My little pony:Adventure of Seresia

Gazing at the tranquil sea for hours, the lookout perched high atop the ship's mast began to feel bored. He retrieved a small toy from his pocket, fiddling with it briefly to pass the time. Aside from scanning the surroundings for safety hazards like reefs or islands, the lookout had been entrusted by Meng Yu with one critical mission: to remain vigilant for the stolen fast ship.

Taking a sip from the water pouch slung over his shoulder, the lookout glanced up at the sky. The bright midday sun glimmered in the cloudless blue expanse, marking the approach of the afternoon. A faint dot emerged on the distant sea as he returned his gaze to the horizon.

He tried to discern it more clearly by squinting and shading his eyes with a hoof. Unsatisfied, he grabbed his spyglass and peered through it, and there it was—the stolen fast ship. His heart leaped; after days of tracking, he had finally spotted it.

Without hesitation, the lookout leaped from the crow’s nest, diving swiftly toward the deck below. Just as his face was about to meet the wooden boards, he unfurled his wings, breaking with precision and adding a flourish by lightly grazing the deck in an elegant arc. His landing brought him directly before the Chancellor’s quarters. Knocking swiftly, he entered the room. The impressive maneuver had not gone unnoticed; Rainbow Dash, just stepping out of the cabin, stared in amazement, her eyes sparkling at the display of skill.

"Reporting, Chancellor! We’ve sighted the stolen fast ship, approximately three to five nautical miles away," the lookout announced respectfully, his voice carrying restrained excitement as he saluted.

“Excellent!” Meng Yu exclaimed, slamming her book shut and rising abruptly from her seat, unable to mask the excitement in her eyes.

"Give the order: dispatch three fast ships from the left and right flanks to intercept. Ensure she is captured."

“As you command, Chancellor!” The lookout saluted again and left swiftly to relay the orders. Meng Yu, meanwhile, carefully placed her book aside and pondered briefly. Ultimately, she decided to inform Twilight of the news. Although it would likely lift Twilight’s spirits and ease her burdens, Meng Yu couldn’t guarantee they would successfully capture Feng Chen in one attempt.

When she arrived at Twilight’s quarters, she was deep in a Go game with Jin Yun. Twilight sat silently across from Jin Yun, her face tense as she stared intently at the black-and-white stones on the board. Following Meng Yu's instructions, Jin Yun was assigned to keep Twilight company during the voyage, which offered a distraction from the monotony of life at sea.

Before them lay a Go board, a centuries-old pastime from Seresia combining relaxation with strategy. Though a novice, Twilight was progressing rapidly and had developed a fondness for the game. Even Spike watched the match in rapt attention from the side. Meng Yu hesitated to interrupt, opting to observe quietly from the doorway.

When Jin Yun noticed Meng Yu, she moved to rise and bow, but Meng Yu waved a hoof, signaling her to continue. Jin Yun acknowledged the gesture with a subtle nod and resumed the game. Twilight, taking her time with every move, placed her next stone after long deliberation. In stark contrast, Jin Yun played quickly, her competitive spirit shining through with each move.

Eventually, Meng Yu found it hard to keep watching. The emperor had sent Jin Yun and her brother Jin Yang to escort and protect her on this voyage. Jin Yun was efficient and decisive, even surpassing her brother in some ways. However, she had one fatal flaw: her overly competitive solid spirit. Despite Meng Yu's repeated attempts to temper it, her efforts had yielded little success.

Meng Yu deliberately cleared her throat softly, prompting Jin Yun to turn her head toward her. Jin Yun seemed to grasp the unspoken message in just a few seconds of silent eye contact. Her aggressive intent visibly softened, and Twilight's tightly furrowed brows finally eased. She still lost the game but didn’t let it discourage her.

“Meng Yu? Oh, I didn’t notice you! I got so focused on the game,” Twilight said apologetically, rising to greet Meng Yu and guiding her to a seat.

“Thank you for having Jin Yun teach me Go. Even though I keep losing, it’s such a fascinating game!”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying it,” Meng Yu chuckled. After some lighthearted conversation, she shifted to the main topic.

“Twilight, I have some good news. We’ve located Feng Chen’s trail. I’ve already dispatched ships to intercept her.”

“Really? Where is she now?!” Twilight shot up from her seat, eyes fixed on Meng Yu, desperate for confirmation.

“She’s just a few nautical miles ahead of the fleet.”

“Please, take me to see it right away!”

Following Meng Yu's guidance, Twilight approached the ship's bow. Taking the spyglass offered by Meng Yu, she peered into the distance. There, on the horizon, she spotted the stolen ship. Surrounding it in a V-shaped formation were six swift ships in hot pursuit, steadily closing in on their target. It wouldn’t be long before they could intercept the fugitive.

Seeing this sight, Twilight felt a wave of relief wash over her. The tension that had gripped her heart for days finally began to ease. She couldn't help but wish she were aboard one of those swift ships, taking matters into her hooves to capture Feng Chen. Then, she could return to Equestria with her friends and convene with the other princesses to decide Feng Chen's fate.

But fate has a way of toying with ponies, offering a glimmer of hope only to snatch it away with cruel precision. A thick, white mist suddenly began to form on the horizon.

Within mere moments, it grew and spread, engulfing the expanse of the sea like a colossal white beast poised to devour the ships below. Under the watchful eyes of all aboard, the mist crept steadily toward the fleet, its presence both ominous and inescapable.

Upon witnessing this development, Meng Yu’s heart sank with a sense of foreboding. She had hoped that Feng Chen would surrender peacefully and not make a reckless move. Yet, as she feared, Feng Chen's ship, undeterred, plunged directly into the thick mist, vanishing from sight almost instantly. Meng Yu knew such sudden fog was often riddled with hidden dangers and treacherous terrain. To enter it unthinkingly was to court disaster, risking the ship and all aboard to the peril of the sea.

Realizing the situation, Meng Yu immediately ordered the fleet's pursuit to stop. A nearby signal officer swiftly carried out her command, igniting a flare at the ship's prow. A burst of light shot skyward, and with a loud *bang*, it erupted into a massive cloud of red smoke—a clear signal to the entire fleet to cease their chase.

Twilight’s disbelief turned to anger. “Why are we stopping?! Feng Chen was within reach! Why let her escape?!”

Meng Yu remained silent for a moment, staring into the thickening mist. Finally, she sighed and spoke.

“I’m sorry, Twilight. I want to capture Feng Chen as much as you do, but you don’t understand. Sailing into that fog is perilous. Ships could easily lose their way or crash into hidden reefs. The risk to our fleet is too unimaginable.”

“But we were so close! Just one final push, and we could’ve succeeded!” "Ambassador, are you willing to let Feng Chen escape like this?"Twilight protested, her voice trembling.

"How dare you speak to the Chancellor like that!?" Before Meng Yu could respond, Jin Yun, standing beside her, took the initiative to attack: "The Chancellor has her plans for what to do, and you have no right to speak out of turn and make malicious speculations!”

"That's enough!!" Meng Yu turned her head and scolded, causing Jin Yun to swallow the words on the tip of her tongue and lower her head without saying a word.

"I would like to lead the capture myself, but I am not alone. Beneath my hooves are thousands of lives. With a single command, they would follow me into fire and water. I understand how you feel, Twilight, but as the captain of a thousand ships, I must ensure their safe return home, not to put them in harm’s way." Mengyu said, turning to look at Twilight. She offered a look of apology, but there was more resignation in her expression than anything else.

After explaining, she fell silent, her gaze distant as she contemplated the weight of her responsibilities.

“Then please, Ambassador, lend me a ship. Let me go after Feng Chen myself!”