Fallout Equestria: Desperados V3 (Bonds of Platinum)

Fallout: Equestria

Desperado’s V3: Bonds of Platinum

Ch 10, A Black Flag, Part 2.

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Though the beer was rather weak, I wasn't that big of a pony, so I was feeling a bit buzzed along our way back to the Desperados camp. Azure was a big help getting other stallions to back off as trotted, as the sight of the glowing crab pony quickly killed any desire to convince me to have sex with them. And those who had other motivation would be convinced to try somepony else by the barrel of Order’s guns.

It was rather funny, and personally I didn't mind the attention, I just wished it wasn't from malnourished and likely diseased ponies.

“Hay Azure, do your mares, or whatever your females are called have this problem?” I asked without thinking, only realizing how rude it must have sounded as soon as I asked it.

“Sometimes,” he said with a shrug. “Oh, and they're called either sooks or hens, where the males of my race are generally called Jimmies or cocks. Not the naming we gave to ourselves, since our native language consists of whistles and clicks.”

“Sooks and Jimmies,” I said with a chuckle. “Can't imagine what weird creatures came up with those names.”

“You don't even know half of it.” Azure said back cheerfully. “But as for displays of courtship, it's generally ill advised to get so aggressive with our sooks, as they tend to be a bit bigger and with a thicker shell. Normally two males will team up to court a female, building a nest and filling it with resources to impress her.”

“Two, why's that?” I asked.

“Simple, our females produce two eggs after molting. In which each male is given one to fertilize and protect.” Azure explained.

I let out a chuckle at that. “That sounds rather sweet, and a bit romantic. I wonder, are your females beautiful too, colorful or the like?”

Azure let out a pleased sounding chitter. “Well to my kind they are. They have long and bright fins, sometimes coming in a shifting of colors, and though most can't see it, theri chitin has beautifly iridescent stripes. If you ever see a proper Lurker sook in the right light, you'd be quite impressed, that's for sure.”

My mind drifted back to my friend Mayall, and how her contact with a small megaspell had changed her, making her bigger and her glow brighter. “I might have, or something close. Maybe you'll meet her someday, can't miss her with how she glowed pink and red brightly.”

He nodded. “It is fascinating though, how the Lurker here evolved independently from my own. Then again magic is involved, and thinking too hard about it might give me an aneurysm.”

We laughed again as we entered the camp, the foul smell of the city dieing down as the smell of motor oil took over. With the sun dipping over the horizon the Desperados had begun lighting their lamps. Most were either oil lamps burning fat, candles, or a few spark battery powered lights. There were a few fire barrels here and there providing light, warmth, and a place to cook food or boil water.

It was easy to tell apart the Desperados from Arras's herd and those from Swift's. As Arras's herd were doing most things themselves, forming groups made up of families helping each other. Swift's herd were layzing about as the tributaries did most, if not all the work. It did make some sense to me, as the tributaries were working to get favors from the Desperados for their own settlements, so I wasn't going to get all high and mighty about it.

Not that I have any room to talk.

Trotting through the camp, we made our way to Arras's tent, finding my friends and some of my companions there as Arras was once again cooking. This time it looked like ground up meat patties and the vegetables we had gotten from Percussion Cap's farm.

Unfortunately Swift was here too, along with his wife and her sister, the twin pirates. I didn't know how much they knew, or if they were in contact with either Victoria or Purity Spiral, but feeling out with my own magic, I knew they didn't have the evil eye.

“A bit more?” Fizzy asked Arras's, as she held a bottle of Sparkle-Cola Black.

The old ghoul chuckled. “Any more and I might start forgetting my age.”

“Didn't stop you the last time, now did it.” Fizzy replied as though it wasn't a disturbing thought.

“You’ve met Arras's befor, Fizzy?” I asked as I took a seat in our circle.

“And please don't tell us you boned a ghoul?” Star added.

Arras let out an annoyed huff at Star. “Now don't be rude, anyway, even if I wanted to, I don't quite have the tools for it any more.”

Star looked away, a bit ashamed. “Sorry, I didn't mean to bring up something so sensitive.”

The old ghoul laughed. “Oh don't apologize, I lost it over a hundred years ago. And it didn't work much before that anyhow. But ya, I met Fizzy when she was still in Ursas Rest, and she's still just as pretty as she was back then. If I was two hundred years younger and not married at the time, I'd certainly try and make her mine.

Fizzy blushed a little, or I think she did, hard to tell when she lets her mane cover so much of her face. “Always a charmer. Speaking of back then, how did it go with that friend of yours?”

“Got him safely back to his descendants. Not a fan of the Pear Valley Tribes keeping feral ghouls, but it was the decision he made if he ever did go feral.” Arras said as he raised his glass up high. “Personally, I want a fural by fire, and my ashes returned to Canterlot.” He looked solemn as he lowered his glass. “Originally I wanted my ashes returned to my family's shop, or given to my sister in Stable One, but…”

“Ya, I can empathize with that wish.” I said, remembering how much my family dreamed of returning to Canterlot, and restoring our ancestral home. Maybe one day, but it will need to be rebuilt brick by brick.

“As sad as it is, I find it romantic.” Fizzy then said with a smile. “Maybe you could have it rebuilt before you go, you do have the time for it.”

Arras paused for a moment, then burst out into laughter again. “That is true, and it would help keep my mind sharp for the next hundred years. By Tartarus, I could have pre-war Canterlot be rebuilt, with none of that Ministry nonsense.”

“What's stopping you?” Swift said, his cheeks flushed with booze. “Maybe it's time you let go of the Desperados and move on already. You and the other founders.” the Darkheart sister hung onto either side of him, one whispering in his ear as the other watched me.

Arras didn't look pleased with the suggestion, but didn't drop his smile. “Maybe you're right, it has been over two hundred years after all. But I'll need to talk with some old and new friends first. It has been years since I was last here after all. I'm sure they’ll have nothing but good to say about your leadership here, and that the Desperados are in good hooves.”

A chuckle came from several ponies here, with the most blatant being Star and Rack End, both mares not giving a shit if they pissed off the warchief.

“So we're taking advice from weaklings who hide on their hill now? Ponies who can't be bothered to patrol their own roads.” Swift said in annoyance.

“Watch your tone, son.” Arras said before sipping his drink, his gaze then turning over to me. “Speaking of talking to old friends, I heard you got to visit Magnificence. Much sooner than I had guessed, but you are an unusual mare after all. So tell me, what do you think of this place? Other than the smell, I can even smell the shit and my nose barely works anymore.”

Swift let out a huff as Hollow Darkheart served him a drink.

A cup was then passed to me by Fizzy, of which it was Sparkle-Cola with a hint of booze. “Sparkle-Rum. It's good.” She told me and I took a sip.

I was surprised to find the drink ice cold and carbonated, even more surprising was how smooth the rum was. As the warmth filled me, I let myself loose up a little. “Right, where should I start?”

Taking a moment to rack through my mind, it quickly became clear where I should start. “First off, who taught those ponies how to build structures? Some of the buildings were crumbling as we trotted through, and they can't be more than a few years old!”

“Told ya!” Rack End said with a chuckle. “Those wastelanders ain't shit when it comes to making anything. I knew they'd start cutting corners as soon as they could, it's why most of them choose to live in ruins then to make their own damn homes.”

Another laugh came from her oldest son, Tire Fire. The stallion had been scarce since we got here, likely bothering mares in a red light district. “Ya, remember those ponies that settled in our territory a few years back, the ones who said they could grow carrots. When we left they had some ramshackle hut to live in, and when we returned before winter, they were still in that hut shivering their flanks off. Oh, and all the carrots died.”

“Ugg, that was a headache. We had to take em to some other settlement so they wouldn't all freeze to death. I'm still sure they ate one of their own just to survive with how they had the shakes even after warming up.”

That was a horrendous thought, and one I didn't want to go further down.

“Right, the average wastelander isn't the best at… well all that much.” I said with a sigh. “Well that aside, the city is quite remarkable, all things considered. You got ponies from all over passing through, some even setting down here. With them, there are things being sold that I don't think you can find in most of the wasteland. Then there's the inner-city, which is like trotting into the past, and might be the closest thing to Canterlot other than the Marewaii skyport. Restaurants, a boutique, even the diner. Of which, we found a photo of you, Arras, from before the wasteland.”

The old ghoul smiled wide, though the teeth he had were either rotten or fake gold teeth. “Right, I think I remember that, Princess Majesty was having a veterans day at Clover Hill, and insisted that I and the old squad returned for it. It was… a very pleasant day.”

“And you were a stud back then!” Live Axle said a bit too excitedly.

Arras let out a sigh. “I was quite the stallion I admit. But time drags us all down sadly. Don't go thinking I'm weak because of it. I can still scrap with the best of em.”

“I bet you can.” I told him, but I wasn't all that sure about that. “Well, we also got acquainted with the different factions here, some good some… not so much.”

“As always, the Steel Rangers are shit when it comes to first impressions.” Live commentary.

“Wouldn't have been so bad if not for two numskulls throwing oil onto the fire.” Star added.

Swift didn't look pleased by the commentary, but kept any thoughts on the matter to himself.

“On the other hoof, both the Platinum Guard and the Coven of Clovers have been rather friendly. We also got to talk with some interesting Steel Rangers Scribes, who are currently looking after a Mirage pony.” I told Arras.

“Is that so, I might request for the po y to visit.” Arras said as he scratched his chin, then chuckled. “Mirage ponies are quite rare after all. Maybe we can save her from those tin cans bastards.“

“And get one of us killed as soon as they trot into their turf.” Swift spoke up. “Why even bother talking to those tin cans, they act all high and mighty while doing jack and shit for anypony. And have you forgotten what they've done, the ponies they killed just because they thought they knew better!”

“Don't go putting words in my mouth, Swift.” Arras's tone sounded frustrated as he spoke. “But now is not the time for old grudges. Not when we might be dealing with a greater threat.”

“You mean those so-called Equalists.” Swift said in an equally annoyed tone. “I'm still not convinced why we should even be listening to this zony half-acorn. She's not family, not real Desperados, and yet you're treating her as your favored granddaughter. To let an outsider in as an equal is just shameful, and one so willingly to talk with our enemies.”

Before Arras could snap back at his descendant, I spoke up for myself. “I don't deny any of that, nor do I seek to be a leader among you. It's only on Arras's recomondation that I aid him in the fight to come, and I trust his judgment. Anyways, there are more enemies out there then the Steel Rangers or the Equalists. Over a week ago we had another runin with Blue Skies, the same ponies who gladly took sheriff Ashy Oaks money and attempted to wipe out Arras's herd. This time they were attempting to dig up ancient Zebra weapons so to wipe out a farm. Those same weapons, of which I have no doubt, would be turned on the Desperados out of Quicktrot's spiteful nature.”

I then let out a sigh, remembering that clusterfuck. “We almost lost everypony, and it's only by luck any of us served. Even then, in our victory, I still have the feeling that she will be back, and come after everyone here even harder.” My eyes then drifted to Swift, but only for a moment and I changed the focus to another threat. “There's also the issue with Thorns Chosen, and how they've been infiltrating the wasteland.”

That got Darkheart sisters attention, the twins perking their ears in my direction and they continued to pamper Swift.

“Right, you have mentioned then being a major issue we might have to deal with.” Arras said, the look in his face clearly showing he knew where I was going with this. “But that's only once we get near the coastline, unless you're suggesting that they're moving inland now. It would be troubling if they were found this far inland.”

“Baa! Now you're fretting over a mere cult.” Swift scoffed. “What next, panicking over a nightmare.”

This hog headed fool didn't know how to shut up?

“Hay now, the Chosen aren't some mere cult, I mean, it's all over the seven seas.” Star protested. “I mean ya, they're following the words of a false prophet, but underestimating them is really dangerous.”

“And how would you even know! A savage like you can't even comprehend the brilliance of Thorn Redrum, much less-” Hollow Darkheart spoke up, but was interrupted by her sister.

“That's enough, sister!” Lair Darkheart said sternly.

Star rolled her eyes. “I grew to the sky readin' the 'oly text as a true blood blackwater pony. Who be ye, an' what connections do ye 'ave with em?”

I face hoofed at hearing Star's Blackwater accent, it coming out thick and unintelligible.

Hollow Darkheart chuckled. “Oh, so you're one of them, the leftover trash of the fleets. No wonder you lost faith, as trash always finds ways to disappoint.”

Star shot up, and I knew she was about to use her evil eye, but I couldn't have this escalating out of control. “Order, block Star!”

Order quickly flew over, and obstructed her view of the twins.

“Please sit down, Star.” I asked calmly.

She did just that, looking annoyed and ready for a fight. Everypony else was now more on edge, but not enough to stop most of them from eating and drinking.

Arras pressed his hooves to the temples of his head, clearly annoyed at having Azure's investigation proven true. “Swift, you call Thorns Chosen a mere cult, but then you married one of those cultists. So please don't tell me you made an alliance with Thorns Chosen.”

“And what of it!” Swift huffed out. “They may be a cult, but they've become our best tributary, unlike all those other fools who ran off. I say let them believe what they want, and we get the supplies to crush what is clearly an uprising, and not an invasion like some outsider believes.”

Star looked over at me, whispering “He can't be this dumb?”

I shrugged and whispered back. “Looks like he is.”

“And even if you are right, Swift isn't a pushover.” Hollow Darkheart said as nuzzled her husband. “He will deal with this threat rather easily.”

“Along with the backing of our family, victory cannot be denied.” Lair Darkheart spoke up. “You have seen the weapons, the well polished ones. We provided the warband with them, and can provide even more. Better yet, they aren't over two hundred year old obsolete hunks of steel like you've provided. With the warbands strength and our weapons combined, only fools would dare change us.”

They were laying it on thick with their praising of Swift, but the warchief was clearly eating it up with how smug his smile looked.

Lair Darkheart then smirked at me, “and what about you, do you have any claim to strength, the resource to push back any threat. Or are you just playing a wasteland hero?”

Hollow Darkheart chuckled. “Unlikely, if she's associated with Blackwater trash.”

My ear then twitched as I began to realize something, and I looked over at Star, giving her the look that let her know that I still had more to say before letting her way her own piece. “You say Blackwater trash, then am I to assume you're not associated with anypony from there?”

Hollow rolled her eyes. “No way we would ever lower ourselves to relying on Buccaneers. The clergy may like using them, but we of the old families are above their dirty hooves.”

An annoyed sigh then came from Lair. “Sister, could you watch your tongue for a moment.” Her eyes then shifted to me, and I could see a slight shine in them from under her vale. “Let's cut to the chase, Miss Harp, whom did you assume we were associated with? Is it someone related to your companion here, another Blackwater dreg?” She moved a hoof in a dismissive motion as she asked, as though wanting this over and done with already.

We were already this far in, so it was no use back out now. “A Bishop Purity Spiral and a Commodore Victoria Rosary. Those two and their Corps Brigade have crossed us before, and done something unforgivable to my friend.”

Both twins went silent for a moment, glancing at each other before bursting out into laughter.

“Oh, so that's what's going on!” Lair said through her laughter. “So ya had a runin with that fallen noble from the clergy and her hounds.”

“Sister, didn't she get scrubbed from the grand fleet because of her association with those heretics.” Hollow asked her sister. “Even old Flintlock didn't want her, and that mare is as power mad as they come.”

“True sister, so very true.” Lair then lifted up her well manicured hoof. “We pureblood Privateers especially don't associate with upstart trash like them if we can help it. And we certainly don't answer to the clergy.” Both mares then removed her headdress, revealing two horns on their heads. The bicorn looked at me with a predatory hunger, of which I couldn't look away. “We only answer to ourselves, as any good Privateer should.”

I… didn't know how to respond to this, as I was fully expecting them to be Purity Spiral's spies. Not something different entirely.

The two mares, despite being nearly identical, were very different. Hollow, who had eyes of gold, had a bit more than a healthy amount of makeup on, with a glossy mane done up in ringlets, and plenty of gem encrusted jewelry. Were Lair, who had silver eyes, had the beir minimum of makeup on, a mane dun up in a fohawk that flowed into a tail, and simple gold rings for jewelry, along with even more gold and silver coins decorating her. Where Hollow came off as a very feminine lady, Lair gave off the feel of a very pretty gentlecolt.

“Excuse me.” Azure then spoke up. “I believe something has been lost in translation. You call yourselves Privateers, as in pirates who've been given a letter of mark. Am I to guess this relates to your ancestors, and they just kept the titles.”

Hollow looked taken aback, but Lair answered quickly. “Ay, that is correct. Our ancestors come from the Barbary Islands, not Equestria. We are true pure bloods, unlike that Buccaneer dredge next to you.” She pointed at Star, who now looked a bit more calm, if bemused by her taunting. “For many generations we were mercenaries of the seas, paid by nations to attack their rivals or to smuggle goods. We made plenty of gold during the great war, enough that we were able to build our own empire on the sea. Which isn't much different from the Desperados.”

Arras let out a groan. “That explains the attitude, and what rubbed me the wrong way with you two. You're the descendants of the assholes who started the great war in the first place.”

“What!?” I and several others shouted.

“It's not a good story.” Arras began. “An Equestria cruise ship nere Zebra waters was attacked by pirates, who attended to take the ship to the Barbary Island to hold as ransom. The Zebra Empire went in to deal with it, but the Wonderbolts got their first, embarrassing the Zebras. From there it slowly devolved into war.”

“We neither confirm or deny such accusations.” Hollow said with a smile.

Arras shrugged. “Matters not, it was just the spark, the whole relationship between Equestria and the Zebra Empire was already bad.”

“Right, so the Privateers are the original pirates from before the war, and I guess the Buccaneers are the ponies who came after.” Azure further probed.

Hollow let out another laugh. “They came begging for our help, or so the history books say. The holy text explains how they were led to us by Roseland, and how both our groups joined together.”

Lair rolled her eyes. “Not that they ever proved themselves worthy to fight besides us. By the locker, it was our ancestors who salvaged Avalon as the buccaneers just sat by and watched. Then the Redrum family took all the credit, and made the floating port into their holy city.”

Now feeling more secure that the Corps Brigade weren't breathing down my neck, or at least not yet, I felt more at ease to ask. “So why are you and the… Privateers even doing out here?”

“To not let those damned Buccaneers and Clergy get ahead of us!” Lair spat out.

Hollow nodded. “Ever since Flintlock Hoof and her Grand Fleet staked her claim over the Marewaii Islands, she's gotten a big head, and have been moving onto Equestria. Even that steile whore she calls a daughter has been acting all high and mighty, calling herself Duchess Red Steel.”

“Even the Clergy has been calling for a crusade, sending their agents out here to search for lost relics.” Lair further explained. “They likely sent Purity Spiral out here just to get her to stop badgering the nobility to give over a daughter to marry that pretty useless son of hers.”

“So we have sent ponies to settle Equestria ourselves, along with making allies worthy of union.” Lair told us as she fed Swift his drink. “I do miss the ocean, but not enough to miss out on this fun.”

Azure then leaned over, whispering to me, “Sounds like the Chosen are prone to infighting, maybe best to use this to our advantage?”

I had to agree, as it meant that even if Purity Spiral was here, she didn't have allies with this group of pirates. Even if I couldn't trust them to watch my back, I could trust the Twins to not hoof me over to Purity Spiral. Though I would have to be worried about them trying to use me for their own gains.

Nothing new about that.

“Why not drink to that!” I spoke up loudly, picking up a nearby glass and raising it high. “To new friends and allies. May they prosper alongside us!”

The only pony to quickly join me was Slowtrot, who then looked confused as to why everypony else had not joined in.

Star then let out a sigh, raising a cup up. “So long as you're not with Victoria or Purity Spiral, I'll tolerate your existence.”

Lair let out an amused huff, lifting a glass herself. “That we are not, be sure of that. So to a future filled with gold.”

“And may we crush our enemies!” Hollow called out.

“All our enemies!” Swift cheered.

Arras then lifted up his own glass as everypony watched him. “Then I too shall toast, but to the quick resolution to the conflict up in the west, and that our warriors return to their families alive.”

With that we all drank, the tension in the air fading rapidly.

As the sweet liquid rushed down my throat, soon a burning sensation ran up it. Coughing from the surprise, severe ponies laughed as I released I shot more alcohol down my throat. The warmth was almost instant as the fuzziness from the beer before returned, but stronger.

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Time went on as the sun disappeared over the horizon, our shadows dancing on the tents from the light of our campfire. Slowly, pony by pony, our group dwindled. I stuck around, sipping on water as I slowly sobered up, with Star, Azure and Arras keeping me company.

Unfortunately Lair Darkheart stayed behind as well, her eyes shining in the light of the fire like some nocturnal beast. Her face was flushed with alcohol as she chewed on a partly cooked brahmin stake.

“Tell me.” I spoke up, the alcohol in my body making me feel more daring. “do you know of the city of Despoines?”

She chuckled back at me. “Ay, I've heard of it. An old legend, but only that.” She then cocked her head at us. “Why would an Equestria pony know or care about the ancient legends of my kin? A city built by the pale mare Despoine, and then named after her. The first city of ponies, and where we gained the name of ponies from. Legends say, those who make it to Despoines will have all questions answered, and be driven mad by it.” Lair then shot the rest of her drink down her throat, and again chuckled. “But I was under the Idea that the ponies of Equestria had forgotten all about the ancient legends.” She then looked at Star, and again chuckled even more. “Wait, blue one, you do resemble some assholes I know?”

“The Alginate family you mean?” Star said.

Lair's eyes opened wide. “Ah Yes, that's it, you look just like those fucking Kelpies. So who's bastard are ya? The patriarch I bet, as he is known to enjoy his whores.”

Star let out a huff, but didn't look all that bothered by it. “No, my father is his eldest son, Dead Reckoning.”

She then burst out into laughter. “Oh, now that makes sense! A bastard of a bastard, a whore from a whore I bet! Oh if the Alginate family knew, they'd blow a gasket, with how their new mistress has been killing all the bastards like it was her birth mission. Mother would love to meet you, if only to hold you over the bitch Setting Sun. All high and mighty because she's part bicorn, yet all trash.”

Star's eye then twitches as she lets out a groan. “By the goddesses, you gotta be shitting me!”

It took me a moment to realize Star's frustration, as the name Setting Sun was one Star knew all too well.

“Oh I know. Don't even know what her problem is with her husband's bastards, not like they're a threat since she's from the Barbary Islands. His previous wife's children are the real issue, backstabbers the lot of them.” Lair told us, chatting like any other mare over gossip.

“Well the thing is.” Star took a deep breath, clearly not all that comfortable with the subject. “Setting Sun is my mother. And she's from the Blackwater, and worse, she's Flintlock Hoof's eldest daughter.”

Lair dropped her cup, shock on her face. “No fucking way, you gotta be delusional.”

“It would explain why Purity Spiral wants Star.” Azure spoke up. I didn't know Lurkers could have flushed cheeks, but somehow he did. “Didn't make sense for her to want Star with how much removed she was from that family. But if she could be used to damage another family's reputation, then it makes sense.”

That got Lair to pause for a moment, then rubbed her temples together in frustration. “That makes too much sense to not be a lie. I’ll need to contact my mother about this. It's just too juicy not to investigate.” She then smiled wide, showing us her naturally enlarged fags. “Now you got to tell me more!”

“Well, that's my signal for me to leave, gossip is just not a stallion's place.” Arras said as he got up.

I decided to join him, as it was now very late.

Trotting along with only small fires providing us light, the green glow in Arras's eyes was far more noticeable, giving him a somewhat unnerving visage. Yet the look in his eyes was no less hard or caring. “What do you think? Of the pirates… or Privateers as they called themselves?” I asked him.

Arras shrugged as he looked back at Star and Lair, the two seemingly enjoying eachothers company. “I don't rightly know. The only time I even met any Privateers was during a bar fight, and when a group attempted to foal-nap Princess Majesty.”

“Wait, they did what?” I said in shock, but keeping my voice low.

“Oh ya. My guess is that the Zebras paid them to do it, but we never found any evidence of it. For all we know it was the Saddle Arabians who paid, and wanted to stage a rescue so that they could carry more favor with Equestria.” He then chuckled. “It was like an actual adventure from a shlock movie, down to us in some odd outfits and even a sword fight. In the end Majesty literally payed them to fuck off.”

“As for the bar fight.” Arras took a moment to scratch his chin. “Originally we weren't even involved. The Navy had invited us for drinks after transporting us and the Princesses. She gave them a private show on the ship, you see. The navy bar happened to currently be serving a crew of Privateers, who took more of an offense to the Princesses than anything. Ancient blood feuds from how she explained it. Well it became one big fucking brawl,” Arras then rubbed his jaw. “And them Privateers love to fight dirty. One of them gave me more stitches than any Zebra had throughout the whole war.”

“As for if we can trust em?” Arras said as he returned to the present, returning to my original question. “It's been well over two hundred years, and a lot can change. But I do remember that the ponies of the Barbary Island were known for their infighting. It's why Celestia wanted nothing to do with them, as she had fought with them before, long before the war, and they ruffled her feathers greatly. And that's not even mentioning the rumors of the dark rituals they perform there, if I remember correctly.”

“I think I understand.” I said, taking in his words carefully. The pirates were a cruel and chaotic bunch, and always have been, from the sounds of it. Likely stabbing each other in the back as they would us. Stil, something bothered me. “But what's with this old legend?”

“Despoine you mean?” Azure asked as he trotted over, the green glow of his fins seemingly brighter at night. “It's very different from the underwater city Slowtrots description. Though it could just be that Thorn named the city after the legend.”

I nodded. “Maybe, but there is just so much we don't know. At least we know the twins aren't a direct threat to us, though I wouldn't trust them.”

“Agree.” Azure said, “thoughts, It's probably best if we do not talk so openly about them, or your mission.”

I raised an eyebrow. “How so?”

“Just like Arras said, the Privateers are known for infighting. And if the Privateers, Buccaneers, and Clergy are all competing for power, then I doubt the other two don't like what those twins are doing here.” Azure explained.

“So back to classic cloak and dagger spie shit then.” Arras grumbled out.

They were right, and not just the pirates, but the Equalists and Blueskys must have their spie as well. “Ya, and there's no way we can know who's an enemy within the city.”

“Worse, even in camp it's going to be a problem.” Arras said with a cold certainty. “Swift's tributaries are from his territory, but there's no way we know if they're working for other powers, or were simply replaced.” The old ghoul then spat at the ground. “This is why I hate taking in tributaries to our camps. It always eventually ends in disaster.”

Thinking about it, he was right, where before everypony was family, now there were strangers in camp, all with their own goals, and almost none having loyalty to the Desperados. Maybe if Swift hadn't allied himself with the Privateers, then maybe things wouldn't feel so dangerous, but because he had, now it's for certain that we have spies. Of which, several must be reporting to Purity Spiral.

“Damnit, now it's going to be hard to get some sleep.” I complained.

Arras then hoofed a flask over to me. “Drink this, it should help you sleep.” He winked at me. “Trust me, I don't need to sleep as much as you do, and you're going to need to keep that mind of yours sharp.”

With a sigh I took it. “Thanks. But just don't push yourself too hard. If anything happened to you, I doubt the Desperados would be able to hold themselves together.”

“Actually, that's what scares me the most.” Arras said as he trotted off.

As the old ghoul disappeared into the darkness I turned to Azure, “How about you, what's your opinion on all this?”

“From my own experience, where there is power, there are corrupt people who seek it, or good people corrupted by it.” He said before looking over at me with his cross shaped pupils. “That said, other than the city itself and the trade routes, there isn't much here for those people to desire it. At least not enough to get outside powers to cause any problems. At least that's as much as I know, and not accounting for yourself.”

“So… as long as I keep a low profile, everything should be fine?” I asked, on the verge of hoping.

But the Lurker didn't look sure as he looked at me. “If everything goes well, then this story will remain a boring slice of your life. Though I suggest you keep your revolver loaded and ready. Fortune may favor the bold, but survival always favors the prepared.”

I nodded. “Yes, that makes sense. The last thing I need is to be caught off guard, like with Quicktrot. No guarantee we will get out alive like that again.”

We then parted ways. Even though I doubt any mare would be overly bothered by him in our tent, Azure had been insistent to follow proper manners, and chose the stallion's tent. So finding my spot, after having to climb over a few mares, I layed down to sleep.

But with how my mind wouldn't stop thinking, I opened up Arras's flask, and drank everything inside. The nocuse content was almost surip-like, and I neatly gagged. Yet whatever it was did its job, and I quickly became drowsy, dropping the flask and curling myself up tight. I then prayed to Celestia that tomorrow will be a boring day as I drifted off to sleep.

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