The Jaded Files: The Neighpon Adventure

A week had passed, we got to know our way around the ship, introduced ourselves to the crew, and there still was no land in sight. I had no idea how long we still had left and it was taking a toll on me. I felt my old demeanour started to return, my old Jaded self. My gaze roamed everywhere without any interest. Lichen and Strawberry couldn't do anything to cheer me up, and I slept most of the time.

I woke up groggily on the ninth day at sea, blinking my eyes erratically. An excited grin popped into my view once I finally got them to fully open. I yelped and flipped off, my hammock, landing in a heap on the deck.

"Hey, Strawberry. What is this time?" I slowly got up and raised my head. I could tell that my monotone voice had dampened the pegasus' smile, but it didn't seem to deter her.

"The lookout spotted land! We should be able to arrive in a couple of hours." Strawberry gave me a little friendly shove. "Come on! You've got to see this, it looks really spooky."

I sighed as I trotted after her, wondering what kind of island this was. Lichen greeted us once I emerged and guided the two of us towards the bow. After some squinting, I could make out a hazy outline on the horizon. "That's a few hours away? That looks forever away!"

"Don't worry, the captain said that there is something on the island that makes it look like it's far away. We'll be able to break the barrier soon." As soon as Lichen said it, I felt a cool ripple flow over me. Something about it made me shrivel inside, it felt malevolent. After I stopped shivering, my jaw dropped. In front of the ship lay an island like no other. It's hills were huge and gray, haunting trees were scattered everywhere, murky waters were everywhere, but the spookiest thing of all was all the magic mist in the air.

"What is this?" I turned around and faced the captain.

"There's a creature in these parts, spreadin' them foul magics. Anycreature who's daft enough to face it, is never seen again. Because of this, ain't nocreature know what it is. Best to stay away." Captain Torrent said, his pirate facade back on.

"That doesn't sound too good." Strawberry mused as she busily tinkered with her laser pistol.

"No indeed, I sure hope we don't come face to face with such a creature." Lichen answered, his sharp gaze scanning the shoreline.

"Cap'n! Nagatrotki port is up ahead!" A putrid yellow pony yelled out from up in the crow's nest. The next few minutes were a mad scramble between all of the crew. The three of us stood by and watched everything with a sense of awe at how efficiently they did all of this. Through their obvious teamwork, they could make this ship tiptop shape in order for us to be docked.

I changed my gaze and saw a gray mare, wearing a sea captains hat, waiting for us with a great scowl on her face. As the ship got closer, the scowl went even deeper and uglier. I felt myself visibly shying away from her.

"Something the matter?" Lichen asked, confused as to why I was hiding behind him.

"Everything Lichen, that mare, she's trouble. I'm sure of it!" I shuddered, pointing a hoof at the offending pony.

"WELL, IF IT AIN'T TORRENT AND HIS CREW! WE'VE BEEN WAITIN' AGES FER YA!" The gray mare's scowl immediately changed into a hearty bellow.

Author's Note

mmm, musing. Much to be mused. Like muses. I muse that I am crazy.

This story is gonna consist of short chapter. Don't ask me why I decided that, i just did. So yep, just a side project. Something I could always write on and publish on a regular basis while I work on the big ones. :)