The Apprentice

   Earlier that day, Twilight tried to find some information on how to break dimensional fabrics, but even her great collection was missing the book on that. What she did find was largely intangible, as the little information she had access to was mostly wild theories and speculation.

   We finished our studies for the day, then Twilight, Spike, and myself went to bed, even though it was still an hour or two before midnight.

   I was laying on my bed, reading "The Transitions of Elements." After I finished the passige on how air can turn into lightening, I put the tome down, then blew out the candle on my bed stand.

   It was hard falling asleep, as I was full of thoughts about home. Although I was starting to like staying with Twilight, I was still very homesick. I missed my family, my friends at my community college, and most of all, I missed my little sister. That little rascal always brightened up my day.

   I promised myself I would watch over her, always be there to make sure she forever had that smile of hers on, no matter what it took. Every moment I spent there, was a moment I broke that promise.

  With a sigh, I painfully forced myself to sleep; and after what felt like all night, I finally fell into the depths of rim.

                                                                                            ***

   It was early in the morning, the sun's light was peeping through the blue curtains that blocked the window to the left of the room. The room was normal in size, someone was sleeping in a bed that was settled in the middle of the room.

   A redheaded man, dressed in a full navy uniform, walked in.

   "Hay champ, get up!"

   The man spoke with a light Irish accent.

   The person sleeping rolled over to his left on the bed, obviously trying to ignore the man.

   "Come on skipper, up and at them, or you're gonna miss navy history!"

   The man in uniform walked to the left end of the room, then opened the curtains that kept the sun's light out. He walked back over to the left bed side, then bent down. He had a sad look on his face.

   "Hey bud, I know you're not feeling great right now, and your movement isn't so great either, but don't you want to ride a destroyer?"

   The person's head shot up from the covers. He looked like a teen boy, whose age could hardly be over 19. His brown hair stuck up on one side, and his soft brown eyes squinted from the sun's stinging light.

   "Huh? There is no way they will let me board your ship Liam; and besides, even if I said yes, you could lose your spot as Lieutenant if anyone found me aboard, and I will not risk that."

   The boy however, had almost no accent, and spoke crisply.

   He gave the boy a wink.

  "Let your big brother worry about the navy brass, you just make sure you're ready for something special."

   Liam's features betrayed his seemingly calm demeanor, as he looked at his brother with worry in his eyes.

   "How do you feel bud? Do you need help lifting yourself up?"

   "No I'm fine for now, thanks."

   The boy rose from the bed, then Liam helped him make the covers neat.

   "Need me to help with your clothes?"

   "No, I think I'm good today."

   He gave him a thumbs up. "See? There's the skipper I know, tough as nails! Now, do you want the usual  for breakfast? Eggs, bacon, and coffee?"

   The boy nodded yes, while walking to his closet. Inside were an assortment of clothing, shirts, pants, and a very interesting coat was hanging to his right. He reached for it, then ran his hand inside its left pocket. He brought out a piece of folded paper. When the boy opened it, it had finely hand written words on its inner surface.

May 5, 1939.

"Akaiem, my grandson. I hope this letter finds you in good health.

By the time you read this, I will have lead my last charge. Don't let the end of this old man's story ruin yours, for all is not yet lost my boy. Even while I lay in this cursed hospital bed, there is still one last card this old general can play.

First Akaiem, I leave to you all my prize things:

My 1911 pistol.

My trench greatcoat.

My old pipe, and don't smoke it please. It's a nasty habit, take an old man's word for it.

My medals, with my dog tags.

And, my old pocket watch. This old war horse, has been passed down our family since the civil war. Now, this piece of legacy is yours to carry boy.

Second, I will also leave to you the secret behind them.

You see, that is not just a 1911, that is not just a trench coat, and those are not just trinkets or an old watch, they were all my friends. They kept me safe through that hell in europe, and now they will keep *you** safe my boy; since old Owen won't be here much longer, to watch over the best grandson he could ask for, I now leave these things to watch over you.*

Third, be sure to live a long healthy life, as it is part of my final grand strategy, for you to become something truly great.

Fourth, If all else fails, no matter what, Faugh a Ballagh , and always trust your gut.

Finally, know that your grandpa loves you more then you know. Goodbye my boy.

Your Grandfather, Owen."

   Akaiem's eyes burned with tears, as he whispered. "I am sorry Grandpa, I fear I have failed to uphold my end."

   Liam saw the hesitation, when Akaiem went to grasp Owen's greatcoat. "I miss him too bud."

   He had a look of thought for a moment, then he smiled.

"Hey why don't you bring his stuff on board with ya? The whole get up! Who knows, maybe it will rub off a sense of fashion on some of my crew mates." He laughed lightly.

   Akaiem smiled. "Yeah, I think he would like that."

   Liam walked out of the room, while Akaiem got fully dressed.

   Akaiem walked out when Liam called that breakfast was ready, Liam got a look at the full battle dress that his Grandfather wore during the Great War.

   "Whoa, looking daper skipper!" He stood at attention, then gave Akaiem a crisp salute.

"Now you're ready to command the allied forces right into the heart of the reich sir! But, it's the advice of your Lieutenant, to never start a campaign without breakfast, especially before you go crushing the nazi war machine."

   Liam laughed with a large smile on his face.

   Akaiem just rolled his eyes. "At ease "Lieutenant," if you let out any more hot air, we will end up invading Berlin in a flying house."

   He nodded his head while chuckling. "That's brilliant skipper! The Krauts will never suspect that."

   Akaiem just looked at him. "They're Germans, not food Liam."

   Liam smiled. "You are what you eat little bro."

   He sat down, with Akaiem then shaking his head, at the table.

   After they both ate, they walked outside towards the left of what looked like a beach house. There parked near the road, was a military issue GPW.

   "I sure don't remember Philadelphia being this cold, it's only Autumn." Liam was rubbing both his arms with his hands.

   They both got into the Jeep, while Liam started the engine.

"We were on our way to Norfolk Virginia with three other ships, but the admiral leading us there had to make a quick pit stop here."

   Liam backed out of the drive way, then started driving down the street towards the docks.

   Akaiem gave Liam a look of question. "Why? Were you low on fuel? Ammo?... Alcohol?"

   Liam cracked up, then gave Akaiem a silly serious look. "A sailor running out of hard drink?! Why, that is unheard of!"

   He shook his head while still laughing.

"Haha, no no, nothing like that, navy men are not allowed to drink when on duty. If you're ever on a ship in combat, and you make just one wrong step, you would be gone faster then a shot of whisky during RNR."

   They stopped in front of a red light, then Liam gave his brother a mischievous wink.

"Now, the real reason is a surprise. Sorry champ, but you will just have to wait and see."

   After about twenty minutes of driving, they arrived at the docks. Liam helped Akaiem out of the Jeep, then waved an arm at the mob of sailors near one of the massive destroyers.

   "Ahoy there! Our skipper has arrived boys!"

   The words USS Eldridge was painted in bold white near the bow. Strange large cables hung from the ships sides, they looked like huge black christmas tree light cables, just without the lightbulbs.

   They both made their way over to the ship, were the mob waited while cheering and clapping. "Skipper, skipper, skipper!"

   They all surrounded both brothers, as Liam introduced his brother to the whole crew.

"Fellas, this is my little brother Akaiem. Akaiem, this is the whole crew of the best vessel that ever sailed the seven seas, the USS Eldridge. Say hey fellas!"

   They all cheered out. "Welcome aboard Akaiem!"

   They both made their way aboard the ship, as the other crew members followed closely behind.

   Once on board, Liam faced Akaiem, then spoke.

   "We have a few hours before we get orders to ship off, so, we have plenty of time for a tour!"

   "You're leaving already? But, you just got here." Akaiem looked slightly irked by this news.

   "Oh no, not for at least two more days. We are suppose to test out some new kind of ship upgrade later today!"

   Liam moved his head in closer to Akaiem, then whispered.

   "Word is little brother, it's some kind of Tesla, or Einstein machine that makes ships invisible!"

   His eyes went wide. "What? Tesla AND Einstien, really, no joke?!"

   He held his hand over his heart.

   "A Lieutenant never lies, but I don't want to get your hopes too high just yet, since, it is just a rumor after all you know."

   He gave the boy a sly look.

"However, most of the crew and I have seen a bunch of egg heads in white coats walking around the ship, and an older man was with them, he looked like Einstein himself. He even had that crazy looking hair of his."

   "No way, Einstein was here?"

   "Pretty sure of it. Yesterday, the whole crew were at attention on the top deck, when we saw the egg heads talking to him, while walking down deck towards the stern of the ship. So that was why I was late getting home last night, the whole crew was getting briefed on the exercise for today."

   The other sailors there all nodded their heads yes.

   "Did you see those large cables, hanging from the sides of the ship while on dock?" Liam had a look of cunning, like he knew something Akaiem did not.

   "The big black ones? Yes, why?" Akaiem rose his right eye brow slightly.

   "The egg heads put them there, two days after we came to dock."

   He lowered his brow, then put his hand on his chin in thought. "That is interesting."

   Liam, continued.

"Anyway, that is only half of the surprise! You not only get to be on board to see it, but you get to hit the switch that turns the sucker on!"

   "Whoa, that's so neat! Thanks-" Akaiem stopped in mid sentence, then his face soured to one of disappointment.

   "Liam?"

   He looked at him. "Yeah champ? Ready to get started? This ship won't tour itself you know." He had a big smile on.

   "Is what the doctors said before the reason why you're being so nice?"

   His smile slowly dropped away, then he started to look at the floor, while scratching the back of his head.

   "Uh, I didn't mean to-" Akaiem cut him off.

   "I knew it. So, it took me only having a few years left to live, for you to start acting like the brother I always needed?"

   Most of the other sailors cleared their throats. Sensing where that was going, they all scattered, then went about the ship in random directions.

   Liam, had a pain ridden expression on his face.

"Akaiem look, I know I have not been a very good brother to you, but after dad died in the bombing at Pearl Harbor, I just..."

   "You just picked up, then joined the navy, you left me to be with mom, here, alone. That's what you did. Now you want to just come back and act like it never happened?" Akaiem's tone was kept, but the heat of his anger could have been felt down the hallway.

   Liam's eyes started to water a little.

"Akaiem, I just don't want my mistake to be the last image you see of me. I don't want you to leave everything seeing me as the how-not-to-be-a-brother figure. I just want to give you something special to hold on to, that's all. I never meant you harm, I am so sorry."

   Akaiem put his hand on Liam's shoulder. "You already gave me something special, you gave me my brother back."

   Liam sighed with a look of relief, then he hugged Akaiem.

   "Ow, ow, ow, ow! Easy there!"

   "Oh damn! Sorry champ, I forgot about your muscle pains."

   "It's alright." He dusted himself off. "So, when does the tour start?"

   His brothers smile returned in full bloom. "Right now skipper!"

   He let out a sharp whistle, then all the other sailors from before popped their heads out of random corridors dotting down the long hallway through the ship, while  they all cheered. "Yeah!"

   "YEAH! Let's tour the shit out of this boat!"

   All the other sailors just shot spitefull looks back at the man standing in the middle of the hallway.

   "Chad, you just had to open your mouth, huh?" A sailor with a scar over his eye said.

   "Oh shit, sorry Akaiem, bad habbits die hard!" Chad yelled from down the hall.

   The sailor with a blue shirt just rolled his eyes. "You jackass, just shush already."

   Liam and the other sailors took Akaiem, and toured around the whole ship. It was just as huge on the inside, as it was on the outside. They spent hours walking down metal hallways, and plate steel stares. They got to see the engine room, the turrets both inside and out, then they went to see the bridge.

   A bell rang, then Liam looked at Akaiem. "Hear that? It's lunch time, so let's go tour the mess hall!"

   The other sailors cheered, "Grub, grub, grub," while following close behind Liam and Akaiem to the mess hall.

   Steel doors, with port holes in the middle for windows, blocked their path though to the mess hall.

   A middle aged dark coloured man unlocked one of the doors, then peeked out and smiled.

   "There's the skipper!" He whistled sharply. "Your look'n sharp boss, and I bet your hungry right?"

   Akaiem nodded yes.

   "Well you came at the right time, lunch is ready, so come on in! I hope you brought your appetite, cause there's plenty for everyone."

   Liam cast the man a look. "We heard the bell, Henry."

   Henry chuckled, while shaking his head. He opened the door, then gestured for everyone to come in.

   The mess hall was like a full cafeteria. It had a wide range of differant foods: like soup, meats, vegetables, and more. Henry seemed like a nice guy. He was funny too, as he would make sound effects when he would put food on your plate, while going down the serving line.

   "BAM! There you go boss, enjoy." He had a big smile on.

   Akaiem smiled. "Thanks Henry."

   Liam, followed by Akaiem, as well as much of the other sailors near by,  sat down at one of the big tables.

   After they ate, Akaiem started shifting in his seat, then he touched his brother's shoulder to get his attention.

   "Um, Liam? Were are the bathrooms?"

   He pointed over to the steel doors they came from an hour ago.

   "Just go through those doors again, and take your first left. You can't miss it."

   He got up, then walked out of the mess hall.

   While he walked down the hallway, he heard some voices in front of him. He walked onward, as the voices grew louder.

   They came from a room to his right, he saw the door was ajar. The boy's curiosity got the better of him, as he peeked into the crack through the door. There -standing in the middle of the room- were two men.

   One was in what looked like a full navy formal uniform, decorated in white and black, with gold braids that hung from his shoulders, and a multitude of campaign ribbons across his left chest. He had black hair with streaks of white going though it. He had a disingenuous smile on, towards the other man.

   He spoke in a mild gentleman like tone of voice.

   "Now Lieutenant, you know as well as I the importance of what we are doing here. Remember, the Minister of Defense himself ordered this done, and he appointed me as the head of this project. Now wipe all records of the USS Eldridge from ever having been docked here in Philadelphia, and, don't leave any trace of this ship having taken part in this project. Is that understood, Lieutenant?"

   His tone was also soft, as if he were addressing a child.

   The other man had blonde hair, and freckles dotting his face. He wore a less attractive plain white uniform, and also had a guilt stricken look on his face.

   "Yes, Sir, but this can't be right, these men don't deserve this, Sir. They did not sign up for this ... and nether did I, Admiral."

   The Admiral's smile went to a small frown.

   "Aw, but remember, Lieutenant, this is the military life. We own you, and we get to put you through whatever suits our fancy. These men know what signing up really means, that they are signing their lives away, for their country, of course. Now, are your orders understood? Or will I just have to find someone ... more capable of fulfilling this country's needs?"

   The Lieutenant just hanged his head down, then replied in a low tone. "Understood, Sir..."

   The Admiral put his uniform cap on, then turned to walk towards the door.

"Glad you finally see reason. I expect to hear the full report tomorrow."

   He turned his head to face the Lieutenant, then grinned.

"Oh yes. and welcome to the military life. I am sure you will fit in perfectly."

   He turned back, then stopped in mid stride, as he glared right at the crack in the ajar door.

"My my, looks like someone can't keep his nose to his own business. That's very rude indeed."

   Akaiem took off, moving to his right down the hallway, in as brisk a pace as his stiff muscles would allow. As he cleared the right corner, he heard a voice call out to him.

   "Hey Akaiem, where's the fire? You need to take it easy."

   Akaiem looked to his right, and down that hallway, back towards the mess hall, stood Liam.

   "Liam! Quick, we need to get out of here! He's going to catch us!"

   The Irish sailor looked worried. "Whoa, slow down champ. Who's going to catch us?"

   Akaiem had a desperate look. "No time Liam! We have to-"

   Liam's face froze into a frightened look, as his eyes focused on something in the hallway behind Akaiem. He then grabbed Akaiem, while dashing into a service room to their left.

   "I know you're here boy." The Admiral had a playful tone, while it seeped out a hint of malintent.

"So, you like to play games, hmmm? Hide'n seek? I love that game, adults play it too you know, but the ending to our version isn't as well spirited... Well, that depends on what side of the game you're on, of course."

   The Admiral chuckled.

   Liam whispered. "What is the Admiral doing here? He is not supposed to be here for at least another hour."

   "What is wrong with that man, Liam?" Akaiem looked afraid.

   "I don't know, something has always been off about him. He has always given me the creeps."

   Liam silently locked the door, with his hand on Akaiem's shoulder, he kept him to his right. They both stood inside that small storage room, waiting for the Admiral to move on.

   After a few minutes of waiting, Liam opened the storage room door, then looked outside both ways.

"Coast is clear skipper."

   He walked out into the hallway, then looked at his wrist watch. "Oh man, come on Akaiem, it's almost time!"

   Akaiem looked uneasy. "Wait, Liam, what about the Admiral? We can't just go walking around, he might find us."

   "Don't worry, we're going right to the engine room. That freak wont find us in there."

   They made their way to the engine room, then Liam showed his brother where they will be sitting.

   Two metal chairs sat next to a strange looking box shaped machine. It was huge, with welds and rivets dotting its black surface, it looked like something out of a sci-fi movie. It was connected to the huge black cables that ran throughout the room and hull. A single main switch was welded on the front of the metal behemoth.

   "There she is champ!"

   A voice boomed on the megaphone.

"Now hear this, time for departure in tee minus 30 minutes. All crews to their stations, engine crews final check before departure. That is all."

   "Hear that skipper? It's almost time! You ready to make navy history?"

   Akaiem look excited. "Oh yeah!"

   Liam grinned. "Then take the left seat. We will wait for now."

   They both took to their seats, and waited. Engine crew members ran about the room, checking dials and gauges, oiling all the massive machines, and gave anything they thought looked in need of service attention.

   The megaphone boomed again. "Now hear this, all engine crews, fire up boilers 1 through 3. That is all."

   One of the engine crew motioned for Liam, he then got up to help the engine crew start the engines. After they stuck a strange looking burning torch into each boiler, the ship's engines roared to life.

   He walked back to sit down next to Akaiem. "Listen to her purr." He said with a smile.

   They both sat there, and waited more. The noise from the engine died down some, after the ship sailed for a little.

   The megaphone boomed once again. "Now hear this. All crews prepare for the test, switch crew to your station."

   Liam looked at Akaiem, then gestured to him. "That's us bro, get ready."

   A single metal lever made for the machine's main on switch, Akaiem got himself ready for the command to to pull.

   The megaphine boomed for the last time. "Green light switch crew. Go ahead skipper, pull the switch."

   "That's your cue champ! Go ahead."

   "Wait, Liam." Akaiem looked worried, he was thinking about what he over heard from the Admiral.

   "What is it bro?" Liam put his hand on Akaiem's shoulder. "Second thoughts?"

   "No, It's what the Admiral said." Akaiem looked Liam right in the eye. "I think this might not be a good idea."

   "Hey, I would never do anything unless I was sure you would be safe." He gave his brother a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry, those egg heads know what their doing."

   "Okay." Akaiem still looked unsure.

   "Hey, tell you what, why don't we pull the switch?" Liam put his hand on the lever, with a grin.

   "Alright." The boy still had an uneasy expression.

   Akaiem, and Liam both pulled the lever down, then the machine hummed to life. An electric arc jumped across the switch connector.

   Both of them jumped, then withdrew their hands.

   Liam laughed light heartedly. "Whoa, feisty one isn't she? Are you alright?"

   "Damn thing nearly shocked me, but yeah I'm fine."

   A wave of static rushed over Akaiem, making all his hairs stand up.

   The boy looked at Liam. "Hey, you feel that?"

   "Yeah, I do, isn't that strange?" Liam was rubbing both his arms with his hands.

   The ship started to shake without vibration, a engine crew member was standing next to one of the huge black cables, with a wrinch in his left hand. The wrench shot out of his hand, then stuck to the cable with a loud metallic clap. He tried to free his wrench to the best of his ability, but came to no avail.

   The man shrugged while shaking his head at Liam.

   Grandfather Owens dog tags shot out from under his greatcoat, then tungged at Akaiem's neck towards the machine.

   "Very strong magnetic field... Interesting." Akaiem had a thoughtful look.

   The ocean began to become visible through the ships hull, as the machine started displacing the ships matter.

   "Holy mother of god!" One of the engine crew members swore. "What the devil is happening to the ship?!"

   "Well I'll be, she actually works!" Liam cheered.

"Old Friz will shit a brick when he starts fighting our new fleet of ghost ships!"

   The ship shook, and energy arced across the hull. Gauges and dials began exploding, sending hot steam jetting from them.

   One of the crew members dodged a steam jet, then checked the pipe gauges that still functioned.

   "What the hell?" Another crew member shouted. "That thing is playing havoc with our gear!"

   The megaphone hissed with static, as a muffled voice came through, its clearity jumped over bouts of harsh static.

   "Red aler -... Switch cre -  ... turn of - ... machi -... Repeat, re - ert! Switch cr - ... Tur - off - ... machine!

   Liam cought just enough out of the megaphone. He shot up form his chair, then grabed ahold of the switch. He pulled downward as hard as he could, but the switch was firmly locked into place.

   Liam yelled. "Come on everyone! Help me turn this beast off!"

   The other crew members ran towards Liam, with crowbars, and other tools in hand.

   Akaiem joined in with the other sailors, grabbing the left part of the lever. They all pulled at once, while yelling.

   "HEAVE!"

   The switch remained content to stay stuck, defying the sailors attempts to save the ship.

   Liam yelled. "Give her the HO boys!"

   Chanting at once they pulled again.

    "HO!" The switch then broke free with a metalic clang.

   The machine then went from humming to a violent buzzing noise. Lightning began arcing across the metal behemoth, causing it to began bulging like a balloon. The intense pressure caused rivets to shoot out from its structure at ballistic speeds.

   The crew scattered, as rivets shot around the metal room, bouncing and sparking with each hit.

   Liam grabbed Akaiem, then yelled. "Quick everyone, to the emergency escape hatch!"

   "Abandon ship!" One of the other sailors yelled.

   They all ran for a big red door. At this point, the ocean was almost fully visible through the ship's hull.

    Akaiem looked back at the machine, it was then glowing red hot. It looked as though an inferno was building inside, as if the metal behemoth was vying to soon consume them all in heated death.

   The nearly invisible megaphone screamed with static, as what Akaiem could make out sounded like screams of agony, and frantic unintelligible yelling.

   Liam, and the croud of other sailors, got the hatch open.

   He threw his hand out to Akaiem, while yelling. "AKAIEM, RUN TO ME-" then a deafening explosion threw Akaiem off his feet. A wave of black washed over his vision, blinding him.

   Akaiem felt as if he was floating. As he opened his eyes, he saw nothing but a black expance; exept the meany lights that were dancing across the void like background. It looked as if god was painting streaks of white over an eternal cimmerian canvas.

   While Akaiem's eyes ajusted to the sudden darkness, his face froze in terror. His eyes began to make out the countless shapes and outlines of the other sailors , and the whole ship, floating in the expanse's endless background.

    As the lights arced across the expanse, they consumed some shapes, then they just passed over others. He felt something pulling on him, as he began to float towards a tear of light in the black background.

   Akaiem watched on in horror, as the gruesome sight of people shapes molding with other objects from the ship floating in the void, unfolded before him. He then felt something like a hand grab his left ankle. He screamed, but froze in shock, as it made no sound.

   The pull towards the tear became heavier, as he loomed closer to its burning light. The hand, while still holding on, tightened its grip, then pulled on his ankle, as if it was attempting to keep him from being engulfed by the light. The admirable attempt however, was in vain.

   As he approached the light, he felt his whole being was stretching out, like a liquid under pressure. Static arced harsh fully at his ravaged skin, as Akaiem was being greedily consumed by the blinding maw. He tasted blood, as he began to painfully accelorate. He let out one last noiseless scream, before passing out into nothing.

   Akaiem groaned,  as his senses returned. He was laying on his stomach. He felt the rough feeling of grass on his skin and face, with the wet cold of morning dew on the grass and moist ground.

   He heard birds singing, and the babbling of a brook near by. The air was warm and crisp.

   He heard loud thumps over to his right, they grew louder, as if they were getting closer. The thumps stopped just feet away from him in all directions, he then heard voices.

   A voice brashly spoke, "Oh dear! What is it?"

   Another one admitted, "I have not the faintest idea..."

   A third voice jumped up in octave. "What the hay is that?!"

   That loud voice hurt his head, he felt like his skull was splitting open. While grasping his forehead, he rolled over onto his back with a grunt.

   "Holy flank! IT'S STILL ALIVE?!" The same one shouted in shock yet again.

   A calmer toned voice said, "Clover, stop swaring please. It's not befitting a lady."

   "I dare you to come over here and say that to my face!"

   "Ha, no thanks, I'll pass."

   A loud yell sounded from up towards the sky. "Hark! Fear not young ones! My guard and I will purge the vile beast!

   Then something landed hard on the ground, followed by over a dozen more thuds.

   "Forwards men! To glorious battle!" A loud unified grunt let out, then the ground shook as if Custer himself was leading a charge over to Akaiem.

   The charge stopped just feet away, then two sets of feet walked towards him.

"Rise hideous beast, and meet thy's doom honorably!"

   Akaiem had about enough of the noise, he spoke weakly to whomever was its sorce.

"Would you please be quiet? My head is killing me."

   He heard a snort, and a few gasps. A few more voices whispered harshly, one Akaiem could hear. "It told the General to be quiet!"

   Feet stepped closer to his lower right.

"Thank you, Skycutter, but I do not believe your protection is required at this moment."

   A snort sounded yet again. "If you want to get closer that thing, then fine. One bit of advice though, don't make the mistake of letting it smell your fear."

   "I will be sure to keep that in mind, General."

   After the figure took a few steps forward, he spoke, just standing feet away.  "Hello there?"

   Akaiem still had his hands on his throbbing head. Then it hit him, all the memories of the Eldridge, and the horrors that took place on it. He shot upright from laying down, his stinging blood shot eyes wide open.

   There, standing on four hooves in front of him, was a light blue pony. It had a mane the was a mix of light purple and pink stripes. It also wore a strange kind of double saddle bag on its back, they were filled with rolled up papers. Akaiem also saw a horn on its head.

   Its face was shocked at first, then softened a little when it cleared its throat. "Um, can you speak my tongue?"

   Akaiem's mouth was agape, his eyes as wide as humanly possible. He then inhaled deeply, and yelled.

   "AHHHHHHH!"

   He looked around his surroundings, taking in too much at once. His yell was cut short by a sharp pain that shot through his head.

   "Oh, dear. Are you alright?" The pony took a few steps forward, with an expression of concern.

   While wincing, Akaiem said. "Talking horses? Jimminy christmas, this can't be happening. I must be dreaming."

   "Oh no, this is no dream, I can assure you my fellow."

   "General! We found another one over here!" A white Pegasus in silver amour shouted out over the nearby hill, while waving a hoof in the air, "He looks pretty banged up too! He also has a strange red mane, like that one over there with his brown one!"

   Akaiem shot to his feet, then ran over to the pegasus while shouting. "Liam!"

   All the other ponies gasped, and took several steps back.

  Skycutter yelled, "What did I say about the fear?" He sighed, then muttered, "Thank the Sky King we are downwind."

   Akaiem cleared over the meadow's hill top, only to see Liam laying down on his back with a bloody forehead. He then ran down hill almost tripping himself. The other ponies peered over the hill top, wanting to see what was going on.

   A white unicorn with a dark blue mane, waring a very well made light blue scarf and a white hat, while carring saddle bags full of cloth and sowing stuffs, was standing next to a light green coloured unicorn.

  The light green unicorn had a mane of light purple, mixed with stripes of pink and a darker purple. She wore only a brown cloth cloak.

   The white unicorn spoke. "Would somepony please tell me what ever is going on?"

   The light green unicorn rolled her eyes at the white pony. "Come on Gala, It's obvious that other one laying down there is important to him. He must be familiy, or his best friend."

   "Well, arn't you just the clever one, Clover?" Gala huffed, then looked away from clover with her chin in the air.

   "Geez..." Clover sighed.

   Clover looked at the light blue pony standing next to her. He nodded. "I was going down there anyway."

   The light blue pony trotted down hill to see what was happening. He stopped just to peer over Akaiem's shoulder. "Friend of yours?"

   Akaiem checked Liam for a pulse, then sighed. "Liam's still alive, thank God."

   The blue pony asked, "Ah, so his name is Liam?"

   Akaiem looked over his shoulder, then he turned and sat down. He was facing the blue pony, meeting him eye to eye.

   The pony smiled, then sat down as well. "I am Starswirl, and my I dare as to ask for your name?"

   Akaiem swallowed down the lump in his throat, then answered, "Akaiem, Akaiem Orion."

   Starswirl's smile grew. "Welcome to the Four Kingdoms. Akaiem Orion."