A Balance of Fire and Light

“Did you have a good talk with Seto?” James asked as Twilight joined the rest of the group training outside.

“Huh? … Oh, yeah.” Twilight absently commented.

“You've been talking to her a lot lately, is it all political stuff?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Yes.” Twilight said with a nod, “She tells me about things that could be useful now that we're traveling between worlds. She's teaching me so much more than I learned while preparing to take over for Princess Celestia. At least, I think she's trying to teach me. I'm pretty sure she wants me to come to my own answers for each situation we've talked about.”

“Ooh, like with the Yaks!” Pinkie excitedly said, drawing a wince from Twilight.

“I think I'm going to need some time to think about our talk.” Twilight finished.

“Fair enough.” James said with a nod. “Well, hopefully training won't tax you too much.”

Twilight chuckled. “Honestly, I think actually doing something will be a nice change.”

As Twilight spoke, Starlight pushed a stone block larger than James towards the group where Pinkie eagerly rushed up to take her place and push it the opposite direction.

“I'm glad I'm not expected to learn all that stuff.” Rainbow Dash said with a grin as she braced herself to carry the block.

Pinkie giggled as she pushed the block along the ground with her head. “This is just like being back the rock farm!”

“I guess it is a bit strange, since technically you'll have to deal with this stuff more than me.” Twilight reasoned.

“Yeah, but it's not my job to understand.” Rainbow Dash said, stretching briefly before turning to Pinkie. “Alright Pinkie, toss it!”

With a salute, Pinkie pushed her head beneath the large stone, lifting the edge as she walked forward until she was completely beneath it. She giggled briefly before bouncing and launching the stone where Rainbow Dash rushed up to meet it midair.

Rainbow Dash adjusted herself, pressing her back against the stone with her wings out. The size of the stone made it impossible for her to fly and she was just able to twist herself against it to get between it and the ground.

With a loud thump she hit the ground, stone still on her back.

With some effort Rainbow Dash straightened her legs and smiled as she marched the stone across the yard towards the tree they had agreed would be the halfway mark.

“Ready Twilight?” Rainbow Dash called as she trotted back to the group.”

“Not if you're going to throw it like that.” Twilight said, exasperated.

“Don't worry. I know not everypony is as awesome as I am.” Rainbow Dash said proudly.

“I'd say there's no need to show of, but …” James commented as Rainbow Dash got close.

“Of course there is!” Rainbow Dash excitedly said, “These augmentations are totally awesome!” Once she was close she knelt briefly before hopping and tossing the large stone to Twilight.

“Rainbow Dash!” Twilight shouted, shocked as she reflexively used her magic to catch the stone block.

“Come on, you would have been fine.” Rainbow Dash insisted.

“The point is that I wasn't ready.” Twilight chastised, “You could have really hurt me!”

“Oh … Sorry about that.”

“Actually, it likely wouldn't have hurt you.” James commented, idly.

Twilight placed the stone on the ground and stood behind it, ready to push it like Starlight and Pinkie had.

“I'm glad we're done training to hold back.” Rainbow Dash said with a smile.

“Mostly,” James commented , “I had Big Mac pick out a tree from Sweet Apple Acres that's being delivered. I want to make sure everyone's practiced enough that helping Applejack harvest won't destroy the orchard.”

“You got a hold of Big Mac?” Applejack asked.

“With a letter, but yeah. He said he'll find a good one to use. Also …” James paused briefly as he thought. “You know what, I'll just let you read the letter after we're done with this.”

James then turned to Rainbow Dash. “And while she's reading that we can talk.”

Rainbow Dash shifted uncomfortably as she looked to James. “Do we have to, I mean, we're around each other all the time here it's not like there's anything we don't already know about.”

“It feels like you're avoiding me.” James quietly said. “The last two date nights I planned, you've completely avoided.” James stared at Rainbow Dash a while longer, “If there's something wrong, please just tell me.”

“Okay Fluttershy, your turn.” Twilight casually said as she returned to the group.

“I …” Rainbow Dash hesitantly said, “It's still a little weird for me.”

“Kind of like your hooficures.” James playfully teased.

“Not so loud!” Rainbow Dash whispered harshly, Quickly covering James' mouth with her hoof. After looking around to make sure nobody was looking she turned back to James. “This is one of the few situations where Twilighting about something actually feels like the right way to handle it.”

“Okay.” James said with a nod, “But remember when you joined the Wonderbolts. You mentioned that everything went a lot easier when you stopped trying.”

“I know, I know.” Rainbow Dash answered, “I just need to figure something out.”

James nodded, “You usually focus better when you fly. Do you think that will help?”

Rainbow Dash sighed and nodded.

“Okay, do what you need to do.” James quietly said.

Without any more prompting, Rainbow Dash shot into the sky, flying high towards the beach.

“Wait!” Pinkie shouted, “Where are you going?”

“She just needs to think about something.” James answered calmly.

“Is everything alright?” Starlight asked.

“Some days it feels like everything's great, others … I don't know.” James answered.

“Maybe I can go talk to her?” Twilight suggested.

“You can if you want. I don't know if she wants to be alone, or just spend some time away from me.”

***

“Anything new?” asked a bored looking woman lounging on a raised chair overlooking the dark deck of her ship.

“Trouble in paradise.” A pirate said, sounding just as bored as his captain. “One of the girls just flew off.”

“I wish we could hear what's going on, I bet it's a real soap opera in there.” The captain commented.

“At least it would be more entertaining than watching like this.” Another pirate complained.

“There goes another one.” The first pirate commented.

“You think Shakes would be up to writing a script to go with this?” The captain joked, “I but he could come up with something good from all this.”

“Something bawdy at least.” Another pirate cut in.

“I'm good with either.” the captain said with a laugh.

“Why don't we just grab this guy?”

The captain stared blankly at her subordinate, “Seriously?” She shook her head before speaking again. “That house belongs to the Kuramitsu family, we get anywhere near the place and the GP will be crawling all over us.”

“He's got to go out sometime.”

“I agree, but we can't underestimate him either. He's one of the few pirates who had the guts to try raiding Jurai.”

“How many ships did he lead there?”

“Just one.” The captain answered with a smirk. “He never stood a chance. But here he is and not rotting in a cell. Clearly he's got something going for him.”

“And that's what we're after?”

The captain once again stared blankly at her subordinate. “Are you stupid? We're after money! He's in charge of an exotic goods trading empire. Meaning he's filthy rich and the commander's betting he's got people who will pay top dollar for his return.”

“If we're not going to get near the house, and we're not going after him when he's out, what the hell's the plan?”

As the pirate finished asking their question, an image of another pirate appeared before the captain. “Ma'am, the commander wants to talk to you in private.”

With only a nod as acknoledgement, the captain vanished from the bridge.

“This guy really tried to attack Jurai?” A pirate asked, scoffing at the notion.

“He wouldn't be the first.” Another answered.

“Guess he thought he could measure up to Ryoko.” The first laughed as he kicked his feet up on his console.

“You gotta think,” came the low, measured voice of the captain's body gueard from where the captain herself sat earlier. “He raided Jurai and is walking free right now. I'd wager the commander thinks he succeeded and right now has something on the royal family.”

“Maybe he didn't get far and they only got him for what he did.” The first offered. “His crew all left him after that raid, and if it had worked there's no way they wouldn't stick around.”

“That wouldn't explain Jurai sending a Tree Ship for him to use.” The bodyguard commented before shaking his head and staring intently at the screen that displayed the home that James and the ponies were now staying in. “No, he got away with something that makes him powerful. And the commander's going to get us in on it.”

“Sounds nice for the guild, but it's not going to do us any good.” Another pirate commented.

“You think the Commander's just going to let the crew that brought this haul in just languish?” The bodyguard asked with a smirk. “No, boys, we're moving up.”

“If we're the ones the Commander gives the okay to get him.” The first pirate complained.

The body guard shot the man a cold stare, and as he was about to speak the captain appeared among the group.

She looked around, evaluating each crew member, and with a smile she turned to the screen, watching as James walked out the door towards the street. “It's time boys!”

***

Twilight and Rainbow Dash glided towards the house, only noticing all the activity as they got closer.

The house had several people walking around, easily identified as GP by their uniforms. From their vantage they could see Applejack talking to one as Fluttershy paced around the yard. Though they were unable to see any of their other friends yet.

“I don't have a good feeling about this.” Twilight said as they got closer.

The two looked to each other only briefly before rushing down to find out what's going on.

“Thank goodness you're back.” Fluttershy said as she rushed over to the two.

“What's happened?” Rainbow Dash asked urgently, looking around at the GP officers as they examined the area.

“James was abducted.” Airi said evenly, stepping out of the house.

Rainbow Dash's jaw fell, not believing what she had just heard. “He's been what?!”

“I'm more surprised they dared to abduct him from the academy.” Airi commented casually, “It's really a slap in the face.”

“When did this happen?” Twilight asked, still wrapping her mind around the news.

“About two hours ago. I'm guessing you two were out of reach.” Airi said, crossing her arms and staring down at the two.

“I left my omnitool here. I'd just finished talking to Lady Seto.” Twilight quietly said.

“I just forgot mine.” Rainbow Dash answered after Twilight.

“You two should really consider more convenient tech.” Airi commented as she shook her head. With a gesture a translucent screen appeared and Airi poked at several windows on the screen. Within moments the bust of Mikami appeared as the screen vanished.

“Any news Airi?” Mikami asked.

“Yes, the missing two just got back.”

“So James was the only target.” Mikami commented, nodding as she considered that, “I'll be there shortly.” As she finished speaking, her image vanished.

“Who took James?” Rainbow Dash demanded, flying up to look Airi in the eye.

“Kage Guild pirates.” Airi answered easily. “It's not too surprising, really. They've been growing in power recently and James does have access to potentially untold wealth.”

“What?” Rainbow Dash gasped.

“You didn't realize …” Airi started to say before Rainbow Dash cut her off.

“Why would pirates do that? Can't they just go find some treasure?”

Airi cocked her eyebrow at Rainbow Dash, remembering what James had told her about the pony's view of pirates. “Do you know where that “treasure” comes from, Rainbow Dash? From other people. They steal their wealth from the rightful owners to sell to the highest bidder. And that's assuming they don't just keep it for themselves.”

Rainbow Dash slowly landed and looked down.

Airi crouched and placed her hand on Rainbow Dash's shoulder, “I'm sorry to break it to you like that. I know James didn't …”

“Pirates here suck.” Rainbow Dash commented.

“My sentiments exactly.” A calm familiar voice suddenly said with an oddly cheerful tone, “that's why we're doing what we can to break up the pirate guilds.” Mikami said with a grin.

“Mikami,” Twilight said, relieved, as she walked up to the older smiling woman, “is there anything we can do to help? I don't really know what to do about these things.”

“I don't believe there's really anything to worry about.” Mikami said with a smile. “We already know that he was taken by the Kage Guild and he's an important hostage for them. They'll treat him well.”

“They will?”

“Yes, if he's too upset they're more likely to receive a joint rescue mission rather than a ransom.” Mikami explained.

“So what's the plan?”

“Duh, we're going after them!” Rainbow Dash announced.

“It's not that easy.” Mikami patiently said. “Like I said before, James is in no danger, possibly even being treated quite well. Which gives us all the time we need to secure his release.”

“Well, we have something of a plan already.” Airi said with a shrug.

“It's better than nothing. Let's get going!”

“Rainbow Dash.” Airi said firmly, “I appreciate wanting to chase them down, but crude tactics lead to serious injuries.”

“Besides,” Mikami cut in, “Seina's ship needs repairs before he can be deployed again.”

“How long will that take?”

“At least a week.” Mikami answered, sounding disappointed.

“A week!”

“His bad luck really is a double edged sword.” Airi commented with a resigned sigh.

“We can't just wait around for a week! We have to do something!”

“Rainbow Dash,” Twilight calmly said, “They're already doing what they can. I'm sure that James will be alright.”

“We'll make contact with the guild shortly, and I'm sure they'll let you talk to James yourself.” Mikami explained, “And we'll also get their demands so we can evaluate our best course.”

“The last time James had to deal with kidnappers …” Twilight began, not sure just how to proceed as she recalled Applejack's abduction, and James' brutal method of rescue.

James had literally tore through the hull of a space ship to get her back. And, had it not been for Twilight and her friends, he likely would have killed the one responsible for her abduction.

“He's not the kind to negotiate with kidnappers.” Airi commented with a nod.

“That's putting it mildly.” Rainbow Dash said, as aware of James's penchant as Twilight was.

***

James silently grumbled to himself, unable to move enough even to scratch an annoying itch that had developed on his shoulder.

Just as frustrating was that the kinetic gel that held him was opaque at best and he could only hear muffled voices through it.

He reasoned to himself that he couldn't allow himself to act irrationally. The smartest tactic for the pirates to use would be to immediately fly into space once he was onboard and jump into hyperspace. Taking a moment to focus he attempted to learn anything he could about his situation. Unfortunately the kinetic gel kept him from feeling even slight vibration, robbing him of the last of his senses that could tell him anything useful.

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, slowly exhaling, timing himself to keep a steady rhythm. Slowly he flexed his fingers, feeling the gel stiffly move around them as he gradually made a fist.

He grinned, at least some motion was possible. His grin faded, though, as an errant twitch solidified the gel, stopping his hand completely.

With another breath, his fingers began moving once more. He began to count as he made the motion, careful to not cause the gel to harden again. As far as he could tell, it took nearly a minute to close his hand.

Unconsciously, James attempted to nod, solidifying the gel around his head briefly. With a low growl, he began flexing, twitching his arms to intentionally solidify the gel around them as he began pushing against it. He could feel no change as he put more and more of his strength into the pressure against the gel. He simply had to trust that he was accomplishing something.

It wasn't long into his effort when electricity jolted through his system, the gel keeping his mouth from opening as he reflexively tried to scream. Forcing his eyes open, he saw the light outside the gel flashing a different color.

Soon the ringing in his ears began to fade and the faint klaxons of an alarm barely managed to reach him.

He took a moment to consider what all of this told him. First, it was obvious he was in some kind of high security containment. And second, he assumed that the commotion meant that he was aboard some sort of ship that he had potentially just damaged.

Then again, it could just be that he was trying to escape that caused the commotion, he just didn't have enough information.

The question of jumping to hyper space once again came to mind as he considered what he could do. Had they jumped, or were actively jumping, they would already be too far from any ship James controlled that could provide him remote protection. And even with all of his modifications he couldn't survive unassisted in open space.

James looked as best he could through the opaque gel and only saw blobs of indeterminate shape. The klaxons had stopped, and once again James could hear effectively nothing.

At the edges of his mind he could feel his past encroaching on him. Memories slowly eating away at his composure.

James closed his eyes and took a deep breath, his heart beating faster as a hint of smoke caught his nose.

It's an illusion. James reminded himself, though it didn't help.

He focused on his heart, willed it to beat slower, and after what felt like minutes, it began to.

In this time, other sensations began to eat away at his thinking, the encompassing silence, the taste of dust in his mouth, and faces just out of his field of view.

Consciously he fought to bring another memory to the front of his mind: A dry planet, thin air, gargantuan statues, and eventually a former teacher.

A tall man in long, hooded white robes stood before James, looking down at him. Slowly he rose his arms, pulling his hood back to reveal his simply cut dark hair, sharp features, and pointed ears. He smelled the air briefly, looking back and forth.

“There is nothing burning near,” the Vulcan calmly stated. “It is an illusion.”

“Yes, it is.” James answered, his voice wavering slightly as he spoke.

“I too am an illusion,” the Vulcan continued, observing the sensations eating away at James' mind. “Summoned intentionally, it would seem.”

“Yes.” James answered.

“You must realize that there is nothing I can offer you that you don't already know. Summoning my image was illogical.”

“Your image, the scenery of Vulcan … it helps me push back what I don't want to experience. Re-enforce the lessons you taught me. I need to keep my mind, I don't know how long I will be contained as I am.”

“There is some logic to your thinking. Though had you not abandoned my teachings, you would be better equipped to deal with your past.”

“I won't purge my emotions.” James countered, a tinge of irritation to his voice.

“It is illogical that you would hold onto them, given the turmoil they cause you. Even your greatest highs are accompanied by this destructive side. You cannot rid yourself of one without casting aside the other.”

“I … I don't need to cast them aside. I just need control.”

“Your thinking is illogical. I cannot give you what you already have. It is ever your failing.”

“I …” James began before going silent for a minute. “I just need to meditate. Will you help me?”

The Vulcan cocked an eyebrow at James, and without saying anything knelt on the ground in front of James. “Do not let your mind wander,” he calmly said, “focus on the sights and sounds you have chosen. Tell me what you smell.”

James inhaled, held his breath as he silently counted to three and exhaled. “Smoke … blood … decay.”

“There is none of that for you to smell.”

“I know. But I smell it all the same.”

“That is your choice …”

“It is not my choice!” James countered suddenly, anger filling his voice.

“Once again, your emotions compromise you. There is no smoke, so logically you do not smell any. There is no blood for you to smell, no decay. Anything you smell is your choice, conscious or not.” The Vulcan calmly explained. “As these are illusions of your mind, you can choose to smell something else.”

“I'm trying!”

“You are not the master of your mind?”

“I am my mind.”

“Your eyes are closed, yet you see me, you see Vulcan. Why do you smell smoke and not incense? Why not the sea instead of blood. Why do you choose decay and not tea?”

“The memories are strong. They resurface and I can do little to stop them.”

“I believe we have time,” the Vulcan reasoned, “let's review what lessons you can remember.”

***

“It's been a day, and nopony's doing anything!” Rainbow Dash complained as she paced back and forth.

“Trust me, I know.” Lucca said as her image sipped tea. “But Airi's right, he's not in any kind of danger, and likely in a cell that makes Rarity's room look drab.” Lucca paused and shrugged. “It's just not an emergency. We've already got the ransom message and their only threat is that they'll keep him until we pay.”

“He's been kidnapped and it's not an emergency?!” Rainbow Dash simply couldn't comprehend the reasoning.

“Only because he's held by the Kage guild, they have a reputation for how they treat hostages, it makes people more likely to deal with them rather then engage in combat. It's a political move, primarily.”

“I hate politics.” Rainbow Dash groaned.

Lucca chuckled and nodded. “I don't think anyone really enjoys politics. It's just something that has to be done.”

“What about you? I mean, he's your husband.”

“Tali and I are on our way out already,” Lucca smirked. “We were never going to just leave it to Seina.”

“But they're saying it's still going to be about a week before his ship is ready to go after them!”

“Good thing he's not the only one with a powerful ship.” Lucca answered calmly.

Rainbow Dash sighed as she heard the comment. “Good, I'm tired of waiting.”

“Don't get too impatient, you have to wait for us at least.”

With a groan, Rainbow Dash slumped down into a chair. “And it takes so long to get here.”

“We started as soon as we knew James had been taken. We'll be there first thing in the morning.”

***

“Have you learned anything Rainbow Dash?” Rarity asked as Rainbow Dash walked into the common room. Her friends all sitting around the coffee table as they discussed what was being planned.

Rainbow Dash smirked. “Yeah, we're leaving tomorrow to go get him. As soon as Lucca and Tali get here.”

“What about Seina?” Applejack asked.

“Lucca's not waiting for him. But she also said that means we probably won't have GP support.”

“Do you think that's alright?” Twilight asked.

“We'll be fine. Besides, I really don't want to stand around, doing nothing.” Rainbow Dash asked.

“It's better than Saillune,” Applejack said easily, “we were just waiting around for something to happen. At least now we're taking the fight to them.”

“I know, and you're right.” Twilight said with a nod, “Once everypony's here we …” As Twilight spoke a small letter appeared next to her.

“Huh. I wonder what it is.” Applejack commented.

“Almost like receiving a letter via Spike.” Rarity added.

Without a word, Twilight's horn lit up and opened the letter for her to read.

“Is it a ransom demand?” Fluttershy asked.

“I don't think they'd contact us about that.” Starlight reasoned.

“It's just asking me to call somepony.” Twilight said, confused as she turned the letter over and examined it for potentially more information.

“Uhm, okay. If they could get a letter to you, why wouldn't they just call themselves?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“I don't know. But if it's the kidnappers, I'd rather have all of you here when I talk to them.” Shortly after Twilight spoke, her omnitool blinked to life and she carefully typed out the number sent to her.

The moment she finished, her omnitool blinked off and the bust of a middle-aged man appeared in the room. His hair was clearly once totally jet black, but he had gone gray on the sides with streaks of gray throughout the rest, mimicking his beard.

He squinted slightly as he looked around the group, his serious expression giving him a distinguished look, rather than angry or cruel.

“Hello. I understand you're Princess Twilight?” The man said as he turned to face Twilight.

“Who's askin'.” Rainbow Dash demanded, sternly.

“Yeah, you're the one who wanted to talk.” Applejack readily agreed.

The image of the man looked between the others before returning to Twilight. “Is there any chance we could talk privately?”

“No.” Twilight answered just as firm as Rainbow Dash. “Anything you want to say to me can be said in front of my friends.”

The man closed his eyes briefly, “I'm risking a lot by talking to you. I'd rather have as few listening in as possible.”

“Sounds to me like you're trying to hide something.” Rarity accused.

“I am.” He answered as he turned to Rarity. “My location, just to begin with.”

“And?” Rarity pressed.

The man's brow furrowed as he realized that it was everyone or nothing. “I understand that privacy is a bit much to ask for, but I have to keep some things to myself.”

“You're really getting off on the wrong hoof.” Applejack cut in.

“You're not giving us much to trust you on.” Twilight added.

“My name is Tokoro Takanori.” He said, bluntly, “and I'm the commander of the Shisan Fleet. And you are connected to King Glastos.”

“Is this about his ransom?” Twilight asked, careful to not let her voice show too much emotion.

“No, I'm not with the Kage Guild. In fact, they've been a problem for us lately, which is why I wanted to talk to you.”

“What do you think we can do for you?” Starlight asked.

“You can allow the Shisan Fleet assist you. That's all I ask.” The man said calmly.

“Uh-huh.” Twilight answered, clearly sarcastic.

“I've been around grifters more than I care to admit, and you're sounding pretty suspicious to me.” Applejack explained as she stepped forward. “How's about you give us the truth, here.”

The man looked impassively at the group. “That is the truth: All I ask of you is to allow my fleet assist you in in recovering King Glastos.” He paused a few moments, cutting off Rainbow Dash before she could respond. “I'm not saying it's entirely altruistic. By all accounts I am still a pirate. The Shisan Fleet is still wanted for arrest, at least until the statute of limitations runs out on us.”

“However, we've long since retired from piracy, and it would be beneficial to us if we could establish a good relationship with New Guardia before we're formally recognized as a legitimate government.”

“Wait,” Fluttershy quietly said, “how does that help them when New Guardia is in a different universe?”

“Because James has close ties to Jurai,” Twilight explained, still looking to the man. “If they have a good relationship with James, Jurai will be more open to them.”

“Exactly.” The man said with a nod. “And you are closely tied to James. All the Shisan Republic asks is to aid you. We don't even ask for your support afterwords.”

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and moaned, “Politics again.”

“Forget it,” Rarity confidently said, “we don't…”

“Alright.” Twilight said, cutting Rarity off. “We leave tomorrow, once the Queens of New Guardia arrive.”

“I know. There will be a full escort waiting to accompany you as you approach Kage territory.”

“We'll let them know.” Twilight said, surprisingly calmly.

“Thank you.” The man said moments before his image vanished.

The rest of the ponies stared at Twilight, astonished.

“What was that Twilight?” Starlight asked.

As if cued by the question, Twilight exhaled loudly and nearly collapsed. “I can't believe I just did that,” she said as she caught herself and began pacing. “I just made a deal with pirates …”

“Former pirates.” Rainbow Dash cut in.

“Pirates,” Twilight reiterated, “and I have no idea what's going to come of it.”

“Well it sounded like they're not pirates anymore and trying to start their own country … or world, rather.” Rarity said.

“And they're offering to help.” Applejack said, “Don't completely trust them, but we're hardly in a position to refuse.”

“We're also not really in a position to accept either.” Starlight added.

“No, Applejack.” Twilight said, sounding no less worried. “I'm still the Princess of Friendship, and I should show them trust. Maybe it's for the best.”

“I don't know. The pirates here suck.” Rainbow Dash commented, “But maybe since they're former pirates they won't be so bad.”

“Thanks everypony.” Twilight said as she looked up to her friends. “Where's Pinkie?”

“Over here!” Pinkie sang. “I made cake.”

Everyone stared blankly at Pinkie as she happily walked forward with the cake balanced on her back.

“Pinkie …” Rarity began, sounding concerned.

“What? We don't know how long this will take. This way we have cake ready as soon as we save James.”

“I guess everypony is confident about this.” Twilight hesitantly said.

***

Somehow, witnessing Lucca and Tali descend from the wooden spaceship with Tenchi and Ayeka brought a sense of relief to the group of ponies.

“Are you here to help too, Tenchi?” Rainbow Dash asked as she flew up to the floating platform.

Tenchi smiled at her and shook his head. “Oh no. This is politics, so we're staying out of it. Besides, Seina's going to be ready before too long …”

“Nearly a week.” Rainbow Dash complained.

“Miss Dash.” Ayeka gently said, “I understand that you're worried, but you really must understand, this isn't an unheard of thing for those of us in power to deal with. At least he's not been taken by one one of the notorious pirates.”

“Oh, and what notorious pirate would you be talking about?” Ryoko asked as she appeared, hanging off Tenchi and grinning wide.

“Whatever you are thinking, Ryoko: I meant Kagato.” Ayeka answered.

Ryoko's smile faded, “Oh.” She paused a moment before letting go of Tenchi and standing next to him. “Yeah, at least it's not Kagato.”

“Besides.” Tenchi said, flashing Rainbow Dash a confident smile. “You're all going after him. I don't think Seina will even be necessary.” As he spoke the platform came to a stop on the ground as the group stepped off.

“Thank you very much for your vote of confidence, Mr. Masaki.” Twilight said.

Tenchi chuckled as he heard her speak. “Please, just call me Tenchi.”

Twilight smiled warmly at the man, and opened her mouth to thank him when she was interrupted.

“It's great to see you again Tenchi.” Airi said with a warm smile, walking past the ponies and hugging Tenchi tight to her chest.

Ryoko and Ayeka both turned and glared daggers at Airi, even after she released Tenchi.

“I'm sorry that it was this incident that brought you out today.” Airi said as she turned to Lucca and Tali. “We were monitoring the situation, anticipating a more standard approach to his abduction.”

“I was wondering about that,” Tali said, holding her hand up to her mask to emote her curiosity. “How exactly did they manage it?”

“It was just so fast.” Starlight said. “He was going to go to the store, and just as he got to the street some green slime shot down at him. Before we realized it he had been transported away.”

“Huh,” Lucca mused as she tried to envision the situation. “So clearly they're well coordinated, and they're a good shot to hit him from far enough that the GP wasn't immediately aware where it had come from.”

“Well coordinated is right. They used a proxy ship to teleport him away and then to some other ship. The proxy ship exploded as soon as it's job was done, preventing us from getting better information than that.” Airi explained, calmly as she faced the new arrivals.

“All that work, and we still know right where their flotilla is.” Tali commented, clearly confident in their position.

“I have to wonder if they knew we knew who it was from the beginning. The proxy ship was completely black, which is a bit of a giveaway.” Airi commented.

“I'm going to assume that they knew.” Lucca said evenly, “We need to act as if they know exactly what's coming. Worst case scenario: we're pleasantly surprised when things go easier for us.”

Lucca turned and looked around the group gathered. “Speaking of, has Hinako been prepared?”

“She's waiting for you all now.” Airi confirmed.

“It would be nice to stay and talk, but the faster we get this done, the better.” Tali said, nodding to the woman. “Sara and Amber are by themselves for the weekend, and I imagine they're going to take full advantage.”

“Alright,” Lucca said looking to the ponies. “Rainbow Dash, I know you're with us. Anyone else coming along?”

Rarity sighed, and with a smile said, “What is it with everypony thinking they can just leave us behind. We're in this together, and we're going to help however we can.”

“I agree,” Applejack cut in, “But how in the hay are we going to help out on the ship? We don't exactly know how to control anything on it.”

“You're not in your restriction suits,” Lucca answered, “you should be on about even terms with most everyone else. And we'll inevitably need boarding parties.”

“Well, what are we waiting for?” Rainbow Dash eagerly said, “Let's go-o-o-o!”

***

“Alright,” a human said, looking up from his control panel, “we're in hyperspace. Baring any unforeseen incidents, we should arrive in just under three hours.”

“Thank you.” Tali said as she examined her onmitool.

“Now would probably be a good time to let you know,” Twilight hesitantly said, getting Lucca and Tali's attention, “we're going to have some help out there.”

“That's good to know.” Lucca said with a nod. “Who is it?”

“The Shisan fleet,” Twilight answered. “They contacted us yesterday and asked that we let them help.”

There was a flash as a window showing Hinako's terminal form appeared. “The Shisan Fleet is a rival pirate fleet.” Text on her image read as she got their attention. “Though they have been inactive for several years.”

Rainbow Dash flew just above Twilight and nodded. “They're retired pirates.” She corrected.

“I think he's trying to get something over on James.” Applejack explained, “Sounded like a two bit grifter to me.”

“As much as I'd like to turn them away,” Lucca said as she read over the information they had, “it's better that we have as much help as we can get.”

“Well,” Fluttershy quietly offered before being spoken over.

“Pirates usually make for poor allies,” Tali commented, “but you're right: We don't exactly have the luxury of choice.”

“I don't know about …” Fluttershy tried again.

“Yeah, I mean, I wouldn't even turn Aria away right now.” Lucca interjected.

“Discord …” Fluttershy continued.

“Come on.” Rainbow Dash butt in, “They've been retired for years. Hinako confirmed it.”

“She has a point.” Twilight offered.

“Excuse me!” Fluttershy shouted, getting everyone's attention. She looked around nervously and cleared her throat, “I just wanted to say that we had even less to go off for Discord. All we had to do was give him the chance to prove himself, and eventually he did. Maybe this is their chance.” She quietly finished.

Lucca looked to Tali a moment and nodded. “You're right, it's not like they'd be the first pirate guild to become a legitimate government.”

“Thanks for letting us know Twilight.” Tali commented. “Now that we know this, we should talk strategy.”

***

“Ma'am.” the human piloting the ship said as he examined his console. “We're detecting twenty ships entering hyperspace alongside us. Quick strike fighters, medium support, and one heavy cruiser.”

“Well,” Tali answered, “let's hope these are our Shisan allies. Ashley, would you open a channel to the lead ship?”

With only a confirmation as warning, the image of a strong looking woman with waist length emerald green hair appeared to stand before Tali. “Greetings, I am captain Kamiya Akari of Meusse. Am I speaking with the captain of Hinako?”

“I am Admiral Tali'Zorah Vas New Guardia, commanding Hinako.”

“Pleasure to meet you, we're part of the Shisan fleet, I believe Princess Twilight should have informed you of our commitment to aid in the recovery of King Glastos.”

“Yes, I have.” Twilight said, stepping forward.

The captain stared at Twilight a moment, before nodding and turning behind her. “I know it's a tree ship, but let's keep three defenders on them at all times.” She turned back to Tali as she spoke again. “I believe it would be best for our fighters to engage the Kage Guild directly before you leave hyperspace, providing you a distraction to engage the capital ship.”

“That's a good plan.” Tali said as she brought up her omnitool, “We have a similar strategy and have short range fighters to support us, we're also employing a stratagem that James once used when he was a pirate.” As Tali spoke she typed on her omnitool, “You and your squadron will need this IFF signature so you're not targeted by it.”

“So he is captain Glastos.” The captain said with an expression of understanding as she looked around the bridge of the tree ship. “I take it he was successful.” She finished with a smirk.

At the comment, Hinako's terminal form appeared, the text beneath her reading, “It's impossible to steal a Juriaan tree ship.”

Before the conversation continued the helmsman made and announcement. “Ma'am, we're approaching our destination.”

“Stay in hyperspace a few minutes, we'll get their attention and you start throwing stones.” As Akari finished speaking, her image vanished and shortly after her ships left hyperspace.

“So we just sit here?” Rainbow Dash asked, bouncing from hoof to hoof anxiously.

“Just for a short while. With their attention elsewhere we'll be able to get through much easier. But we're still going to have to fight our way there.” Lucca answered, setting a timer.

“I guess it's time to get to our positions then.” Applejack said, bracing herself.

“While we will need boarding parties, none of you need to actually join them.” Tali reiterated.

“We're not going to just sit back as everypony else does all the work.” Rarity commented. “James is our friend, and we'll do whatever we can to help.”

“I understand. See you girls later.” Tali said with a nod before making an announcement over the ship's communications system. “Attention all crew, report to your designated positions for Operation: Pirate King. We'll be leaving hyperspace shortly. Repeat: …”

The repeated message echoed through the halls as the ponies ran for their destination. Soon the announcement was replaced by another.

“Our objective is pretty obvious,” Lucca announced over the internal communications. “It's also dangerous, reckless, and stupid. Basically the kind of thing James would get us into all the time, so I know we're all well prepared for this.”

“Everyone's in position ma'am,” the communications officer said, turning to the two in charge. “Whenever you're ready.”

“You're the admiral.” Lucca said with a grin as she nodded to Tali.

“Execute.” Tali said clearly.

As she spoke what appeared to be a black void suddenly filled with points of light and spaceships of all varieties darting around, dodging and perusing each other. In the distance, a titanic spherical spaceship painted as if to appear constantly in shadow loomed over the battlefield. It was currently immobile, likely as the commander expected their crew to handle any threats.

“Ashley, target all hostile ships and execute the playlist.” Tali ordered. “And let's hope our allies got their IFF sorted out.” She added quietly.

At the order, several ships jerked briefly as others began to float, adrift on the battle field. Only their allies and the capitol ship in the distance appeared unaffected.

“Launch the fighters, let's keep them off balance for the boarding parties.”

***

“Are you sure you want to do this separate, Rainbow Dash?” Twilight asked as several groups assembled in ships that closer resembled darts than any space ship design they had seen before.

“Yeah.” Rainbow Dash said with a nod. “I have to do this. Besides, if we split up we can get more done.”

“But you don't have to do it alone!”

“Yeah!” Pinkie cut in, “We're, like, super unstoppable when we're all together.”

“Every time when Equestria needed saving we did it,” Applejack explained, “not one of us, or even a couple of us. But all of us, together.”

“What if James …” Rainbow Dash began, hesitant to finish as she remembered clearly remembered what he was capable of.

“Then it's all the more reason to stick together. We'll save him, even if we're saving him from himself.” Starlight concluded.

“This ain't the mess hall, ladies.” A seriously looking centaur woman said as she impatiently tapped the pole strapped across her back. “Either get moving, or get out.”

“Well, come on!” Rainbow Dash insisted as she gestured to her friends. “It's now or never.”

***

The sudden appearance of a Juriaan Tree Ship completely changed the balance of what they had assumed to be an attack by a rival guild.

“All hands! We're changing targets, engage the Tree Ship!” The captain began to shout, only for his voice to be drowned out half way through by a deep thumping base and quick guitar riffs.

Reflexively, half the crew had doubled over, clutching their ears in pain.

“How did they get into our comms?!” The captain shouted, though he was completely unheard. “Kill the comms! Kill the comms!” He ordered, but to no avail.

Three members of the bridge crew turned to each other, confused until the chorus began. They'd heard this music a long time ago. It was a reminder of a harder part of their life, but one they would always be proud of.

The captain had just thrown his comms officer from their control panel as he did everything he could to put a stop to the music crippling his ship.

With a nod, the three looked towards the captain and drew their pistols.

Not missing a beat, from the captains chair leapt a bulky man who got between the mutineers and their target. Knowing that talking would be pointless, he simply charged.

Blaster shots ricocheted off a skintight shied around the man as he rushed forward, ready to take out the three however he could.

He reached the closest, wrapping his arms around their her waist and easily lifting her above him. Taking the momentum from the lift he started to fall backwards, with her face angled to hit the floor first.

However, a sweep to his ankle sent him forward and down hard on his knee. His assailant quickly moving around him and pushing him forward completely.

He held tight to his target, using her body to cushion his fall. While he was able to avoid hitting the floor with his face, her fists pummeled the sides and top of his head, dazing him all the same.

Safer than he could have been, he let her go to get back on his feet. However she wrapped her legs around his waist so he couldn't be rid of her. With all her strength, she began pressing in on the sides of his head.

Without warning, his feet were torn out from underneath him, and a cord hastily wrapped around his ankles.

Still holding his head in her hands and his torso with her legs, she threw herself to the side, forcing him to roll onto his back.

He gripped her wrists, trying to pull her hands from the side of his head, but her pressure remained constant.

The pressure on his head suddenly released as she pulled her hands away, however his own wrists were forced down and his ankles up as his remaining assailant bound his wrists to his ankles.

Looking towards where the captain was, they found their remaining compatriot standing over the man's unconscious body, working at the terminal.

Moments later, the music stopped as the lights went out and the bridge finally went silent.

“We're taking command of this ship,” The woman announced as she walked over to the captain's chair. “and we're joining with the Tree Ship.”

“You're betraying the guild?” Another crew-mate asked.

“Damn right we are,” the mutineer working the console answered. “That was our captain's tactic and command line. If the captain's back, we're going back to our crew.”

“You think you can take the whole ship?”

“I've already disabled all our systems and unless I put in the right surrender confirmation the moment they come back on we're going deaf again. Or would you rather float until someone picks us off as easy targets?”

It wasn't hard for the pirates to see the tide had suddenly turned with multiple ships flying chaotically, or completely disabled. Several ships of their own that had somehow managed to avoid the earsplitting music were even now being rammed by piercing ships for boarding.

“We can manage.” The crew-mate said, confidently. “There's no money in betraying the commander, and following you will only lead to a cell” He smirked as he turned to the remaining bridge crew, self assured he would be backed up by them.

“Transmit the surrender code.” Came the answer, followed by quiet agreement.

“What?! The Guild is only growing stronger, and you want to give up everything for what? Someone else's captain?”

“For my wife.” Came his answer. “Money does nothing for the dead. She's going to be giving birth any day now, and I'll be damned if I leave her a widow and single mother.”

“Besides,” Another chimed in, “We didn't expect them to turn on us, we can't fight if we can't trust our own.”

“Get ready everyone, we're going back on.” the mutineer at the console said moments before the cabin was filled with loud, thumping music.

***

“Are you all ready?” A lamia asked as the ponies fastened themselves into their seats. “This isn't going to be easy, we're going to be invading and taking their vessel. They're going to fight us hard, and if you lose your earbuds, you're going to be effectively deaf.”

“We can't just sit around on the ship and wait for everything to happen around us.” Applejack said, firmly.

“We'll do what we can to keep you safe, but this is a battle. I can't guarantee anything.” the lamia added.

“This isn't our first battle.” Twilight quietly said, remembering all too vividly her every sensation as she waited for the Battle of Ponyville. Losing herself briefly in the memory of the sights and sounds, as if she could look out the window and see the hoards of lesser demons gathering at the edges of the Everfree forest. “We'll be fine.” she added flatly.

As Twilight looked up, she saw Hinako's terminal form looking down at her. “You and your friends are under my direct protection. While I'm not as strong as other Trees of my generation, you should be safe.”

“Thank you.” Twilight said, forcing a smile.

Before vanishing, Hinako examined Twilight's expression, before her own changed to sympathetic as her image vanished.

“It'll be alright, Twilight.” Fluttershy quietly said. “We've got this together.”

“Yeah,” Rainbow Dash eagerly said. “besides, with me out front, you won't have to do anything.”

“We've got our target.” The lamia announced. “We'll make contact in about a minute.”

Fluttershy sat in the back, forcing herself to breathe deep and steady as Pinkie Pie rubbed her back, her terror clear to anyone who saw her.

“So how will we be getting on the ship?” Rarity asked.

As an answer, the lamia wrapped her body around a central pole, and held tightly as she smiled.

“Uhm, what …” Starlight began before their transport came to a sudden stop.

The ponies all screamed briefly as they felt themselves being forced forward be inertia.

“Nothing to worry about.” The Lamia said as she began to uncoil, “The inertial dampeners in these ships are the best you can get.”

As she spoke, the cone end of the ship in front of them split open. The ponies watched as the other soldiers rushed to the opening. The moment they left the aperture they appeared to fall toward the far wall.

The ponies only heard the stream of communication between the soldiers as the ear buds effectively silenced the world around them. Once the soldiers were out, they jumped, reorienting themselves as best they could given the sudden shift in gravity.

“Alright everyone,” The lamia called as they secured their entry point, “The bridge is our goal, smaller ships like this don't often have auxiliary bridges.”

“And where's that?” Rarity asked.

“Unfortunately, getting in here the way we did doesn't really let us see where we are.”

“I say we split up and look.” Rainbow Dash offered.

The lamia looked to Rainbow Dash briefly, trying to decide if that were an order or not. “That would be the fastest way to search …” She began to say before being cut off.

“Awesome!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed before turning and taking off down the hall. “Come on girls I bet we get there first.”

“Wait! Rainbow Dash, we have no idea …” Twilight said before giving up with a sigh and running along after her.

***

“Come and get me!” Rainbow Dash shouted, though she was completely unheard by the pirates trying to collect themselves.

Without any further warning Rainbow Dash rushed forward, kicking the nearest pirate in the stomach.

Before long she was joined by Applejack lassoing another pirate and roughly pulling them towards her.

Trying to get control of the situation, the remaining pirates pulled their guns and aimed at whichever pony was closest.

Before any of them could shoot, several of their hands were knocked away by a barrage of cupcakes. The remaining guns were transformed into bananas in their hands, only for the fruit to be crushed as they attempted to fire.

Deaf, coated in cake, and confused, they attempted to run only to fall as they attempted to move. Rarity smiled as she levitated the needle and thread she had used to stitch their legs together.

Struggling to get to their feet, they were soon enveloped by an emerald light. With a flash, they stopped moving except for their eyes, which continued to dart around.

Not waiting any longer, the ponies rushed past the group, Fluttershy's apology as they passed going completely unheard.

***

Hinako jolted to the side as another barrage slammed into their shields.

“How are we holding up?” Tali asked once she was back on her feet.

“Light Hawk Wings holding strong: no damage.”

“Well they're hitting us hard enough to do something.” Lucca commented as she steadied herself. “Correct course and continue to the capital ship.”

“Ma'am, two more ships defecting!”

“Get them in formation, quickly.” Tali ordered.

“They're requesting to speak with the captain.”

Tali nodded and adjusted herself, standing just a little straighter and hoping to hold an air of authority. “Put them through.”

An image appeared in front of the two at command. The pirate who had contacted them went from excited to confused as he looked at them.

“I thought the captain had finally come back for us.” He said with a sneer.

“If you're talking about James, your guild is holding him and we're going to get him back.”

“That's what the commander meant when he talked about a big pay day!” He growled before shouting, “Put me through to the Towa no Yami! There's someone who needs to hear this!”

Once more he regarded Tali, “Sorry I have to cut this short, but there are other matters the need my attention.”

“Keep your com open for orders.” Tali instructed just before the image vanished.

***

“What's your plan when we get to the bridge?” Twilight asked Rainbow Dash, easily keeping up.

“Duh, we take the ship and go get James.” Rainbow Dash answered as she looked down another hallway.

“How?” Starlight added, “None of us know how to fly this thing.”

“Ain't that what the boarding party is here for?” Applejack asked.

“Yeah, we'll get them to pilot the ship.” Rainbow Dash casually answered, although it was clear to everyone that she hadn't even considered the question to begin with. Not that anyone thought about it as the lights went out just as she had finished talking.

The only lights to see by were some dim lights lining the hallways, and the lit up horns of the ponies with horns to light.

“I wonder what happened to the lights.” Starlight quietly asked.

“Ooh!” Pinkie said excitedly, “Maybe it's a surprise party!” Pinkie continued to smile as everyone turned to her, hoping that the comment was some sort of joke.

Completely ignoring the stares of her friends, Pinkie happily bounced along the ship's corridor.

Hesitantly, Twilight used her horn to carefully remove an earbud, bracing herself for painfully loud music. However, only the sounds of Pinkie's bounces were there for her to hear.

“Hey, I don't think things are going to be so easy now.” Twilight said, replacing the earbud.

“Heh, I was getting a bit bored with how easy these guys were.” Rainbow Dash said with a grin.

“Wouldn't darkness make things easier for us?” Rarity asked.

“It's silent.” Twilight commented, “even if they have trouble seeing, they'll be able to communicate better.”

“I guess we're just going to have to fight a little harder.” Starlight commented. “I do have a couple spells I could try.”

“What spells?” Twilight asked as the group began to move to keep up with Pinkie.

“Sleep. I learned it at the guild recently.”

“How's a sleeping spell going to help?”

“This spell's a bit different than the one we use. In Equestria, Somnambula's Somnus lets a pony sleep, the spell I'm talking about forces the target to sleep for at least ten hours.”

“How's that going to help when we're fighting all around them? They'll just wake up with all that noise.”

“No, they won't be able to wake up for those ten hours. That's why it's off limits to most guild members. Forcing somepony to sleep for ten housr whenever you want can cause a lot of trouble if used recklessly.”

“I hadn't thought about that before.” Twilight commented.

Twilight and Starlight were suddenly returned to the present with the sound of a door opening and Pinkie excitedly shouting “Surprise!”

They didn't even have time to see which door she had opened when Pinkie yelped as blaster shots came streaming out of the door.

“That was not a fun surprise!” Pinkie announced, ducking around the corner.

“I guess you've got the chance to try that spell now, Starlight.” Twilight said, reserved.

Starlight's face twisted up as she concentrated, her horn glowing as she quietly began the spell. She closed her eyes tightly as the emerald light of her horn transformed into a glittery light pink fog that wafted into the room that Pinkie had just fled.

As this happened, Hinako's terminal form appeared in front of Pinkie, appearing harried and exasperated. “I've got enough to keep track of without you prancing right into a firefight!” Her text read.

“Sorry.” Pinkie giggled.

The image of Hinako closed her eyes, pursed her lips and nodded, clearly irritated. “Okay,” was all the text read before her terminal form vanished completely.

“Huh.” Rainbow Dash said curious.

“What?” Applejack asked, cautiously checking to see if Starlight's spell had worked.

Inside the room, people were sprawled across the floor and their dark consoles. At the front of the room a large window allowed for a wide view of the battle still in progress. While several ships remained dark and motionless, others flew around erratically. Some had managed to form into some kind of formation that Rainbow Dash would have recognized if she cared to think about it.

It was hard to tell what ships were allies and what ones were their enemies, but they could reasonably believe the ones that the small interceptor ships were hounding were not friendly.

“Oh, just that Hinako is usually upset with me for some reason.” Rainbow Dash commented as she walked into the room. She used her hoof to lift the head of one of the slumbering crew and tickled just beneath his nose with her wing.

Her nose twitched and she sputtered before sneezing, her eyes staying closed as she unconsciously swatted the wing away from her face.

“Wow I guess they are out.” Rainbow Dash commented before a snicker crossed her face. “Pinkie, do you have any whipped cream?”

“Do I have any whipped cream?” Pinkie asked with a grin, “Duh.” As she finished she produced a can of the stuff from her mane.

“Why do you need whipped cream?” Rarity asked.

“Oh this is going to be hilarious.” Rainbow Dash said happily as she began filling the hands of the sleeping crew with whipped cream.

“Seriously?” Twilight asked, her mouth agape, “Don't you think we've got better things to do right now?”

“Besides, didn't you say this kind of prank was beneath you now?” Applejack accused.

“Come on,” Rainbow Dash moaned, “It's just whipped cream, they'll notice it as soon as they wake up. Not like markers or warm water. Besides, these guys suck. They deserve a little rude pranking at least.”

“I really think we've got more important things to worry about at the moment.” Twilight reiterated, “I think we've found the bridge.”

Rainbow Dash's attention was drawn to the room itself, as she realized where they were she smiled and hooted in victory. “Aww yeah! I knew we'd get here first.”

“Uhm.” Fluttershy quietly said, hoping to get their attention, “does anypony know how to pilot this ship?”

“I'm sure we can figure it out.” Rainbow Dash confidently said, flying over to a dark console and examining it.

“Or,” Applejack said firmly, “we can call those folks who came with us who already know what they're doing.”

“Fine.” Rainbow Dash said with a huff, the dark panel proving completely useless. “But I'm in command.” With a couple beats of her wings, she flew up to the dais where the commander's chair sat and pushed it's unconscious occupant out before taking their place.

“Who in the hay …” Applejack began before Rainbow Dash cut her off.

“Well he's my boyfriend.” She said earnestly, “So let's get this thing going! I bet they're holding him in that big ship over there.” As she spoke she pointed her hoof out towards the Capital Ship that was still not involved in any of the fighting. “Let's go.” She whispered, fixing her gaze on her target.

***

With a sigh Aoi leaned her chair back against the wall. She was an unusually tall woman, her height made even more stark by her exceptionally thin frame. She brushed a strand of rust colored hair from her face, irritated that she'd managed to miss tying it up along with the rest. Just another thing to add to her list of frustrations today.

The attack didn't bother her, just that she had been held back from joining. Not that she would be considered anyway; Sakuma wanted her close by, and what the commander wants, he gets. If anything she appreciated that she'd been allowed to guard the cargo.

Her mind wandered, imaging the sway of the battle from what she'd heard of it before taking the post. Clearly whatever it was they held was important to someone if a Juriaan Tree Ship had come to reclaim it.

She quickly glanced up and down the hallway to make sure she was alone, not that anyone would care what she did at the moment. Assured that she was by herself she quickly left her chair and lay face down on the floor. Keeping her body straight and rigid, she slowly lifted herself up onto her elbows and began to count as she held the position.
She barely got to fifty when a man's voice broke her concentration, causing her to fall on her face. “Really Aoi?!”

Aoi jumped up, a grimace pained across her face. “Come on, I'm stuck here watching a block of kinetic gel! At least I can keep myself from withering away completely.”

The pirate's face fell as he stared blankly at her. “You don't know what's going on?”

“Yeah, some Juriaan want's this thing back.” She said, thumbing behind her to the container of gel.

“So the signal didn't get through to the Towa no Yami …” He quietly said, looking behind Aoi to the gel she pointed at.

“Aoi,” He said calmly and evenly, “That's the captain.”

“What?!” Aoi asked as her face twisted, trying to understand what he was getting at. “Which one?”

“Not a guild captain. Our captain … Glastos.”

Aoi was tempted to smirk, but only got part way there as she stared at the guy. “Please, like the Juriaans would let him out of jail after the stunt he pulled.”

The Pirate only continued to stare at Aoi as her expression changed to shock, realizing she'd just answered her own nagging question.

Of course the Juriaans would go this far to get back a prisoner who dared try to raid their planet. Before Glastos the last one to dare such a thing was Ryoko, and the prince of Jurai chased her to some backwater planet.

Aoi immediately turned to her charge, trying to see inside to no avail. As certain as she was with her hunch, she needed to know.

His attention needed elsewhere, the pirate cut the call.

As she moved her hand up, a screen appeared in front of her and she typed out a quick command. The semisolid gel began to drain away. Soon she'd know for certain what it was they had taken.

***

James could easily recognize the illusions that assailed him, though they felt as real as anything at the moment. He heard the screams, felt the heat of the fire and smelled the blood, saw the faces of the dead, twisted in horror as they darted in and out of his vision, intruding on the darkness.

With logic we ascend from the chaos, using reason as our guide. James repeated to himself, using what voice he could conjure in his head to overwhelm the screaming.

His heart began to pound once more. I rule my emotions. My emotions do not rule me. He added, as he felt his heart slowly return to a regular pace.

He took a deep breath, holding it for a second before slowly exhaling. As he did a new sensation came over him, a feeling similar to a gentle breeze but … thicker, somehow.

I'm in kinetic gel.This isn't an illusion. Something is happening. James reasoned as he slowly opened his eyes.

The opaque gel offered up nothing to see, but the sensation continued steadily. The first significant change he felt was as the top of his head was free from the gel, and it was shortly after that that his entire head was free.

A rail thin woman stared at him, her mouth agape in shock as she watched her captain emerge from the gel.

“Aoi,” James calmly said as he stood up and walked towards the transparent barrier between them, “stand aside.”

He looked so different from the man she had served under, he was fatter, his hair longer and beard shorter, but despite all the changes his identity was certain.

“Stand aside, Aoi!” James firmly repeated.

“Yessir.” Aoi promptly answered, moving to the side.

James stoodat the glass wall, examining it briefly. Steadily he shifted his weight, pulling his arm back and balling his fist.

In one fluid motion James rolled his shoulder and flung his fist forward, shattering the wall completely.

Reflexively, Aoi backed away from the shattered wall. Her mind swam with questions as she looked to her former captain and the damage he'd managed to do with a single punch.

James' face was impassive as he walked out of his cell and looked to the door. “On my six,” he said simply before walking towards the door.

In the moment, Aoi felt as though no time had passed since the last time they had worked together. James walking forward determined, even if he had no idea where he was going, with her right behind and ready to defend him.

“Sir, we need to get you off the Towa no Yami.” Aoi said, finally remembering where they were and what was going on just beyond the bulkheads of the ship. “I think Sakuma is planning to ransom you back to the Juriaans. We can probably find a ship you can get away in at the hangar.”

James paused, looking up as he cleared his mind, letting the sounds around him give his mind grounding to process everything.

James inhaled slowly, the air was cool with a hint of jasmine. It felt good in his lungs, it felt cleaner than the ash and dust choked air of his memory. He felt the faint waft of air from a nearby vent on his clammy skin, and somewhere he heard Aoi's suggestion.

The memories tickled the edges of his senses, their full recollection too recent to the fore of his thoughts. But he was in control of his emotions, they did not control him.

“Aoi,” He quietly said, his voice even and calm, “I'm taking this ship.”

Aoi's face fell as she heard the announcement. “Escuse me, sir?”

“I'm taking this ship.” James repeated, “I'm already here, and you were kind enough to get me out of that gel. The hard part's already done, I may as well finish the job.”

“Sir,” Aoi said emphatically, “I can't protect you against the whole damn ship, and Jurai besides! But you can get away.”

James considered smiling briefly, but simply couldn't muster enough of the emotion for the will to. “Whatever we do, we'd better hurry. The guards are on their way.”

“The hanger is this way,” Aoi said as she tried to turn James.

“Too late to run, Aoi.” James said, walking towards the doors.

James once again adjusted his stance, only to kick the metal bulkhead doors in as they refused to slide open. The moment the doors broke the lights dimmed and red lights popped up around him as klaxons began to blare.

The doors at the far end of the corridor slid open and three pirates rushed in, not taking time to think about who they were shooting at.

James rushed forward, breaking the gun of one of the pirates as he attacked the weapon before reaching out and grabbing the forearm of that particular assailant. With a quick jerk, James pulled the pirate forward and up, using the surprised looking humanoid as a club knock the other two unconscious.

“You coming, Aoi?” James calmly asked as he approached the next set of doors.

Aoi stared blankly at James' back for a few seconds before sighing and with a light jog caught up to him momentarily.

“Not that the Towa no Yami can't do it, but I think using it to try to run from Jurai is a bad idea.” Aoi argued as she caught up in time to see James kick open the next set of doors. “And before I ask how, you really don't need to destroy every door we come to!” She added, pulling his hair to stop him for a moment.

James slowly turned his head to look at her. “So they can flood a sealed chamber with kinetic gel?”

Aoi let his hair go and cleared her throat. “I see. But you have to agree I have a point about escaping Jurai!”

“I'm not running from them.” James clarified, pausing as he considered where to turn next. “ … Were you the only one to latch onto this guild?”

Aoi's face flushed as she grabbed and pulled his hair once more. “I did not latch on to this guild. It was the only way for our crew to survive!”

“So you just ignored my last order, then. I even left promising leads for all of you.” James said, wrapping his large hand around around Aoi's thin wrist. Realizing just how easily he gripped her, James examined her for a minute. “ … What happened to you, Aoi?”

Aoi hurriedly drew her arm back from James' grip. “Look, peaceful lives aren't for all of us. For some of us, it wasn't even possible. It's just survival. As for wh …” Aoi began before the door at the end of the junction slid open and several pirates began firing.

James released her wrist and shifted to use his body to block the incoming fire. He grimaced as the blasts pummeled him, but he was glad that he had taken Airi's advice on what brand of clothes to get as they provided a measure of defense.

The barrage done with for the moment, James flipped around and launched a retaliation ki blast towards his attackers, who scrambled to escape.

“You're right. We can sate my curiosity later.” James said as he turned back to the direction that he had just been attacked from. “So which way am I going?”

“What's your plan?” Aoi countered. “You can't just declare the ship yours and fly off into the dark.”

“Fortunate that I have someone on the inside to help me out.” James said, looking directly at Aoi.

Aoi sighed, “Okay, I think I know how we can do this,” she said resigned, “Come on, I'll explain on the way.”

***

“We can't take a direct path to the capital ship.” The lamia shouted as their commandeered ship banked hard to the right. “It doesn't matter how much you insist we do, or can.”

“Hinako …” Rainbow Dash started before being cut off.

“Is a Juriaan Tree Ship, and is still getting knocked around by all of the fire!” The lamia finished for her. “We are a mid size cruiser with a compromised hull! We can pick out way through, possibly even faster than Hinako, but a bee line through the center of an active war-zone is a death wish!”

“Listen to her, Rainbow Dash!” Applejack shouted, “Getting there fast is all well and good, but it doesn't mean anything if we don't survive the trip.”

Rainbow Dash growled, still planted firmly in the captain's chair. “Twilight, can't you teleport us in? It can't be that far.”

“But it's empty space between the ship and us.” Twilight argued, “If I miss, we'll suffocate.”

“Oh,” Rainbow Dash said, sitting back slightly. “Are you sure you could miss it? That thing is huge.”

“Bigger than you think.” The lamia cut in, “the records on this ship indicate that that ship is about one thousand kilometers long.”

“Awesome!” Rainbow Dash said with a wide smile before realizing she didn't know how large that was. “Uhm …”

“Imagine running that marathon you did from Ponyville to Canterlot ten times …” Starlight said, holding on as the ship dodged another attack from a nearby pirate ship.

“Seriously?!”

“Yes, seriously. And you still wouldn't be halfway to the other side of it.”

Pinkie squinted as she looked out to the ship in the distance, and measured it briefly with her hooves as she chewed the tip of her tongue, sliding across the bridge as it dodged once more. “It doesn't look that big.” She eventually decided.

“Because it's that far away.” Twilight reasoned.

“How long will it take us to get there?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“I don't know.” A human at a console answered honestly. “The course we have to take is constantly shifting because of debris and we keep getting attacked.”

“Is there any way we can get there faster?” Rainbow Dash asked, continuing to stare across the expanse at her target.

“We could sneak among the pirates is we switch back to their IFF …” The human pilot explained.

“Great! Let's do that.” Rainbow Dash said with a smile.

“But then we get targeted by our own forces.” He finished.

“Come on!” Rainbow Dash growled.

“And we'd have to dislodge the boarding spike anyway.” The lamia continued for the helmsman, “Or what IFF we broadcast may do nothing for us, or even get us targeted by both sides.”

“So what good was taking one of their ships?!” Rainbow Dash demanded.

“Taking a ship from their side and adding it to our own is as good as just adding two to our own.” The lamia explained to Rainbow Dash.

“Wait!” Rainbow Dash suddenly said, not listening to the answer to her last question. “Can't we go into hyperspace and just shoot past this all?”

The lamia growled as she turned to Rainbow Dash. “We're too close, and too heavily damaged! We'd be torn to pieces and spread across an entire parsec of space!” Her fangs began to show as she loomed over the ponies. “I get that you want to get to him, but leave that to the experts like us! We'll move heaven and earth to get you there, but you have to trust us!”

Rainbow Dash couldn't help but back down, now very aware that the woman before was mostly snake. “Geeze, sorry.” She quietly said.

The lamia closed her eyes, inhaled slowly and blew out the breath. “Like I said, I understand that you want to get to him, but that's just not possible without taking the long way.”

Rainbow Dash looked down, feeling completely trapped. She wanted to rush forward, force the ship to move faster … but she just couldn't.

“We've got a corridor forward!” the helmsman announced.

“Then take it!” The lamia demanded. “And treat the ship like we stole it!”

Quietly, Rainbow Dash felt something deep inside stirring. The hope that corridor gave her reminded her of something she'd nearly forgot. Something from years back.

Briefly she heard Gilda taunting her, repeating “I can't believe you've let yourself get tied down.”

As she thought about it, she remembered the day she got Tank. She was so worried he'd tie her down, that he wasn't cool enough to be her pet. But when it mattered, he was there for her and she'd helped him fly in return.

And James was always there, for her and her friends. When Xellos had proven how much stronger than them he was, James gave her his sword of light. The weapon he'd created so he could fight Xellos.

And in their short time together, he'd opened her up to new worlds and experiences. He'd not tied her down, he was helping her soar even higher.

She looked up, watching as they reoriented themselves to take advantage of their new passage. “I can't believe I let myself get to this point.”

“What are you talking about Rainbow Dash?” Fluttershy asked, turning to her friend.

“I let my fears and doubts get me down. I'd nearly forgotten what was deep inside.” She answered with a growing smile.

“Rainbow Dash?” Rarity asked.

“If we got into that spike, and you went full speed, could you use this ship to fling us at that big ship even faster? You know, like a dart.” Rainbow Dash asked the helmsman.

He didn't look up from his console as he considered her proposition. “If we sealed off that section our damage would be minimal. And with a boost from us it could make the trip faster.”

“Girls,” Rainbow Dash said with a wild smile. “It's time to be awesome.”

***

Tali looked out across the ongoing battle as she further reevaluated how best to get to the capitol ship, and keep the allied ships as safe as possible.

“If only we had more backup this could be over by now.” She growled through gritted teeth. “Dammit, I'm an engineer, not a battle commander!”

“What the hell?!” Lucca suddenly exclaimed, as a rainbow blast radiated outwards on the battlefield. From the center of the blast a rainbow continued forward, trailing behind a single small boarding spike with sparks flying off it.

***

Aoi held a small slip of paper between two fingers as she held it out for James. “Here's the directions to the control tower. Sakuma's at the top on the main bridge, obviously.”

James took the note and quietly read it as Aoi continued.

“I'll get to the aux bridge and commandeer the ship from there. Of course I can't exactly fly the thing anywhere completely alone, but it should be enough to effectively end the fighting.”

“Thanks for helping your old captain, Aoi.” James said evenly, trying to smile even slightly. “Even though I did such a poor job in my final act as said captain.”

“You just expected better from us than we were.”

“You're better than you give yourself credit for.” James said, placing his hand on her shoulder. “Maybe after this you'll find that out.”

He rubbed her shoulder briefly, the corners of his mouth turning down. “And maybe you'll put back some of that muscle you gave up for this job, too.”

“Muscle first, then you can pretend I'm better than just a pirate.” Aoi answered with a smile as she turned and ran for her destination.

James examined the paper, reading the simple directions quietly to himself. He didn't have much time to think about them, however, as several more pirates turned a nearby corned armed with hoses.

Reflexively, James jumped back as the hoses started spraying a light green gel towards him. He readied himself to dodge another attempt as he oriented himself and recalled the directions.

Just as another deluge of gel was sprayed his direction he turned and ran, taking several turns in quick succession to find himself at the origin point of the hoses. And after disabling them, he continued along the prescribed pathway.

There weren't many turns to take and the the last step of the note read “You'll know it when you get there.” James didn't have to wonder what she meant for long as he soon found himself looking up at the darkest tower he had ever seen.

“Did he really paint this thing Vantablack?” James couldn't help but ask out loud as he attempted to find some control panel that would let him in, or up. After fumbling around for a minute he paused and shook his head. “It's a tower,” He told himself, slightly irritated, “I need to go up.” And with a brief moment of concentration he lifted into the air and rushed up the tower.

***

“He can't be that hard to catch!” Shouted a tall man wearing dark glasses, a loose green and white striped nagagi, and zori. Despite his outfit not accentuating his form, it was plain that the man was muscular and likely took pride in the fact.

He brought a kiseru pipe to his lips and inhaled deeply, closing his eyes as the smoke filled his lungs.

Smoke billowed from his nostrils as he exhaled and looked at the screen in front of him. “Cocky as ever, I guess.” Sakuma mumbled to himself as he watched a screen with James flying up towards him. “Didn't work so well for you on Jurai either.”

Shortly after he finished speaking James shot up past the top of the tower, hovering for a moment before slowly floating down to stand before Sakuma.

James stood at the same height as the pirate commander, but was clearly fatter with a narrower build.

Sakuma took another drag from his kiseru pipe before placing it on a nearby console. “Alright, everyone, a little privacy.” He said with the smoke pluming from his mouth.

At his order, the crew around him stood and vanished from the tower.

“You too ladies.” He added without looking back to the lounge he commanded from where several notably thin women stood and vanished themselves.

Sakuma rolled his head and reached his left hand into his nagagi and scratched his chest as he offered his right to James. “I may not get the chance later, so …”

James's face was impassive as he looked the man up and down before accepting the handshake.

Sakuma smiled as he released James' hand. With a shrug the top part of his nagagi fell to his waist, held up by only his belt. He smirked as he stared at James, confident in his comparison to the large man.

With a similar motion, James shrugged off his kimono, allowing it to hang around his waist, just over his hakama.

Content with posturing, Sakuma took advantage of their close distance and punched James in the stomach, sending him reeling backwards. He moved forward and hit James with a right cross to his jaw.

James staggered to the side, catching himself on a console, looking up in time to avoid another punch from the muscular man.

Taking advantage of the missed punch, James went low to jab Sakuma in his kidney.

Sakuma twisted at the strike, moving backwards and keeping his hands up defensively.

James pressed his advance and moved in to strike again, however Sakuma moved forward at the same time. Striking out with his elbow, James blocked the attack and continued forward with a headbutt.

Sakuma shook the stars from his eyes before wiping the blood from his nose. He smirked as he looked up at James and rushed forward, striking James' stomach with two solid punches.

James coughed as he took the hit, bringing his elbow down on Sakuma's back.

Sakuma took the hit with a grunt, and struck out once more with both hands, however, instead of punching he shoved James away from him, gaining some space to recover and reevaluate.

James took the moment to get his hands up defensively, ready for another strike to come soon.

They stared at each other for moments, each waiting for the other to move first. James obliged with a rush forward, dropping as he got close to sweep Sakuma's legs.

Reacting to the drop, Sakuma jumped over the sweep and danced out of the way of a second attempt.

As James climbed back to his feet, Sakuma rushed forward, pushing James backwards as he punched James' stomach rapidly.

James coughed as he staggered away from the assault, once again taking a defensive stance as he watched Sakuma.

As they were once more waiting for the other to make the next move, a voice interrupted them. “The situation is under control.” Aoi's voice rang out over the intercom.

Sakuma smirked, “Good initiative Aoi.” He kept his eyes glues to James as he spoke. “Looks like your grand escape and rescue is over, Glastos.”

James dropped his defense and stood up straight. “Thanks Aoi. as soon as I can, I need to repaint the command tower.”

Sakuma's smirk twisted to a grimace as he tapped a nearby console to receive no response. “Aoi, you bitch!” He shouted wildly as he rushed forward, landing a straight punch on James' stomach with his considerable weight behind it.

The soft slap of his fist connecting to James' bare stomach was all the recognition of the strike Sakuma got. James impassively stared down at the man now holding his arm in pain.

“Sir!” Aoi suddenly announced, the panic in her voice was plain. “We've got incoming!”

James turned in time to watch the familiar shape of a boarding spike crash through the hull of the ship, aimed right for the command tower.

Before the spike even opened a flash of violet flecked with gold signaled the appearance of the ponies on the bridge.

Without taking any time to consider, Rainbow Dash hurled herself, hooves first at Sakuma, knocking him to the side. With some space between them, she positioned herself between James and the pirate commander. While she certainly wasn't smiling, her face clearly challenged the pirate to try approaching.

More than ready to oblige, Sakuma leapt towards the two only to be caught mid air by the same gold flecked violet light interspersed with sky blue light.

“We've got him! Now Starlight!” Twilight ordered.

Without waiting for any other instruction, Starlight focused as the emerald light of her horn generated a shimmering pink fog that wafted over Sakuma, who's struggling immediately ceased.

“Yay!” Pinkie shouted as she bounced around the bridge. “We did it!”

“Hopefully we helped, looks like you had things pretty much under control.” Applejack commented.

“I don't know,” Starlight said as she looked between James and Sakuma, “ by the looks of it there could still be a case of acute testosterone poisoning.”

“Poison?!” Rainbow Dash said suddenly and urgently. “Quick, we've got to get him to a hospital!”

Despite her urgency, the other girls began to laugh.

“Why are you laughing? If he's been poisoned again we need to hurry!” Rainbow Dash urged.

Still quietly giggling, Fluttershy approached her friend. “It's not really poisoning, she's just saying that it's silly they were fighting half naked.”

Rainbow Dash blushed slightly. “Oh, right,” she quickly said, “I knew that.” After a moment she allowed herself to laugh too.

Before they had an opportunity to relax from what was, for them, the end of the fight, screens began popping up all over the bridge. Each screen was emerald green and only displayed “ZZZ” in ruby across them.

“Sir,” Aoi interrupted, “I'm sorry, I didn't realize she was here.”

In the distance, a bright green vortex appeared, and a wooden ship slowly emerged from it. Much like Hinako, the ship itself was the smaller part of the vessel, though the Mikagami's two rings were significantly larger than Hinako's rings.

The battle outside and around the Mikagami came to an abrupt halt, likely as a similar disruption was occurring to the other pirate ships around them.

Surrounding the battlefield, hundreds of small, clearly Juriaan, ships dropped out of hyperspace in tight formation. If there had been any will from the pirates to fight before, it was now clearly gone.

“I do hope I'm not too late to the party.” Lady Seto's voice came through clearly on the communication system.

“It's alright Aoi.” James calmly said, “the devil's on our side.”