside, the first cannon fired, one of the vicious lead nets scattering across the deck where she’d stood as a second was loosed. She barely had time to avoid the first, rolling aside to ensure the second projectile wrapped around her foreclaw, rather than her muzzle. Not to be outdone by his companions, Razorback barrelled into her before she could stand, the squat rail of the Night Shine cracking under the impact as lightning flared in the abyss beyond.

“You’re confident, I like that in a dragoness,” mused the larger drake as he pressed a foreclaw into her shoulder. “Almost makes me not want to pluck off your scales… Perhaps maybe even make you mine!”

Twilight snarled at the devious grin plastering his scarred face, moments before a hard kick to the cheek smacked the expression right off.

“Silence thy words, fiend!” Luna roared as her hind hoof connected with his face. “For thy princess is spoken for!”

The second the weight of his claws was off her, Twilight leaped upward, tossing the loose net wrapped around her foreclaw over his muzzle. The dragon scrambled to heave it off, but with all her draconic strength, Twilight pulled back, then shoved him down into the deck as she loomed over him. Through it all, however, she could only ever think about the rather baffled way Luna was peering at her.

What, am I all that strength and power you hoped I was, Luna? She was unsure whether the confidence was summoned by her draconic half, but she grinned at the stunned mare, nonetheless. Just wait until I show you some real magic!

“W–where is Warp Runner?” stammered the alicorn, regaining her composure as she blasted away a zebra with a bolt of magic.

“Here, engines are good to go, just need a spark!” called the bat pony, her dark form shadow flashing from below with a kick. “Just say the word and…”

“Silver mask!” Twilight’s ears perked, as did the attention of every creature around her as the new voice sounded. Deep and feminine, there was a roughness to it only matched by the ragged hull of the Prime Immortal.

Under her, Razorback shuddered, his struggling slowing as he did his best to chance a glance up to the larger ship’s deck. Even Luna appeared baffled as the battle lulled, Warp Runner on the other hoof, was glowering as the deep thud of hooves on wood thundered. Finally daring to look to where all eyes had suddenly become redirected, Twilight saw just what they were all staring at.

She’d only ever seen a centaur once, that day had been branded into her mind ever since. Yet far from the muscular powerhouse Lord Tirek had been, this humanoid beast bearing the lower end of a pony was far more slim and lithe. A testament to just how far she was from Equestria, the monster’s silvery figure was scarred, under the blades of rough armor that adorned her flanks.

Tail black as midnight, and cloven hooves studded with gold, the skin of her upper half was a pale blue. A wrap of cloth masked her bust, while silver pauldrons broadened her shoulders out into a wide arch. Her head appeared relatively small by comparison, wicked black mane flowing down her back while two sheared horns loomed over her dazzling red eyes. Her hooves thundered on the deck with a series of echoing thuds, clawed hands tapping on her ship’s rail impatiently as she leered down at the Night Shine with a fanged smirk.

“Or should I say…” She clicked her fingers, stubby horns flashing red, and in an instant, Luna was very much her real self. “Princess Luna.”

“Eris,” Warp Runner growled through gritted fangs, as the very baffled Luna, looked herself over, ruffled her wings, then glared daggers at the syndicate leader.

“Well, well, well, this is a surprising revelation!” Arms stretched wide, Eris’s crew cheered around her, a battered-looking Gracie cackling at her side. “After all this time it was the princess of the night herself. How about we thank her for the moon, every creature!”

As if the storm around them had stilled, all thoughts of a dashing escape were forgotten. Twilight only watched as Luna stepped forward to address the leading hybrid.

“I take it that you are the one known as Eris?” began the dark alicorn, the jeering crew stilling at the conversation. “I should warn you that I have dealt with your kind before.”

“I expect you mean that muscle head Tirek, all brawn no brains– hard to believe he’s royalty,” mocked the centaur, making a yapping gesture with her hand. “I think you’ll find that the rest of us few centaurs left, prefer a less direct role… And not to be defeated by pretty little ponies.”

I’d like to see her say that when he’s trying to throw a mountain at her. Twilight thought, pressing her claws down on Razorback, even as she watched the passage grow tighter and tighter. We can’t just stay here chatting, somepony has got to make a move.

“I invite you to come down here and say that to my face,” Luna warned, a muffled wave of mutters running through the crew as Eris scoffed.

“Oh, don’t tempt me, Moony,” she cooed, winking at the dark mare. “But as I said, I’m more interested in where you’re going than taking revenge for all the trouble you’ve caused the syndicate over the years.”

“Not your syndicate,” Luna countered, while Twilight caught her glance to the open lower decks. “I am well aware it was not you the Silver Mask slighted all those centuries ago.”

How long do centaurs even live? Twilight wondered, certain that the myth of the Silver Mask had been around since before Nightmare Moon. Then again, if Eris has any powers like Tirek, she’d have surely just drained our magic by now. So I doubt she’s immortal.

“Times change, leaders come and go. Meaning that I’m the strongest so far,” Eris responded, a series of cheers echoing through the crowd as the monster casually inspected her claws. “And I’ll have you know I’m very interested in this.”

She held out the dream scroll in her opposite claw, letting the parchment flail in the wind for all to see. Luna’s eyes narrowed, while the centaur shot her a smug, sideways glance.

“I’m not a betting mare, but I suspect this is the only reason you came back.” Her look hardened as she shifted her focus to Warp Runner. “To get this, from that little pest.”

“Just a little pest? Eris, you wound me,” cooed the bat pony, as she subtly sidestepped a cable into the lower decks. “I would at least consider myself a… Medium pest at best.”

“I don’t care what you are, all I want from you is what you owe!” spat the centaur, while at her side Gracie huffed.

“You can start by letting me go a few rounds with her.” The bat pony winked at the draco-griff, yet before the angry hybrid could shout anything more, Eris pressed.

“Of course, I think this is worth just as much.” She waved the scroll vigorously. “I know it’s a spell, some kind of map judging by that light show up there.” She nodded to the beam of light leading into the clouds above, all eyes cast upward for a split second as Luna nodded to Warp Runner.

All the while, the best Twilight could do was keep Razorback pinned as the buffering storm began to force the two ships closer together. Rocks thudded and buckled against the hull, and it was becoming increasingly obvious that if they didn’t act soon, the larger bulk of the Immortal would smash Night Shine to bits in the narrow breach.

“Luna… You have a plan, right?” No more than a whisper through gritted fangs, Twilight awkwardly glanced her lover’s way, the rocks growing closer by the second.

“Tell me what it is, let me take whatever treasure you’ve come so far to recover, and I may consider all of this…” Eris gestured to the devastation around her. “Forgotten, including her record.”

She jabbed a claw at Warp Runner and the thestral’s head perked sharply. Now practically peering into the galley, the mare was frozen solid. She only shifted to glance at Luna, while the alicorn’s eyes did the same.

She could save her, all she has to give up is the map. Just like the thestral had made clear, exactly how far would Luna go to safeguard those she treasured most at the cost of others? Don’t listen to her, Luna!

She wanted to call out, demand the nightly mare stick to her resolve. But seeing the rush of emotion on Luna’s face, the words caught in her throat.

“Come now, we don’t have all day,” Eris beckoned, nodding for a few of the rope lines tethering the vessels together to be cut free as the stormy maw grew closer. “I’ll count to three… One… Two…”

Warp Runner shook her head, the motion barely visible in the chaos, before she flashed into the galley. Everything transpired so fast, the little princess in Twilight’s head was floor by taking it all in.

“Nigh, such power would only destroy thee!” Luna called, horn flaring to life, summoning the fiery moon at Night Shine’s bow as below, a green flash lit up the galley.

In the same instant, the chains finally struck the rocks, pulling taut between the two vessels as the length heaved the smaller and lighter Night Shine around into the flank of the far larger syndicate ship. Only as she saw the blazing ram suddenly curve ninety degrees, did Eris appear to grasp Luna’s plan, crimson eyes flared wide as she called.

“Port to starboard, now!” There was no time for the monstrous ship to move, and the centaur was tossed back with her entire crew as the burning ram impacted the Immortal’s side.

Twilight was tossed horns over tail, Razorback abandoned to slip down the tilting deck as the storm drew the Night Shine along the broadside of the Immortal like a searing blade through butter. Cannons came tumbling free as the larger ship’s crude metal frame was ripped asunder. Any creature with wings took to the sky to avoid the shaking devastation as Twilight tumbled toward the smoldering rear of the ship.

“Luna!” Flaring her wings, wincing at the sharp pain in her shoulders, the dragoness’s eyes fixed upon the dark alicorn, magically diverting any splintering rubble that was tossed her way as the two ships began to plummet into the gnawing maw of the storm.

“Twilight!” called the night princess, glancing around, before the two’s eyes finally met amidst the chaos.

For a small moment, it was as if the world had stilled around her, naught but the deep tranquility of Luna’s dark eyes filling her reality as wood and metal alike were torn asunder all about her. Despite the devastation, part of her wished the picture could last forever, blazing glory beset by the dazzling beauty of a divine mare. A monstrous squeal of metal broke the tranquil illusion as the blazing ram was drawn right back to the Immortal’s engines, disproving the vast ship’s bold namesake in a blazing green explosion of balefire fuel.

Shadow aglow in the emerald immolation, Twilight dove at her umbral lover, wrapping her within her fireproof scales before the alicorn could erect a shield. She proved enough of a dragon for the fire to harmlessly wash over her, feeling the sizzle of her scales as they glowed red hot. Of course, it was hard for her to think of anything when she looked down between her forelegs to see Luna peering up at her, wide-eyed and blushing.

“Sorry, I just didn’t think you’d get your shield up in time!” Twilight exclaimed, yet any moment of romantic tenderness was shattered as Luna called.

“No, look out!” One glance to where she’d indicated, and the dragoness watched the entire length of the Night Shine rip upward, dragged into the hungry storm like a mere toy under the weight of the Immortal’s bulk.

There was nowhere she could go, nowhere to move. Nought but the storm on all sides, and the looming wall of blazing timber above. She thought of home, of her friends, all things she may not have the chance to return to, but most of all she thought of the mare wrapped in her scaly limbs. The mare she was about to fail!

So lost was she in the face of utter doom, that she failed to notice the flash of leathery wings, nor the dark shadow that darted between the raining devastation to meet her. Warp Runner lived up to her name far more valiantly than the Immortal, weaving through the gauntlet of fire and reaching out for the two princesses with her forehooves.

“Don’t worry, I got you!” The world suddenly went cold and lucid, and a vale of magic pulled over Twilight’s eyes as she peered up at the plummeting wall of devastation, phasing straight through it, before tumbling into the abyss in the company of her exhausted companions.