“It’s trial after trial, after fuckin trial. Just come out already!” Sol swore angrily into the abyss. Eses told him they would talk when he completed the trials and Sol agreed. This temple was weird for a number of reasons. 1 was that when he entered a room he was teleported somewhere. 2 was that he had to find his way out of the area via teleporters. The final thing was that there were ponies everywhere. Where he was currently was all ocean except for the rock that he fell on when he got there. Having just recently lost his wings he couldn’t survey the area. All he could see was dark purple skies, and pitch black water.

“Does he expect me to swim in the dark?” Sol thought to himself. He was uncomfortable and wet from the salty spray hitting him in the face. The “land” he fell on was about as wide as his office wall to wall. It was high enough to where the water could splash against the rock and spray him. Occasionally the ocean would spill onto the rock which meant it was only going to take one bad storm to send him swimming.

“Lovely, glad I’m doing this alone…”Sol whined and then trailed off. Was he mistaken? A light was coming towards him. At this point he didn’t care what it was, he just wanted to get off the rock. Jumping up he waved and ignited his horn, doing his best to use his magic. It was faint, but he wasn’t going to give up. His horn began to twinkle weakly like a dying star, and then it stopped. No matter how much he tried to use his magic again, he couldn’t do it.

“Please tell me, It sees me” Sol pleaded now jumping up and down hoping the light approached him. As if to answer his prayers, the light got closer and closer to him. It looked to be a crab fishing boat from earth. It was about half the length and the metal was slightly rusted. He watched as the boat approached him, a slight sense of relief flooding over him. The clanking of chains and dull thud of the anchor dropping was slightly unnerving.

“Man, I might have a new phobia of the ocean after this” Sol mused. Jogging over to the edge of the rock to meet the boat he was met with a smile.

“Oh my Stars, another pony way out here?” An old gravely voice asked him. Meeting the old Earth pony’s gaze Sol smiled back.

“Yea, you’re tellin me. Mind if I join ya?” Sol asked. The stallion gave a belly laugh and nodded.

“ I know she ain’t much but Welcome aboard the S.S Eclipse” The sailor said, grabbing a board for Sol to walk on and sliding it over.

“Thank ya kindly Sir, It’s been a long well few years to say the least” Sol says exhaling. The sailor looked at Sol as he jumped aboard.

“Names Mariner Jack, friends call me Jack. You are?” The sailor asked him, raising an eyebrow. Mariner looked over Sol’s disheveled mane, cuts on his sides, and the scars where wings should be.

“I’m Sol Hamel, Sol’s fine by me though” He said, forcing a smile. “Need help with anything?”

“No, go and shower down below. Room on the left with a sign can't miss it. Come back up when you’re done.” Jack said, turning to pull up the anchor. Sol ignited his horn and used his magic to pull up the anchor for Jack. He was actually pleasantly surprised his magic responded to him without failing.

“Let me know if you need anything else” Sol said walking off. Jack just smiled and went about his duties to get back out to sea. Wondering how the hell this “Sol” was out in the middle of the ocean. No pony had been out this far before and Jack was certain he was the first to find new land. Yet here was this scarred, cream colored unicorn wandering the rock and Jack was fascinated beyond measure.

“But first, we set back out. To flotsam we go” Jack said, shaking his head to snap him from his thoughts. He could ask Sol in time what was going on, they had quite the journey back.

“Oi Lad, Starboard sails needs retying. Get on that or the sails will be torn to shreds!” Jack yelled from the helm of the ship. Sol was more confused now than when he ended up in Equestria.

“Cap, I’ve never sailed a day in my life what the hell is sta-”Sol yelled back in confusion. Jack sighed and face hoofed before composing himself. They were in the middle of a storm and getting upset at a “Survivor” wasn’t going to help them live.

“For the love of…The right side sails. NOW HURRY!!” Jack bellowed as he lurched up, and then crashed back down. Dark seawater began to cover the deck as Sol ran to climb the loose rigging to tie the sails.

“If I ever get out of here I swear to all that's holy I’m gonna-” Sol thought angrily. A small shadow approached Sol and before he could react…

THWACK!!!

A metal pail smacked Sol in the side causing him to fall and get his left leg tangled in the ropes. He hung suspended in the air by his caught leg gasping for air desperately trying to free himself.

“BOY! How is the sail goin-”Jack yelled over the crashing waves, then he paused and eyes wide in astonishment. Cursing under his breath Jack just continued to do his best and hoped that Sol would be alright.

“ESES YOU SON OF A-” Sol screamed as another wave of water washed over him and the boat drowned out his attempt to curse. After a few seconds the water receded and Sol took a gasp of fresh air. Realizing that screaming wasn’t getting him free nor was the pointless struggling he tried to calm his mind and think of what to do.

“For Calypso’s sake USE YUR’ MAGIC LAD” Jack yelled. Sol snapped his attention to the helm where he saw Jack fighting to stay standing. Ignited his horn and tried to tie sails to the ship down. Sol smiled as his horn lit and he saw the rope on the deck slowly lifting towards him.

“Yes, yes come on, just go and keep the sail in place” Said Sol, using all of his concentration to maintain the spell. As the rope began to wrap around the sail Sol felt the world around him spinning.

“Hey! HEY! FOCUS I NEED THOSE SAI-” Sol heard Jack scream at him as the world around him went dark. All he felt was the water in his coat, and a ringing in his ears that made him feel as if his head was going to split. Slowly losing consciousness, the waves, rigging, and dark sky above him began to fade from his vision.

“What the he-” was all Sol managed to get out before everything went pitch black.

Author's Note

Hard times make strong stallions-> Strong stallions make good times. Hopefully we can get back to good times and not be stranded in open ocean...

Yes I know a short chapter, but its a chapter! I'm getting my mojo back and I'll ease back into writing again! Works been rough so bear with me! I love all of you and appreciate you (yes even the neigh Sayers) . Happy new years to all of you and I hope to continue this story with you all here to read it!