“SOL! My boy get up, will ya? Sweet Calypso, did he dry out?” a gruff voice called out. Sol groaned as he regained consciousness slowly. His eyes fluttered open as sunlight blinded him and the saltwater smell of the ocean filled his nostrils.

“The hell happened? The ship i-” Sol shot up his breath quickening as he looked around confused. The sun was out, the ship was still in one piece and Mariner Jack the captain was looking down at him laughing.

“You don’t remember what happened? You changed the weather, the time of day, the whole thing!” Jack exclaimed and sighed contently.

“I did…” Sol paused looking up at the clear sky, “ Uhh all of this?” he asked, his voice hoarse and dry. Sol coughed and sat down, closing his eyes again. He felt like shit; his head pounded, his throat felt like he gargled rocks in his sleep, and he felt like something was wrong.

“Well, I can only make the assumption. You took a log to the noggin and ya’ glowed like the sun and poof. No more storms, and calm waves for the past few days and…” Jack continued but Sol had zoned off. Sol was still trying to process what was going on around him.

“A few days would explain the dry throat and headache but why am I still on the deck?” Sol asked, opening one eye and slowly turning towards the sailor. Jack turned away whistling, and began to walk back towards the helm of the ship.

“Well, err um…” The sailor sputtered trying to think of a way to explain why he left the unicorn be. Sol just shook his head and winced. Moving his head around with this massive headache wasn’t the smartest thing.

“Just… whatever I wanna sleep my head is killin’ me” Sol said. Shakily getting to his hooves he went below deck. Jack exhaled a deep breath he didn’t realize he had been holding. He didn’t know what to tell Sol.

“Boys in for a treat, I didn’t have the heart to tell em’ ” Jack thought, shaking his head as he directed the ship towards Flotsam, the drifting city that was visible on the horizon. As the ship neared the dock Jack heard a scream and closed his eyes grimacing. Smoothing his grey beard, he made his way below deck to check on Sol.

“The HELL IS THIS?!” Sol screamed, distraught at what he was looking at. Jack standing in the doorway of the room, grimaced.

“Lad I know it looks bad but I’m sure the town's Unicorn might be able to help ya's out. Lets land and-” Jack ducked as Sol flung a book at him. Looking at the stallion's expression made Jack's heart sink. He had met countless others and seen them go through the ringer, but this was different. Seeing Sol’s face contorted with pain, and loss made him want to hug him and comfort him. Yet all Jack could do was stand there, opening and closing his mouth failing to find his words.

“You maybe could have I don’t know TOLD ME MY HORNS BROKEN?!” Sol screamed motioning to his horn. His hoarse voice cracking, Sol coughed and began to sob. Equestrian magic wasn’t native to him and yet the lack of it after 2 years in Equestria made him feel an overwhelming sense of loss. It was like losing an arm, but it felt worse. He felt disconnected in a way he couldn’t express.

The realization that he had to learn to write, grab things, and function without his crutch. Another wave of emotions flowed over Sol as his mind spiraled. The two stood in silence for a few minutes just looking at each other. Neither moved from their spots until Jack finally spoke.

“Lad I… Didn’t errr I mean that-” Jack sighed dejectedly, his voice hitching in his throat. The sailors' gravely voice came out barely above a whisper. Sol tried to compose himself and sat on the floor, tears streaking down his face.

“Gods this blows. Lets just…Lets just land and go from there yea?” Sol said between sniffs. The sailor nodded and backed out of the room and back into the hallway. Gently closing the door Jack turned and began to walk back up the stairs and then he paused. Leaning onto the railing he exhaled deeply gathering himself then continued. He needed to get his head right if he was going to be of any help to the colt. Shaking his head he resumed his position at the helm and began to steer. They had a good couple more days before landing so hopefully there was some good news, and soon.

After being delayed at port Sol and Jack finally got to set foot in the city of Flotsam, The only known settlement wherever they were. At least that's what Sol was told when he asked around some of the tables at the diner they landed at.

“Boy what can I get ya? Those at sea meals don’t do food justice.” Jack asked, sitting down across from Sol. The two occupied a rounded table in the corner of the diner. The afternoon sun filtered through the windows letting Sol take in his surroundings. The diner was akin to an old Norse bar. The pale wooden planks that lined the whole place, the runes on decorations behind the bar and on the walls. The smell of mead, grill smoke, and humidity hung in the air but not in a way that made Sol uncomfortable.

“Jack this place is…” Sol turned to Jack who was waving over a waitress.

“Bright Shine, The usual but double it. I’ve got a guest to meet the mayor!” Jack said proudly. Prompting the young waitress to trot over to their table.

“Jacky! Welcome back, what guest would you be referring to this time that we haven’t met y-” Bright Shine stopped talking when her eyes fell on Sol.

“Pleasure.” Sol said frankly, looking away from her. The earth pony had a pale orange coat and a bright cyan mane. However her bubbly voice was annoying him to say the least.

“Where’d you pick up this one?” Bright Shine asked getting closer to Sol, who shifted away. Either she didn’t care or didn’t notice his unease; continued to look him over. Before Sol could ask her to move Jack cleared his throat getting her attention.

“Shine, you’re too close to the poor lad. He’s…gone through quite a lot to say the least.” Jack chimed in. The waitress shook her head and backed up after hearing Jack speak.

“Ah, Sorry he did say you were a guest. Make yourself at home, his meal is on me as a sorry” Bright Shine said smiling. She strolled off and Sol exhaled and continued to look around. The two sat in silence while Sol looked around with fascination. He wondered how all of this was possible in the middle of a large body of water and how old this place was. Sol was snapped from his thoughts however when Jack cleared his throat and looked at Sol.

“Need something Jack?” Sol inquired, tilting his head in confusion. The sailor held Sol’s gaze for a moment before speaking.

“I refrained from asking until I could give ya decent food and drink. But what's yer story? What’s the deal with you and all this magic mumbo jumbo eh?” Jack asked, trying to keep his voice down. Confused, Sol took a second to process the question.

“Magic mumbo jumbo?” asked Sol before Jack shushed him and leaned over to him.

“Look it ain’t too common or welcome ‘round here and the only reason you aren’t attracting attention is because your horns stubbed” Jack said barely above whisper. Sol sighed, annoyed at the mention of his broken horn but he acknowledged Jack and nodded at him.

“So leaving out all of the uhh ‘fluff’ you could call it. It began when-” Sol said, trying to think of a way to tell his story without mentioning magic too loudly. Before he could begin, Bright Shine came back with Jack's usual.

“So I have 2 large barley soups and 4 tall ales for you guys! Let me know if you need anything else!” Bright Shine said cheerily before setting down their meal and walking off to help some pony else. Sol and Jack made eye contact and grinned widely.

“Let's get a few bites in before I tell ya. How’s that Jack?” Sol said not waiting for a response. Jack let out a short laugh but said nothing, opting to start his meal and wait to hear what the boy had been through thus far.

After a few hours Sol had gotten through a good portion of his time in Equestria. From when he ended up in the castle ruins, to explaining his new life, and the events that ended up with him here.

“Boy, that is quite the loaded story. I feel like you’re leaving some important details out, but ah’ll let it be.” Jack said, taking a swig of his now fourth drink of the evening.

“I am, but I doubt you want to hear about my love life, Jacky.” Sol mocked, causing Jack to choke on his ale.

“Don’t. Call. Me. Jacky, Boy.” Jack said, trying his hardest to hold a straight face.

“Ok, Ok don’t get your tail in a twist. I’m just saying though…” Sol paused looking at the sailor. His facial expression had softened and he motioned for Sol to continue in between coughs.

“Jacky your next round” Bright Shine said, popping up seemingly out of nowhere.

“I didn’t order another…” Jack said looking around, noticing a few of the patrons were turned towards their table listening.

“Consider it on us, we missed the first half of your story but this is getting good boy” A stallion said, eliciting grunts and raised glasses in approval. Sol closed his eyes and shook his head laughing to himself.

“I’m not going into great detail,” Sol said. Grunts of disapproval were heard and another ale was brought to the table.

“Good enough for now?” Another patron asked. Sol nodded at him and began. Sol talked about Cadence, their meeting, their dates, and the more vanilla stories of their after dates. The things he liked no… the things he loved about her. He talked about Luna and their interactions, dates, and how he regretted not spending more time with her outside of work.

“I guess I took for granted the time we had. I assumed being in the same space for work was the same as personal time and, haha, boy was I wrong.” Sol said, mocking himself. Jack put a hoof on his shoulder in consolation.

“Hindsight 20/20 lad, it’s alright-” Jack began to say but Sol cut him off.

Sol smiled and sighed deeply, “Now that it’s all out there I feel a little bit better. Besides, moping wont get me home and there has to be a reason I'm here.”

“Well for your sake we hope so. Most of those we find are less…put together” A tall brown stallion says, putting emphasis on the end of his sentence.

“Ah yea well…,” Sol paused, reminiscing on the parts of his story he’d skipped over. The countless walking, the lack of family and loved ones and more.

“We’re gonna head out now. Bright add it to the tab ah feel i’m good for it” Jack said grinning. Bright Shine shook her head and walked away.

“Yea yea sure ya are Jacky” She said, sauntering off. The group around Sol and Jack started to thin as the patrons either went back to their meals or went about their days. Sol followed behind Jack as they left the diner. Sol looked at the late afternoon sky, as the sunset gave way to a multitude of colors. The strawberry colored sky put him at ease, and looking up made his heart ache. The colors reminded him of Cadence and the night sky blending in reminded him of Luna.

“I’ll get home, even if I have to fight god himself” Sol said under breath. Jack led Sol back to his house. Sol looked at the cabin and saw smoke coming from the chimney.

“Honey, it’s me!” Jack called out as he opened the door.

“You’re back early?!” A voice called from the other room. A shadow threw itself at Jack which startled Sol.

“What the-” Sol said backing up before looking at Jack and the shadow. It was a small black cat that had thrown itself at Jack as he continued to walk into the house.
“Boy ya comin?” Jack asked, turning to Sol. Shaking his head Sol trotted behind Jack into their living room.

“Hun…Who’s that?” The pale white Pegasus with a mane asked.

“This here's the reason I’m back early. Hun this is Sol. Sol this is my wife Rosalina. He’s had it rough, babe can we give him our spare room?” Jack asked looking at his wife who was looking Sol over. After thinking it over for a little bit she nodded in agreement.

“Thanks umm do you mind if I turn in now. It's been a while since I’ve slept in a bed.” Sol asked yawning.

“Shower first. I’ll change the sheets and it will be the room at the end of the hall.” Rosalina said, getting up. Sol followed her and she led him to the bathroom.

“Thank you” Sol said, bowing his head and hopping into the shower. Letting the water wash over him Sol didn’t stay in the water for too long. After a couple minutes he hopped out and dried off with a tower from under the sink. Opening the door and making his way to the guestroom he found Rosalina finishing up. After putting pillowcases on pillows and a quilt over the bed she left without a word and closed the door behind her.

“Thanks again…” Sol said trailing off. Sighing he flopped onto the bed grateful for the bed. The floral scent in the sheets was soothing. Yawning Sol’s eyes fluttered closed as he drifted off into nothingness. Then he was in a field of flowers where he saw an older green mare sitting not too far from him.

“Finally, I get to speak with you young one. Come, I have much to tell you with little time.” The mare said, beckoning Sol closer.

“Eses again with the dream walkin. I’m too tired for this shi-” Sol stopped when he was pulled closer to the green mare.

“I am Gaia, The true owner of the Temple you were brought to. You aren’t supposed to be here and that is why we must speak. Unless you would rather continue to lose yourself?” Gaia mused tilting her head. Sol huffed and sat down in front of her.

“I’m all ears, green lady,” Sol said bluntly. Making Gaia laugh.

“Finally, See about getting you home” Said Gaia standing up and poking the nub on Sol's forehead.

Author's Note

Lets get our boy back to his mare friends eh? Momma Gaia gon make things right.
(If you see any errors lemme know. I do my best to edit but I'm only human! <3)