High Tide, Low Company

Chapters

Phantom in the Night
Discoveries
Gallopfrey
Tales of Old
Uprising
Pursuit
No rest for the Wicked
Eternities Mist
Nightspark
Back at Sea
Battle of Bad Wolf Bay
Dragons Fall
The Return
Chapter 1
Chapter 2: Light of Night, Dark of Day

Phantom in the Night

The previous day had seen them as helpful, timely, some even said heroic ponies. His crew had been in all different situations from field medics to firefighters and even assisting search and rescue teams. They’d cared for the injured, built shelters, and cleared debris scattered all around the island after the raid. It was only as they left that they saw the enormity of the affected area and discovered where it was they were. A little island community called Jibland, which was little more than a tent city now, with a smoldering scorch mark covering a large majority of the island.

Captain Pip had spent most of the night in a dreamless sleep. He barely remembered waking at all in the night after he fell asleep. He’d woken early in the morning from a gentle prod from Radko. “Sir, it is first light. Shall we be making our way now?” The Hooviet stallion asked.

Pip stood and stretched shaking the sleep from his head. “Yes, yes we should be on our way as soon as we can, see that the crew is present and let’s get under way. I must go inform Captain Thunder of our departure.” He replied.

A voice cut in just then, “Then I suppose you’ll be looking for me.” Captain Thunder was already outside, his timing was impeccable. “You’ll find your ship has been resupplied with extra food, water, and munitions, plus some sailcloth to replace what you used here. Your ship is prepared to head to sea when you and your crew are on board. But before you go, allow me to extend a personal thanks to you and your crew for your great assistance. I have a gift for you. It’s simple, but it will aid you in your travels.” He presented Pip with a folded banner. “This is the flag that we fly just beneath our Nations flag, or in your case your ships main flag. You are not required to do so at all times, but when abroad, if you ever encounter any of our long range operations if you fly this they will give assistance, anything you need, ponypower, food, water, or rescue. Any who fly this flag are considered part of our Royal Navy Forces, a part of the main fleet if you will. You’ve earned it, fly it proudly. May good winds favor your vessel on your travels and may the spirits of the sea watch over you and your crew.” Thunder finished with a salute.

Pip accepted the banner and returned the salute. It was an important gift. Very few vessels outside the fleet flew, or even had, one of the banners. It was a badge of respect and honor. Captain Thunder turned about with a sharp snap and returned to the forward operations station to continue his work. Pip and his crew loaded into the longboats and returned to the Bonnie Lass.

They made it to their ship quickly; once the boats were secured Pip handed the banner to Zanza and Danza and had them promptly raise it to fly just below their own flag. It was a long triangular flag with a white hulled vessel embroidered into its royal blue background with the letters RCN emblazoned in gold thread next to it.
Pip and the crew began preparing the ship for cast off. The crew busied themselves checking spars, rigging, and sails for preparedness. Captain Pip stood at the chart table, thinking hard as to where he would go if he and his crew were fleeing a place after raiding it like this. He tossed his satchel onto the table as he paced to and fro thinking hard. Nixx had made his way up to the table as well and was suddenly very intrigued by something on the map. “Sir.” He said, addressing Pip.

“Just a moment Nixx.” He said, deep in thought.

“Sir really.” He said again.

“I said one moment. I’m thinking.” Pip said, trying to stay focused was difficult when getting interrupted.

“Sir, really you need to see this.” Nixx insisted once more.

Pip stopped and glared at the tech, who was now examining the map with a special pair of goggles that had little lenses for magnification built into them. The tech was an eccentric about detail, but Pip knew the map top to bottom, every detail, whatever the tech could have found was likely just a scratch or something. Regardless, Pip made his way over to the insistent pony. It wasn’t until he got closer that he realized it was not the map he was looking at, but rather the tarnished medallion he’d had him inspect the night before.

“What is it Nixx? You saw it last night, nothing special, it’s a medallion, what could be so important on it now?” He said a little aggravated at having been pulled out of his deep thought.

“Here, look. It’s no wonder I didn’t see his in the dark last night. But this may help you decide where we should go first.” Said the unfazed tech as he removed the goggles and handed them to Pip.

The Captain took the goggles and put them on. He moved over to where Nixx was standing and peered down at the medallion. It looked like it had the night before. He could only see a worn imprint of a pony on its surface. Nothing of interest he could see. “What am I supposed to be looking at?” He questioned the tech.

Nixx replied by reaching over and clacking the magnification lens into place. “Look, the figures hindquarters, its cutie mark. Does that look familiar to you?” Pip looked closer. The spot where he was looking only looked like a different smudge on the worn metal. “It does not have a cutie mark, just more worn space. What are you getting at Nixx?” he questioned, confused at what the pony could possibly see.

Nixx let out an exasperated sigh and clacked another lens down to magnify it closer; he then rotated the medallion ninety degrees. That was when Pip saw it, the cutie mark, or rather the island. The figures cutie mark was an island. Pip tore off the goggles and brushed the satchel off the map, searching for the shapes that matched the figures mark. It took only a moment. “There.” He said pointing with a hoof to a large island out in the open waters of Eternity’s Crossing.

“Gallopfrey?” Nixx said in question. “Is that where were to head?”

“Yes, that’s the best clue we have as where to start so make sure everything is tight.” He said to nopony in particular.

Nixx asked another question before he left to go down to his room where he spent most of his time tinkering, “Sir, may I take this with me. I’d like to see if I can’t clean it up any, maybe it’ll have more information.”

“Yes, go ahead, that is ok. If you find anything at all let me know.” Pip replied.

“Of course Captain.” Nixx took the medallion and trotted below deck.
Pip was left at the helm with Dinky and Radko. There was a clanking sound from the front of the ship, which would be the anchor he realized. The wind caught the sails and they were soon moving. The white hulled giant closest to them fired a salute to them, custom among military vessels, a wish of good fortune. Pip ordered the gun crew to fire off their own salute in return. Shortly one of their deck cannons spoke in response. And with that they were sailing out of the bay, and into the open waters of Eternities Crossing.
҉
Time passed quickly at first, the excitement of a new heading after so long spent in equestrian waters with little to no action for months they finally had a mission, which gave them purpose. They were on a true voyage now and the excitement had driven most of the morning quickly. It was now early afternoon and they were settled into the normalcy of the sailing. The voyage to Gallopfry would take them the rest of the day plus the next day and the night between them of traveling to make it. Soon the crew would calm down and slow their work pace to save something to pass the time till evening supper when they’d be left to their own devices on a rotating watch schedule.

Pip had them practice gunnery, knowing full well that it would probably be called upon and nopony could ever get enough. They practiced first with timing. It was crucial that when delivering a broadside in combat, a maneuver executed when the ship drew close to another’s side and fired all its cannons on that side into the opposition, and so it was required that they could fire all the cannons either at one time, or in a domino effect. This would allow them to land each shot as a hit depending on what the action called for.

They practiced first without loads, each gun team would, upon given the command for broadside, touch the igniters to the cannon and yell “Bang!” This allowed Bull, the gunner commander of the ship, to judge if they were timed right. If done correctly their combined voices would sound like one many voiced shout. If done wrong it would sound more like a rabble of school colts at play in the park. At first the pretend fire exercise brought humor to many of them, even the all serious Bull could not help a chuckle, but soon the laughter stopped and after a couple hours of this they were doing much better. Bull asked for permission to use the cannons for a true broadside exercise.

Pip granted permission for one, they would need to save their shot, but one would not hurt. Soon the cannons were loaded, all timed well 4by Pips eye, then Bull gave the command to fire and the entire cannon side roared at once, the acrid sent of gunpowder wafted through the air along with the whoops and whinnies of the gun crews for getting it right in one try. Pip would be sure to reward them if they could repeat that in combat if it came to it.

Bull stomped once to get their attention. He congratulated them and then blew their bluster out by dropping cleaning equipment at their hooves. After all a clean cannon was key to a good shot by his standard. And so the crew learned how to clean the guns next and soon they had them gleaming. From there they were released to go about their other chores.

Pip returned to the top deck to watch the crew as they went about their business. The mid-day sun beat down from the cloudless sky, causing one to thoroughly sweat regardless of whether or not they were still or moving. The only relief came in the spray as the ship moved through the water.

The crew was busy inspecting the sails and rigging once more. Others were working with Radko to adjust the newly added supplies into a more balanced setup below. The rest were scrubbing away at any surface that needed it. The ship had collected a fair share of dirt and grime the previous night and it showed.

The next couple of hours went by quickly. Signal training, longboat launch, and fire suppression exercises were run to
pass the time. Soon the sun was dipping below the horizon. Pip set the crew free for the evening, as dinner would soon be served. “Radko, please bring down the banner for the night.” Pip requested. Rako enlisted Danza and together they lowered, removed, and folded the Royal Naval banner, storing it in a strongbox underneath the chart table. By then night had fallen. Danza and his twin brother Zanza took over at the chart table and helm, allowing Dinky and Pip to retire below for dinner.

The crew was already livened up, though much more subdued than the previous nights. The first evenings out at sea always proved tiresome to everypony. There was some hearty laughter from a group near the back of the cabin. More of the crew had simply eaten and retired to their cots or hammocks for the night, leaving an empty air about the dining area. Pip even noticed Dinky was exceptionally tired as she ate her meal with heavy eyes. She finished quickly and made her way back to him after depositing the plate back with the cook. “I’m to sleep love, wake me if something happens.” She nuzzled him warmly and then disappeared up the stairs. Pip mulled around his meal a bit more before he too returned it to the galley.

He went back up to the top deck and stood in the quite night air for a few moments. Alone with his thoughts of the last few days, he was interrupted by the sound of a clearing throat. He turned to see Quix standing behind him. “May I have a moment of your time Captain?” He requested.

“Yes, what is it? Pip asked. It was rare that the surgeon ever requested to speak to him one on one.

“Captain, I want to talk about our recent action with the raid on Jibland. Particularly the patients I saw there.” He said.

“What about them? I assume it was the normal injuries; burns and wounds from blades, possibly some shot too would be the extent of it, am I wrong?” Pip answered in a questioning tone.

“You are correct, for the most part. But there was something else. Something that in all my years I’ve never seen, something that to me is very daunting. What was stranger was that I only found it among the dead or dying.” Quix replied.

“Found what?” Pip replied, now fully intrigued.

Quix looked around, he gestured to the chart table. Pip trotted to the table where Quix now stood, rummaging through his pack. He proceeded to pull out a piece of parchment which he then unfolded, presenting it to the captain. Pip examined the paper, it was rough, and had some stained blood on it, no doubt from Quix’s work with the injured. Upon the stained paper there were etchings, lines, in the shape of a U. “What is this?” he asked in confusion.

“It’s a sketch, I know it’s not the best but it’s all I could do in the short moments I had. Can’t you see? They’re bite marks. Almost all the dead had them. In the same areas, around the neck, or on their shoulders, they were deep as well. As if whatever bit them had fangs.”

Pip looked at the paper again, fully registering what the surgeon was saying. He doubted no part of Quix’s observation, he was a brilliant medical mind, and he knew enough about dentistry to recognize a bite mark when he saw one. Just like he could stitch up a cut or mend a broken bone in a pinch. The question that floated in his mind was what could have possibly made such a mark.

“I take it you don’t know. Well, I for one don’t know. It’s a pity that is all we have. And just how did you get a heading? I’m assuming that Captain Thunder must have provided it to you?” Quix Guessed.

“No, we figured that one out thanks to something he gave me, a medallion of sorts, apparently taken from one of the attackers.” Pip said, he pulled the medallion out of the pack he’d left under the table and set it down on top of the drawing. Quix lifted it with magic and held it before his face, inspecting it closely. “Hrm, it’s not much to look at. How is it you found a heading on it? There is nothing on it.” Quix said.

“That’s what I thought as well. Nixx found the clue on it. He used a pair of magnifiers to look closer.” Pip replied. At which Quix produced a pair of his own out of his pack and began looking at the medallion.

“I see, its cutie mark. I will guess it corresponds with a point on the map?” He guessed correctly once again.

“Yes and no,” Pip said, “It coordinates to the map, but not to a point, rather, it points to an island. And that is where we are headed.

Quix set down the medallion and sighed. “I don’t know what were headed into, or what were getting involved with but I fear that were going to need all my expertise in the near future. I just wish I knew what the bite marks were from. That bothers me greatly.” He said.

Pip looked at him as he set the medallion down on the table. “I don’t either, but I’m glad that we have such a grand surgeon on board to deal with what could come. We’re going to need it I’m sure.” At that Quix yawned a large yawn and called it a night, he was visibly tired and needed sleep badly. Pip wished him good evening and himself proceeded to his cabin after being sure to leave Danza and Zanza in charge. He walked to the bedside; hooves dragging from exhaustion. Dinky was fast asleep already. Pip less laid down as much as he fell into the bed lightly, he curled closely to Dinky’s sleeping form, draping a foreleg over her side. He passed out as soon as his head hit the pillow.
҉
Pip was roused once again in the night. This time more urgently. “Captain! Come quickly, we’ve been spotted!” Pip was out of bed in a blink, sword belted and hat on. He went to wake Dinky but found she was already up and ready. He bolted out the door quickly; Danza pointing to the port spotters’ scope. Pip trotted over quickly and looked through it. Zanza had aimed it to its target; Pip could make out the ship. It was black, sails and all. No lamps glowed on its deck. A fog had built up over night and it obscured most of the ship. But in the fleeting moment he caught sight of the other ships deck he could see its crew, armed to the teeth. They were preparing cannons. Pip knew right away they meant to attack.

“Douse the lamps! Everypony to battlestations!” He shouted. Radko could be heard bellowing below decks, the crew was already up it would seem. He was glad they readied them beforehoof, any seconds they could save would be good. The ship went from silent, to a bustle of crew above and below deck. Cannons were readied; weapons were handed out rigging prepped for combat. All done in a matter of minutes, the exercising earlier on seemed to pay off.

The crew were at their stations, gunponies at their cannons, boarding parties prepped as well as their counterpart, the ponies responsible for repelling the other ships attempts at boarding. All the noise of preparation halted as soon as it had started, leaving them in quietness, save for the gentle splashing of the sea as they navigated through the nighttime waters. The fog had rolled in quickly; it obscured almost everything around them. Where the lamps had once cast their glow on the deck it was now dark, they could not see beyond the deck more than fifty pony lengths. Poor conditions indeed, so they waited.

They were traveling at a quick pace, but even with that they had no idea where the other ship was. None of the spotters could see far enough to make a spot. They just kept watch as best they could. Then suddenly one shouted from the stern of the ship, “CONTACT!” the crew member bellowed before ducking below the railing.

Pip turned to see the other ship bearing down behind them, coming past from port to starboard, they cut across the path of the Bonnie Lass, it’s crew was hard to spot at that speed but easy enough to hear their shouting and curses, the maniacal laughter of some. There were sharp cracks of noise as the other crew fired rifles at them and a thunderous boom as they fired cannon at them from behind. Luckily they missed with the cannon and the shot could be heard splashing across the water. As quickly as it had happened, they were gone again, swallowed by the fog.

By the look of things it would seem they were but a rabble of brigands, thinking the Bonnie Lass an easy target. They didn’t even wait for a decent shot before firing their cannons. Pip though was not one to take looks as fact; bravado could win a fight as much as knocking out the other fighter. He underestimated nopony.

He could feel the Bonnie Lass turn to starboard, making to follow the other ship. He looked up to the helm, Dinky stood there, confident and un-intimidated, and she knew what was expected in an engagement. The Bonnie Lass made the turn in a tight move, quick and clean. Soon enough their bow spotter called out, “Contact! Were coming up on their stern, twelve pony lengths to their port, I don’t think they know we followed.” He said, anticipation clear in his voice.

Pip galloped to the spotter and looked through his scope. Indeed, they were coming up on the ship quickly. He could see now in detail, it was a larger ship than theirs. They sported two gun decks to their one. They were outgunned by a whole other deck. But what they didn’t have was his ships technological upgrades. The rotatable guns would prove useful, but what would more than likely end up winning this engagement would be the blaze guns. Even if they missed it usually scared off the offending crew quickly.

They were gaining rapidly; soon they would be within visual range and would no doubt be spotted by the other ship. As if on cue there was a shout from the other ships deck, no doubt they’d been spotted already. There was a clanging noise ahead of them, the guns of the other ship being readied. His own crew was prepared, he could hear the clicking of the rotating long guns as they aimed at the other craft. “Captain, we will be in range for the long guns in less than a minute.” Bull said, “Do we have permission to fire?”

“Yes, once in range fire when ready. Aim low if you can, I want them taking on water as soon as we can.” Pip replied.

Bull relayed this to the forward guncrew. The cannon began clicking once again, dropping its aim a little lower. There was a split second of silence, and then the gunpony jerked the firing string. There was a crack of thunder and they watched as the round struck home. The rotating guns were smaller than the other guns on deck, but they were much more advanced. They used rounds that were projected faster. Upon impact they could punch through most hulls. This proved true as they watched, they were close enough they could see the wood splinter and crack upon impact. Then as the gun crew finished reloading, there was a dull thump from inside the other ship. Pip realized Bull had loaded the explosive rounds instead of the solid shot, a good choice as far as he was concerned.

There was another sharp crack from the forward gun, another sound of splintering wood followed by a loud thump as the round exploded inside the ship’s hull. This continued for three more shots before the other ship suddenly slowed its forward movement, quickly dropping back to match the speed of Bonnie Lass. The rate at which they slowed was far too rapid for a ship that size, even with the damage done by the forward cannon.

It was a good move, Pip could respect that much, even though he knew in his heart that it had to have been achieved with magic. There was no way a ship that size could slow so quickly normally. The Bonnie Lass was now in a dangerous position. The larger ship, if able to fire a full broadside, would be disastrous for the Bonnie Lass. “Disengage!” Pip shouted at the top of his lungs. Radko shouted a command at the same time. There was a groan as their ship began its sharp turn which was suddenly drowned out by a loud roar. Pip looked to its source, knowing full well its cause.

Radko had given the command to fire their full complement on the starboard side. The cannons had spoken first, but their quick bangs were smothered beneath the rage of the blaze cannons. The flames roiled out of the cannons like an angry phoenix, lighting the night with their baleful orange glow. They painted the side of the brigand vessel, dousing it in sticky orange fire. Soon half the hull was covered in flames; they licked up the sides, hungry for the wooden hull.

Their turn hit its sharp point, forcing them to keep their hoofing rather than aim the guns. As they turned the second cannon unleashed its rage upon the ship’s hull. The flames stuck to everything, burning uncontrolled on the ships side as it crawled its way upward. They did their best to keep their hoofing in the strong force of the turn for fear of being knocked off, eventually the turn stopped and they were able to look to the other ship once again. It had resumed its course, this time moving away with all haste, the crew could be seen dousing the fires with water, it took more water than normal but they were able to get the fire under control. It had done its intentions though. The side of the ship was charred and broken; the vessel would need extensive repair and its crew knew when a battle was not wise to maintain, they fled as quickly as they had come. Luckily for the Bonnie Lass the other ship had never gotten a chance to fire another shot after the one they missed. Pip watched the ship vanish into the night fog, limping off quickly to lick their wounds.

The engagement had lasted less than half a turn of the clock. It had been quick, they had been lucky; normally it would be the Bonnie Lass that would pounce with the element of surprise. They had been outgunned by the other ship, only the quick thinking of his crew and the clever inventions of their tech pony had saved them from destruction. Still, they had wounded as well, and slight damage from small arms fire. Some of the rigging had been damaged from musket balls and was currently being replaced. One of their gun crew ponies had been hit by a stray musket ball as well, Quix was seeing to him now. They could hear him grunt and see him biting down on a stick as the surgeon used magic to pull the ball out of the wound. It was a glancing hit Pip later found out, shallow and lodged against a rib. The pony was given an extra ration of grog and allowed to rest for the evening to keep from aggravating the stitches.

They quickly did the needed repairs, checked that all the cannons were loaded once again, in case the ship came sneaking back up on them in the night. The larger bulk of the crew went below decks. Some returned to sleep, others sat in the galley to eat or just talk. Pip walked up to the helm, Dinky stood there, steering the ship through the water. He could see the exhaustion on her face. She was tired, worn, like the rest of them. But she was near collapse by the looks of it. Pip walked to her and placed a hoof on the wheel next to hers. She didn’t let go of the wheel, she just kept staring forward. Pip set his hoof on top of hers, this got her attention. Her head turned, eyes dilated past normal Pip noticed, she blinked a couple times, regaining some composure. She took her hooves off the wheel and grabbed him around the neck, Dinky was shaking badly, and she could barely stand. “Danza,” Pip shouted, “Take the wheel, Quix with me.”

Pip ducked under Dinky’s chest, aligning himself with her so that she could hold onto his back for support. Pip stood there and waited for Quix to bring up his kit. Dinky was still shaking so he slowly backed her up to the side of the deck and tried to help her to sit down. She wouldn’t cooperate, Dinky moved back and held on to his neck again. Pip didn’t understand what was wrong, he knew she was upset but he didn’t know if she was hurt or not. He did however lower himself down and sat on the deck. Dinky followed mechanically. She just sat there wrapped around his neck while Quix gave her a once over.

“She’s ok, not hurt. Whatever is wrong you’ll have to figure out on your own. Something scared her by the looks of it. She also needs sleep, I can see it, she’s fatigued badly. Get her to bed and do what you can to get her to sleep, she’ll either fight it or she’ll go out. I’ll let Radko know the ship is his, we’ll take care of things up here, you see to her Cap.” He said.

Quix packed up his things and went below deck. Pip remained with Dinky for a few moments more. She still clung to him as he stood up. Pip did his best to guide her to their cabin. Once inside she relaxed her grip on him enough to allow herself to be guided to the bed where Pip helping her into it. He too crawled in and lay next to her, she wrapped her forelegs around him once again and lay there in silence. Pip laid his head against her neck just sitting in silence for a moment, and then the floodgate opened.

“I thought I was going to lose you today. I should have seen that ship coming. I should have turned sooner, before we had to engage. It was all wrong. I’ve been working the helm for a long time now, we’ve been doing this for years, I’ve never let that happen before, and we’ve never been at the mercy of another ship. I’ve always kept the ship and us, you, out of harm’s way. I almost got us killed, all of us. I didn’t know what to do. I….” Pip stopped her before she could continue.

“You did wonderful out there. Your quick action in that turn saved us. That ship coming onto ours the way it did was nothing you could have helped. We’re dealing with something entirely different than what were accustomed to. You saved our ship, the crew, and I tonight. You did outstanding. You can’t always prevent things. I am glad you were up there. Don’t ever doubt yourself. You saved us all tonight.” He said.

Dinky visibly relaxed and looked him in the eye, “Thank you. I’m sorry.” She said.

“It’s ok.” Pip said.

Dinky yawned her eyes drooping quickly. She looked up at pip, golden eyes looking him in the face. Pip was going to say something but it was muffled as she kissed him with passion. She would be ok; he knew it for sure as he kissed her back. Dinky pulled away slowly and rested her head on the pillow next to him. She was out as soon as she closed her eyes. Pip looked down at his mare next to him. She was everything to him, tonight had been hard on her. But she was strong, it would take more than that to make her cave. Ever since they were young, before he’d earned the respect from his service, she’d looked out for him. He’d looked out for her as well. They’d been inseparable since they’d met.

Pip was going to get up and go back out to deck but he didn’t want to wake Dinky, she needed the sleep. He listened to the world around him. It was quiet. Calm. He could just hear Radko and the Zebra twins talking, about what he was not certain though. Things were in good hands. Pip leaned over slowly and grabbed the cover and with a slow turn of his head covered Dinky’s sleeping form against the cold sea air. He lay his head down on the pillow and let himself fall asleep.

Discoveries

Pip was roused by the sound of work being done on deck. It was light outside, late morning he guessed by the light. He looked over, Dinky was still fast asleep, she remained so even after he had gotten out of bed and gotten ready. He left her that way and headed out into the sunlight.

The crew was scrubbing the decks, repairing missed spots from the previous night, cleaning and rearming the cannons and getting the ship back up to par. Some of them looked haggard; others were going about with energetic movement. Radko stood at the helm, guiding the ship easily through the calm waters. The wind was fair behind them, Pip was certain they would make good time, no doubt to reach their destination by late afternoon or early evening. He was certain but would ask the first mate later to be sure.

Pip trotted up to the helm. Radko offered the wheel but Pip was content to let the stallion continue. He watched the crew labor as he went over the charts and logs. He was sure to check their water supply, medical, food, munitions, the works. All was in line; they were well supplied after the gift from the Royal Navy back in Jibland. There was a grumble of a clearing throat beside him as he finished the log checks. He turned to see the tech, Nixx, standing across from him.

“Good morning,” he said, “may I speak with you for a moment?”

“Yes, yes what is it?” Pip asked.

“It’s the medallion. I gave it quite a working over last night. I used rags, brushes, chemicals, even magic, nothing I tried cleared the stain away. Whatever it is it isn't going to go away.” He said, looking at Radko in question. Pip noticed the glance, “Radko, listen in if you would. I don’t know when, or if, I will get another chance to fill you in as I’ve not had a moment to do so recently.” He said to the first mate.

“Yes, the medallion, I know of it. And the marks Quix found on the injured and dead at Jibland. He and I talked extensively this previous night.” Replied the normally silent stallion.

Pip was not surprised by this. Radko had a knack for gathering information from the crew. It was his job after all, and it saved Pip and Nixx from having to back track in order to fill him in on the goings on.

“So it wont clean off? Is there more?” Pip asked.

“Yes. There is, or rather there was. While I was inspecting it I noticed there used to be some type of writing on the reverse side but it’s all but worn off now. I don’t think I’ll be able to get it to show.” Nixx finished.

“Well that’s unfortunate, we need any information we can get at this point we’re sailing with one eye as it were.” Pip said.

“I can try a few more things but it’ll take time. I just thought you would want to know there is a good chance it’ll lead to not.” Nixx finished.

“That’s fine, do what you can, don’t work too hard on it though. Don’t need to buck a dead tree.” Pip said with a little comic tone.

Nixx took his leave of them, taking the medallion with him, returning below to his own room where he mostly kept to himself and his tinkering.

“Radko, how much longer do you think it will be till we make land in the scope?” Pip asked.

“If we maintain our speed than we should make sighting by early evening captain.” He replied stoically.

Pip was glad to hear it. Their calculations differed a bit but they were close enough to give him a decent timeframe of arrival.

“Good, keep up the work.” Pip replied.

There was a shout that cut them off any further discussion. It came from the forward spotter.

“Contact! Captain you need to come see this!” Said the spotter.

Pip looked to Radko and then headed quickly to the scope. The spotter stepped aside, his pupils were small, eyes wide. Something had scared him badly. Pip Stepped up to the scope and worked the mechanisms to bring the target closer and into focus again. It was the ship from the previous night. Scorched side and all, that wasn’t what had frightened the spotter though. It was something far more sinister.

Pip looked on in mixed horror and revulsion at the scene ahead. Something had befallen the ship in the night after their fight. Pip was sure of it. The rigging was destroyed, ropes were cut and tangled, the sails had long vertical rips in them. There were places on the hull, deck, railing, that looked as though they’d been gashed with something like an axe or sword, the wood was splintered and looked shredded.

They were coming up on the ship fast. Pip gave the command to slow the ship so they could pull up beside it for a closer look. The crew did as ordered. “Man battle stations.” He commanded, “Be ready for anything.”

They came up on the ship slowly. The crew did their best to stay quiet, but one could not fail to hear them gasp, some prayed, others wretched. The stench was sour and clung in ones nose, making it hard to breathe without gagging. But that was the least of the problem. The scene unfolded in a grisly display. The ship was silent. Floating low in the water, probably still taking on water from the previous night’s engagement; this allowed for the crew to see everything from where they stood.

The crew of the other ship, or what had been, was all dead by the looks of it. Their bodies were strung up in the rigging by their hind legs. The bodies, there were so many, swayed in the ocean wind. As they turned one could see the wounds they’d died from. All of them were ripped from throat to flank. They were clean cuts, the blood had all but run out of most of them, some though still dropped flecks of blood as they swayed to and fro. The guts of the dead crew had fallen out of many, decorating the deck in a grisly tinsel of intestines and other organs. Some had not fallen out and instead hung limply outside of the owner’s body.

The flies were everywhere. Black clouds of them swarmed the bodies of the dead and the living alike. Their bites were painful, Quix went about with a salve and applied it to each ponies back in a light and quick wipe, it was a pungent smelling liquid but once applied the flies left them alone for the most part. They stood there in silent shock for a long time, none could help to stare, nopony said a word. Most just muttered and gagged, a couple passed out and were quickly taken below. There were many that had been sick. They grouped on the other side of the ship, doing their best not to look back as they divulged the contents of their breakfast into the sea.

Nixx walked slowly up to Pip, doing his best to stifle a gag himself. “What…should we do? He asked.

“Can you get one of your.... water cannons up here quickly? Take.....anyone you need with you. We need to clear the deck before......we go over.” Pip said between breaths and gags.

“You can’t be serious Captain. This is bad bad bad.” He heard from above. It was Stormwing. She hovered above them, both hooves on her nose, making her voice sound nasally.

“Yes...I am serious. I only need a quick look, see if there is anything....of use to us on the.....deck. I don’t plan on going below...deck. I imagine it’s much like above.” Pip said.

Nixx went below with two other ponies, leaving the rest of them staring at the horrific scene before them. They returned quickly, Nixx latched the cannon onto the railing and tossed a hose over. He latched another apparatus to the rail beside it, which he promptly had one pony start turning. Soon the cannon was spraying a strong stream of water and the deck of the other ship was soon rinsed of the largest amount of blood. The gore however would not be moved far.

“Radko, you’re with me, you as well Nixx....Get a board across now.” Pip said quickly. There was a bustle of movement and a loud thud as a board was dropped onto their rail and the other ships railing. Pip and Radko jumped onto it and quickly trotted across, they were joined by Nixx shortly after. They spread out across the deck. Rakdo went up to the helm, Nixx to the front of the ship and Pip looked around the center.

“Captain...” Radko said in a quiet voice from the helm.

Pip worked his way up to the helm where Radko stood looking down. As he made it around the side of the stallion he slowed to a walk. On the deck lay one body. It was mangled and ripped. Its chest was a shredded mess; the guts were visible to the naked eye, ribs sticking out into the air like spires of white. Pip did everything he could not to puke right there. Radko did.

Nixx came up behind him and gasped in mixed shock and horror. He moved around the corpse. Staring at it in horror, Radko was leaning heavily on the railing. Pip had never seen the stoic and solid stallion so affected by something. Nixx gasped a strangled gasp.

Pip looked over and saw the unicorn’s horn glowing. He looked down at the body and saw the white glow of magic around its mouth. Slowly, and to Pips horror, Nixx pulled another medallion out of the corpse’s mouth. Pip and Nixx were gagging now; Nixx wiped the medal on the driest part of the corpses remaining cloths and placed it in his satchel. He moved to walk back to the ship and kicked the side of the corpse when he tripped on the up swell. There was a dull thump. They looked down again, a journal had fallen out of the one remaining pocket, Nixx magicked that up as well. Wiping away the blood on it with a rag that he then dropped to the deck, he placed the journal in the satchel as well and quickly retreated to the Bonnie lass, followed closely by Pip and Radko.

“What did you find? Are we leaving?” Quix asked curiously. Radko was still green around the face. Even his legs were a bit shaky. Stormwing swooped down to his side and draped a wing across his back. Radko leaned his head on her shoulder, eyes closed and breathing deeply.

“Radko, go down below. Take as long as you need. Same for you Nixx.” Pip said quietly.

Radko nodded slowly and allowed himself to be guided away by Stormwing. Nixx gathered himself quickly and took his leave. Taking the satchel with him, which was fine by Pip; he knew the tech would probably not be lazing about in his quarter but tooling and examining the new clues. Pip was certain he’d hear from the tech before nightfall.

The rest of the crew looked to Pip now. “Danza, take the wheel.” The rest of you....ready the blaze guns. Danza, would you be so kind as to bring us about.” The ship lurched forward lightly as the wind caught the sails again and they cut their ties to the other ship. They quickly pulled away and then turned back around bearing down on the crippled ship, once close enough he gave the command. “Fire.”

The Blaze guns belched their liquid fire forth, painting the ship evenly across its side. The flames took instantly, eating at the ships already scared planks. It ate at the ship, spreading quickly. Soon the entire vessel was engulfed in fire. Ash and smoke poured into the sky as they sailed away, continuing on their way to Gallopfry.

Pip stood at the helm now. Guiding the ship in the receding light of day, due to their unscheduled stop they would reach the island of Gallopfry by early morning. Pip was considering pushing it back to early afternoon and allowing the crew to rest for the night. After the things they saw in the day many of them could use the extra rest, perhaps some grog to scour their minds clean. He himself was haunted by the images of what they’d seen. In all his years as captain he’d never seen anything as gruesome as what he’d witnessed on board that ship today. And that was saying a lot; he’d seen plenty of terrible things in actions of the past. Ponies shot, stabbed, cut. He’d even seen cannonballs blast holes in crewmembers, nearly severing them in two. But never before had he seen such outright butchery.

Dinky had slept most of the day. She now came out of the cabin. It was quiet. Many of the crew lazed about the deck in a trancelike stupor. Pip was not going to push them after what they’d witnessed. It would prove to be a payless endeavor. Even he was want for rest and some needed relaxation. He wondered how Radko was doing. He’d never had thought anything would be able to shake that stallion. But it did.

Dinky ambled up to the helm, “How long was I out?” she asked him.

“Most of the day, It’s sunset now.” Pip replied evenly.

“You let me sleep through a whole day!” Dinky said in a shocked tone.

“Be glad that you did. It was not a day of cheer.” Pip replied quietly.

It was now that Dinky looked around and noticed the general lack of movement aboard the Bonnie Lass. The ponies that sat around or in groups, somber faced and quiet.

“What happened? Did we lose somepony?” She asked quietly, stepping closer to Pip.

“No. We’re all accounted for.” Pip replied.

“Where is Radko? And Nixx?” Dinky noticed the absence of the more prevalent regulars.

“Like I said, it was a rough day. The ship from last night. We found it again.” He said quietly.

“I slept through a fight?!” Dinky said in disbelief.

“No, there was no fight. There was nopony to offer one.” Pip replied.

“What do you mean, did they surrender?” Dinky asked.

“No. They were all dead. Every one of them, it was horrible. Somepony, or something, killed them all. They were strung up by their hind legs, dangling in the rigging. Gutted, bleeding, and blowing in the wind. It was terrible. I’m glad you slept through it.” Pip let it all out at once in a quiet broken voice.

“By Celestia. How horrible. I don’t even know what to say. It must have been terrible. What did you do? Are you ok?” Dinky said quietly.

“We boarded it. Radko, Nixx and I. We went aboard and searched the deck. Radko found a body. Mutilated and destroyed. It was Nixx who found what we brought back. A journal in the bodies coat pocket; and another medallion, which he pulled from its mouth with magic.” Pip said.

Dinky stood there in silence. She had no idea what she could say to that. Instead she stepped close to Pip and nuzzled him under his chin. The simple act saying more than she could have with words, she could feel his shoulders relax a bit as he sighed.

Danza and Zanza came out from below. They were not as quiet, talking to crew members; they were the night shift, whatever had happened during the day they were mostly oblivious to. They found out the story quickly though from the surgeon. He was top deck as well. Looking over the quieter ponies to be sure they were ok. The Zebra twins stopped and talked to the surgeon for some time before Danza came up to take the wheel from Pip. It was now starting to get dark and Pip had a decision to make.

“Raise the sails. Drop anchor. We stay here for the night. The crew needs it. Danza, Zanza look over Bonnie Lass. It’ll be a quiet night I’m sure.” Pip said. The crew on top deck immediately began securing the ship for the night. Pip and Dinky worked their way below deck. There they found the galley at full steam. Apparently the chef’s had heard and were cooking up a good meal for the crew. The word was quickly passed of a large meal and a bit more lenient allowance of grog for the night.

Once the meal was served and the grog handed out the crew began to unwind from the days stressful events. Soon they were playing games and singing songs. Their spirits lifted with the good food and the mind numbing effect of the alcohol. Even Pip partook in a cup. Dinky passed like usual. She had no affinity for the strong drink. Pip normally didn't either but a cup once and awhile was not uncommon.

They enjoyed a festive meal and a rare, once in a blue moon desert. Desert being a thing vastly uncommon while at sea. This day had been one that deserved it though. Pip and Dinky bid the crew good night after enjoying the revelries for a short time. Pip was tired, Dinky still needed more rest as well. They headed to top deck where Danza was at the helm. Zanza sat at the prow of the ship watching over things in quiet. Radko and Stormwing had also found their way up top. Radko looked much improved but still haggard and prone to shivers once in a while. Pip left them alone, following Dinky into their cabin. There he hung his saber and hat upon the bedrail like usual. He rolled into the bed and reached over to close the window hatch. The night air was cold and he just wanted to be warm. He lay on his back staring at the ceiling, wondering to himself what it was, if anything, Nixx would find. The tech must have fallen asleep; Pip had thought to hear from him before the night end but had seen neither hide nor hair of him since he went below. His mind wandered to and fro before he just stared at the ceiling in a blank stare.

Dinky moved to the bed after she had brushed her main out for the night. At his side she leaned over and nuzzled his neck, waking him from his stupor. Pip looked at her with care and nuzzled back affectionately. He went to lie back once more but Dinky didn’t let him, she leaned forward and locked him in a passionate kiss. Pip felt a wave of heat shoot through his body. He leaned into the kiss, returning the passion lip for lip. Dinky pushed him back down gently and climbed onto the bed above him, effectively straddling him. Pip had no intention of letting sleep get between them now; wrapping his forearms around her in a warm and lustful, yet loving and gentle embrace. Their passion and lovemaking only grew from there in the young night. Sleep would come, but for now, they were going to enjoy each other.

Gallopfrey

Gallopfry

The Bonnie Lass bobbed in the sea just outside of Gallopfry, they had arrived in the early hours of the afternoon after a long day of quick sailing. The crew stood about the deck as they decided what to do. They’d been expecting to find a bustling island community but instead they looked upon a burnt out town. The wood of the buildings was dry-rotted, roads were growing grass and most of the town was in shambles. Something had happened here, but whatever it was had happened a long time ago.

Pip and Radko stood looking through their sets of spotter scopes. There was no sign of habitation in the town. Not even birds could be heard above. There was an eerie calm about the island.

“Well I see no reason that we should not land. It would seem that nopony is home.” Radko said. He’d improved greatly since the previous night, as had most of the crew it would seem.

“Very well, Nixx, Radko, Quix, your with me. Let’s make this quick. Bring us in close and drop anchor so that the cannons are facing the town. If we run into trouble we will signal.” Pip said to Dinky and Danza as they began moving towards the town.

Once they were close enough to the town to see detail with the naked eye they turned their port side to the town. All cannons faced and ready for action if needed. They lowered a long boat off the side, Pip and his team climbed down and settled into the boat. Each grabbed an oar and began rowing towards shore. The sea was a little choppy near the ship but it calmed down the closer they got to the beach.

Once close enough Radko and Pip jumped out and hauled the boat to shore while Nixx and Quix trotted up the beach a few ponylenghts. It was quiet. No birds, no animals of any sorts. Quite unsettling; Pip trotted to Nixx’s side, noticing the medallions hanging there from his pack. Apparently the tech didn’t want to leave them behind so as not to miss any moment he might be able to study them.

“Where do we start?” Nixx said.

“There is a road directly ahead. It’s as good a place as any.” Radko replied.

With that they set forward, cautiously, taking their time and observing as they went. They reached the road at the edge of the town as they proceeded. The once nicely layed out cobblestone path was now mostly covered in grass and dirt, the clack of a hoof could only be heard when one happened upon an as of yet uncovered brick, otherwise it was a dull thump like one hears when walking in the grass.

They worked their way through the town; it was abandoned by the looks of it and had been for some time. What houses had not fallen into ruin were boarded up and silent. They passed by some with missing windows, to which they would stop and look inside, rewarded with emptiness and more silence. They continued quietly, none of them saying a word. They had made it to what looked like a commons area, a square it would seem, shops were boarded up as well.

“Well, it looks like were at an impasse here. It doesn’t look like anyone is home. What do we do now?” Nixx said.

“We should return to the ship.” Quix tossed in nervously.

“Perhaps we should. But I think we should look around a little more, in case we missed something.” Radko said quietly.

“We need to look a little more, I’m not satisfied yet. Something is missing here.” Pip said.

“Something missing? You mean something besides everypony?” Nixx said with a chuckle.

Pip and Radko smirked back at this as well. The light humor was not missed on them.

“This way. We’ll follow this next road, it should circle around to where we started I’d imagine.” Pip said and headed off down to go down a side road, Nixx, Radko, and Quix followed closely.

They turned a corner to the road in question and as they did Radko stopped just in front of Pip. There just down the road, stood a solitary pony. Nothing special about him, or her, they could not tell past the leather garb they wore. The pony stood there, looking on them with a calm expression. Pip and his band returned the look. Radko was the first to speak up.

“Who are....” He never got to finish, the pony bolted down another street. Radko stuttered off his question and bolted after the stranger, Pip and the others hot behind him. They turned another corner, just in time to see the stranger bolt down another. They followed quickly, gaining with every turn. Soon they were almost close enough to catch up when the pony bolted down another street. They followed on a dime and were in a courtyard. There they ground to a halt, there were now eight other ponies, all in similar dark garb. Two more filled in behind them, cutting off any escape route. Pip and the others formed a defensive circle, flank to flank, all facing outward.

“You come to take more of us away? I have to admit, you’re something different than the others that come normally. Did they send you to do their dirty work? Or perhaps they sent you to coax us away instead of by force. Well I hate to inform you but that won’t work. Not this time. I’m afraid you’d stepped into the wrong place.” Said a pony that was just behind the wall of strangers, the one they’d followed Pip realized.

“What are you talking about? Take you? Until just now we thought we were alone here! What do you mean by this?” Nixx shot back.

“Silence, liar! I can see your little medallions. I can see who your with. Foal, you think we would not guess with such a blatant symbol looking us in the eye? Your more foolish than I suspected. But enough is enough. Your time is up pretenders.” The pony said.

There was a single loud rasping noise as the ponies surrounding them drew short blades from beneath their cloaks. They began moving inward cautiously.

“Wait!” Pip shouted, “We truly do not know what your speaking of! You must believe us!”

The ponies kept advancing calmly. “What could you possibly do to convince us of that? You come into our port, face your guns to our town, trespass without announcement, give chase when you happen upon a lone pony, your actions scream of your intentions. And as I stated before, your crewmembers petty medals hanging from his pack confirm it all.” The pony said in response.

“The medallions are not ours!” Pip shot back.

“Likely story fiend. If they are not yours then how did you get them?” It asked in a mocking tone.

As Pip did his best to convince them the other ponies still slowly moved in with their drawn blades, they could now see their eyes from under their dark hoods. They were full of hate and malice.

“One of them was given to me after responding to an emergency. A town called Jibland was sacked not long ago by a ship nopony could recognize. The second we came across in our voyage here, we were attacked by a ship in the night, we drove them off, only to discover later the next day the same ship, dead in the water. Its crew strung up and killed. The medallion was left in the mouth of one of the dead!” Pip shouted the last sentence as the circle of ponies rapidly closed, moving to kill.

There was a loud clack of hoof against cobble. The ponies stopped their advance instantly; the blade of the pony in front of Pip was less than a hooflenght from his neck. There was another rasp of blade against metal as they sheathed their swords in perfect unison. They then stood in a smaller circle around the band, a circular wall of black and deep crimson.

“Smile.” Came the command, quietly at first. There was a moment of pause, then again, this time louder, “Smile!”

The band looked at eachother for a second before smiling; it was not a happy smile they wore though. Not at all attractive, almost humorous; they held like that for some time. There was the sound of hooves as another pony came out of a deserted doorway, Pip could see him now, he was an older unicorn. Grey around the muzzle. He carried a pack on him and wore no cloak. He also had a monocle over one eye.

The pony gently pushed through the ring of dark garbed ponies and stepped up to Pip. He looked closely at pips face, his teeth. Then his horn glowed blue and there was a rustle in the satchel on his side. Two strange looking devices floated out. They were both metal, one had a reflective mirror attached to the side, the other was just another bar with a piece of straight smooth metal attached to its end. Pip could feel the cold metal move his top lip up, the mirror floated closer until pip could no longer see it, the Pony looked at his mouth, not unlike a dentist would. He felt the cold metal press against his gums just above and to the side of his front teeth. Then the pony withdrew the utensils and moved to Radko, where he did the same and then to Quix and then finally Nixx.

Once finished he moved back outside the circle of ponies and nodded to the other stranger they had chased and done the talking. This pony looked at his band, still smiling in cautious smiles. Not sure what to do next.

There was a clattering of hooves racing towards them. “They’re coming!” Shouted a new voice. Pip dropped his smile and looked fully to the strange pony who was obviously in charge here. The pony looked him in the eye. “If you have any signal for your crew to head to open waters I’d send it now.” He stated quickly.

“Why?” Pip asked.

“Don’t question me! Just do it!” Shouted the pony.

“Do it Nixx!” Pip relayed.

At this Nixx conjured up a red orb. Once released it rocketed past them like a bolt of lightning. Passing through buildings and other ponies alike. They crew of the ship would know that things were ok but it was time to go into hiding. Pip only had a moment to worry about Dinky before he was interrupted in his thought.

“Take them.” Commanded the pony.

There was a rush of movement from the ponies surrounding them. The next thing Pip knew was darkness as a sack was forced over his head. He could not see a thing but was instead jostled into quick movement by the bodies of the others. They moved quickly, turning down roads and dashing down others. Pip had no idea how they effectively guided him so quickly but soon enough there was a clang of metal on rock and he was drug into a doorway. Another clang sounded as the door closed behind him; even with his vision blocked by the sack over his head he knew it was dark now. They must be underground he imagined.

His thoughts were soon confirmed as they tore the sacks off their heads. It was very dark, the only source of light came from torches spaced evenly throughout the tunnel. It was a tunnel after all Pip realized quickly. Once his eyes adjusted he could see a little more clearly.

“Move. We need to keep moving.” Said one of the ponies as they firmly pushed Pip and his group to get them under way; it was a long tunnel, made of old stone masonry, not dirt like an escape tunnel, and everything was damp and musty. The cold was a bit surprising but to be expected in a tunnel with no sunlight available from above.

They walked for what seemed like a long time but proved to only be a short while; the seeming long time was compounded by the uniform walls of stone. The group came to a halt after turning into another tunnel, Pip looked around for a reason to the halt but was unable to imagine why. That is until the lead pony stepped up to the wall and pushed on a stone block with a forehoof. There was a second of quiet and then a deep grinding sound emitted from the wall. To his amazement the wall receded into itself and then slid sideways where it then stayed. There was another tunnel beyond it. Much more light and leading into what looked like a large atrium. Pip was at once amazed and curious as to whom this shadowy secretive group was. He was sure to keep his guard up, as were the rest of his band.

Once they emerged into the atrium three things happened in rapid succession. First there was a sharp whistle followed by a flurry of movement all around them, high and low. Then a sharp voice, “Who are you intruders!”

Pip was suddenly aware of a large number of the dark robed ponies all around him and his band. All of them were armed, some with sword, some with guns. There were, Pip noticed, a small number of ponies mixed in with the main body that were vastly different than the rest. At once he could tell they were all large stallions, and every one of them were unicorns. But what got his attention the most about them was their attire. Unlike the dark robes and form fitting leather armor that most of them wore the group of unicorn stallions wore suits of heavy plate armor over chainmail hauberks.

Each one of the large stallions also wore helmets so one could not see their face. Their armor was thick by the look of it, made for very violent battles no doubt. Each of the stallions also carried a multitude of weapons, currently they were pointing crossbows at his band, even the crossbows were large weapons, the bolts were almost as long as his entire shin bone of his front legs. Every inch of their weapons and armor were covered in decorative engravings of vines and leaves and what parts of their armor that was not covered in dents and scratches was polished to a shine. They were vastly frightening compared to the other ponies they towered over.

Again came the voice, “What are you doing here intruders? Tell me before you die. You carry the mark of the enemy, and you have the nerve to show face in our home.” There was a reply made from the leader of the ponies who brought them here. “They are not with the enemy. We’ve checked them thoroughly, yes, they have the medallions the others carry but they found them during their travels. They are here of their own mission. We thought they were with the enemy as well when we trapped them above but they proved otherwise.”

The lead pony now dissolved from the crowd. He wore the same armor many of them wore, but he had forgone the hood that many of them wore. His coat was a burnt orange color, almost like the color of rust, and he had a deep black mane. The pony stepped up to Pip and his group and stared them each in the eye quietly, he then looked to the pony in the group that had looked, strange as Pip had found it, at their teeth. The pony nodded to him in return.

He looked back to Pip and his band, “Welcome to our humble abode strangers. And welcome to the fight. If you are who you say you are than I welcome you as friends. But if you plan deceit then know this. If I find out, or anypony here uncovers a truth besides that which you claim then you’re dying screams will be lost on deaf ears in this place.” With that he turned and retreated into another tunnel and vanished.

The ponies all around him disbanded and returned to milling about the large atrium. Pip and his band were left unceremoniously standing in the center with not a clue as what to do next. They didn’t stay long like that though for after a moment the pony that had brought them there came to them.

“Follow me. I’ll show you to some rooms and answer what questions you may have.” He said and proceeded to lead them down yet another passage. They walked into another large room after a moment. This one had an open fire pit, at which a few ponies stood around tending three large vats.

“Here you will find food, down to your left is another room for sleeping and to your right you will find the washrooms. Go where you please and consider yourselves guests, what is ours is yours” Said the pony.

“Are you sure?” Pip asked as the pony made to leave, “Your superior did not seem too pleased about our being here.”

“Don’t worry about Ironhide, he is slow to trust anypony outside of your family.” Replied their host said dismissively.

“Family? You mean to tell me this is all one family? And what is this enemy you speak so adamantly about?” Pip questioned further.

“Friend, I mean not to be rude when I say this, but I must go and cannot answer your questions further. There will be time for that later. Right now I have matters I must attend to. You have two options, you can either stay here till I return, or, if you can work and talk at once you can come with me and I’ll tell you what I know.” Said the pony, in an almost challenging tone.

Pip looked at his group, they looked back, intentions clear. They would follow him whatever he decided. “We’re listening.” He replied.
҉
They had listened intently to every word the pony told them. Information was important for their voyage and this pony seemed to have plenty of it.

“First off, the medallions you have. They are like guides to them, as well as identification. They all have one, it’s like how we use flags to recognize friend or foe. Some of them even contain map information.” He started as they moved into and through another antechamber full of sleeping ponies.

“Yes, that’s what led us here, one of the medallions we have had the island in place of a cutie mark.” Pip replied.

“Your quicker than we thought. Yes, that is common it would seem, each medallion we have found or attained contain has a figure with a cutie mark showing locations from all over the known world. We have many of them stored in a room dedicated to our plans to rid our island of the enemy. They have been spreading over the world slowly but steadily for many years now. What it is that drives them I do not know but they are brutal, efficient, and number in thousands. We’ve slowed their progress here for years now.” Continued the pony.

“You keep saying they. Who are they? Or if not who than what? Griffons? Monsters?” Nixx interjected.

“You do not know? I fear you’re in for an awakening friend. They are as much a who as a what.” He continued into another tunnel. “ We've been fighting them ever since they first arrived on our shores. They are a ruthless enemy, as ruthless as they are strange.” He said.

They ended up in a large room, an armory Pip soon realized. There were three of the large unicorn stallions, all in their full battle regalia, tending to the arms and armor. Their guide walked up to one of them and exchanged a few quiet words.

The next thing Pip knew was that he was being sized up by one of the giants who was now walking a circle around him. He could see up close the detail in the unicorns armor. It was polished to a shine and reflected the fires of the nearby forge in warped perfection. There were engravings covering every surface of it, some were vines and leaves, others were scripture in another tongue that Pip couldn’t decipher. They all had one thing in common, the symbol on their breastplates were all the same. A rearing unicorn with a shield and sword behind hit.

Three times the stallion circled Pip before walking off to a far chest. Here it stayed for some time. It was then he noticed the other unicorns doing the same to the rest of his crew. They all were being looked over, evaluated, for what though Pip could not imagine. The Unicorn that had been circling him returned with a tough but thin woven coat and an odd mesh fabric made of little metal rings that shined as much as their armor did. Using magic the unicorn secured the coat snugly around Pips body, closely followed by the mesh suit which secured to the undercoat via links that were stitched into the coat. It was a snug fit but allowed for free movement and easy breathing. Pip was still trying to figure out what was going on when he felt a cap, also made of the strong woven fabric, secured around his head and then another piece of the mail top lowered on top of it and secured. The unicorn circled once more before walking away, apparently satisfied.

Pip looked at himself as best he could, the shining mail was secured tightly, and it was markedly quiet compared to most mail. Pip noticed it was remarkably lightweight as well to his relative surprise.

He looked around when more movement drew his attention. He noticed the others had been similarly outfitted. Or at least Nixx and the Surgeon had been. They both were being taught how to function smaller versions of the large crossbows the stallions carried, they were proving quick learners. It wasn’t until the Unicorns around Radko stepped away that Pip was really surprised.

Radko had been outfitted quite differently than them. He still had the mail suit like they did but across his chest, shoulders and flank they had affixed the same shining plate mail they wore. He resembled a lighter armored version of the unicorn stallions, but there was a difference about his armor Pip quickly realized. On Radko’s legs, where they had attached shin guards of the same plate, were sharp blades, in the front at least. On both his rear legs were two tubes, thin and flush with the top of his hooves. What they were he didn’t know.

He was quickly informed though. Radko was pointed over to a piece of wood. There the unicorn motioned for him to buck
it, which Radko did without question. Upon impact of his hoof sharp spikes shot forth from each tube punching through the wood in the blink of an eye before receding back into their housing before his hooves hit the floor. Pip was amazed, also a little confused at why they didn’t activate when he walked. It must have something to do with the force exerted from the buck of a strong pony like Radko. Perhaps they were only designed to be used by some ponies that had the strength for it. Pip could only speculate though. Radko looked to the Unicorns masked face and was granted a satisfied nod before the stallion walked away.

Their guide pony walked to them from the far end of the room. He’d been watching the on goings in a relaxed state, leaning against the wall he had observed quietly as the band was outfitted. He addressed them as they all met back up in the middle of the room. “They will protect you better than what you had. Most of us don’t wear them as we choose not to. But you all seem to be able to function in them without too much of a problem.” He said.

“Well, I have to admit, it is more than what most of us are used to. What is the purpose of the chainmail though?” Pip asked.

To this question the pony chewed on his lip a bit before answering. “Perhaps if I show you you’ll understand better than if I tell you. I fear if I tell, you will not believe me.” He replied. With that he turned sharply and trotted to a spot on the wall where he stepped on a stone plate. There was a familiar grinding noise as the wall receded into the room and opened to the tunnels they had come in from, albeit a different end.

“Follow me, I will show you what it is we face on our island.” Said their leader and vanished into the tunnel followed closely by Pip and his group.

They trotted down the tunnels quickly turning down many side passages some ramped down, some climbed steeply. They ran for a long time, eventually their leader slowed and whispered to them loudly to do the same. They did so quickly, they were breathing steadily, heavy but steady and doing their best to stay quiet.

“What is it?” Pip asked as they walked.

“Were close now, close to the edge of the town, were in the drain systems that run along the roads. There is a drain ahead. We will go there to watch. There you will see.” Said the pony quietly as they walked.

It didn’t take long for them to reach the spot. There were piles of hay and cushions spread out in the tunnel. It was not damp but rather warm and dry. The stones that made up the tunnel were mostly intact but many of them had been removed and the spot they stood in had been excavated and expanded into a large room.

The pony that led them settled down and looked up. There was a hole in the wall near the top, a drainpipe on the road Pip soon realized. “When night begins to fall look out there, you’ll see them soon enough. I warn you though. Make no noise for if they hear you then we’ll be discovered. We’ve done well to keep ourselves hidden in secret and would like to keep it that way.” Said their guide. From there he just watched through the grate.

They stayed there in silence for a while before Pip decided it was ok to ask questions. “Who are you? I mean your family that you spoke of.” He asked quietly.

The pony looked at him for a moment before answering him, “Well most of us are residents of this town, or were rather at one point. When they first attacked we fought back. It was a gruesome fight. We had the upper hand with our shore defense at first but they had numbers where we didn’t. Eventually we ran low on ammo, and bodies to bolster us, soon many of us started seeing the vanity in the fight and fell back to save our families. So many didn’t make it; while we had been busy with the shore we failed to notice the fliers they sent from way on high that swooped in behind us and began sacking the town itself. Stallions, mares, and foals, nopony was safe, it was an extermination. They were only here for our resources and our land. They were quick. Those of us who fought back were picked off quickly, eventually we decided to flee underground, these tunnels were originally made for drainage, but over the years before the attack we learned this island was prone to violent storms, we carved out shelters within the tunnels to take cover from them. They did equally well against the enemy. We, those of us here, are what are left of the town. We were few in numbers for a long time and rarely ventured out at all. But now we’re back to how we were before the attacks and growing steadily.” He replied quietly, staring at a spot on the wall.

“You mean to tell me that there are entire families down here? How do you feed all of them and what about health, and fresh water, and so much more?” Pip replied.

“We do so carefully. And yes, there are many families here, my own included, they are closely guarded, the reason that you have not seen them. They are kept far from here, where we run our war from; it is to keep them safe. These tunnels extend far, far from the town itself, some of their farther reaches we still have yet to explore completely.” He said in reply.

“I see. Well you all seem to be doing quite well down here. That must count for something. Who are the others? The ones in the armor, are they yours? I mean have they always been with you?” Pip questioned back.

“No. No, they are not. They showed up shortly after we began fleeing underground. They were just there, suddenly. We don’t know where they came from or how they knew to come, they just did. We don’t know much about them; all we do know is that they are here to defend us. If they had not shown up when they did I doubt I’d be here speaking to you. They combated our assailants from every angle, sometimes just one of them stood against ten. The way they fought, it was like they knew what to expect. Not a one of them fell that day, not one. There were so many bodies of the others though, they had killed so many attackers that the tunnels ran red with blood for days. Since then they’ve remained with us.” He replied to Pip.

“Who are they though?” Pip reiterated.

“They call themselves Guardians. That much I do know. They don’t speak much, mostly tend to be silent. They keep to themselves unless needed. But even with that they do so much for us. They help us with so much, their brute strength and ability to fight is surpassed only by their knowledge. They helped us learn how to grow food down here, clean water; they helped us carve out a living down here. If not for them we would have died long ago. Still nopony is sure where they come from or who they are. What I tell you now is all we really know about them.”
Pip was unsure what to think about that, all he could wonder was what that meant for them. He could think of nothing else to ask so he took a seat and watched through the grate at the falling sun. Nixx to his left conjured up one of the glowing orbs they used to signal the ship in secret and let it fly, once it started up it went transparent and zoomed away quickly. A few anxious minutes passed as they waited to see if they would receive a response, the previous night they had not and had been left to wonder if their ship and crew were ok. There was a sudden hum and a blue orb hovered just in front of them, it was from their ship, everything was good, they must have found a place to lie low and wait. They all inadvertently let out sighs of relief, to which their guide chuckled warmly. “I know what you all mean.” He said simply.

There was a sudden scraping from above, they all fell silent immediately. It sounded again; there were more scratches this time. Pip and his crew watched the grate carefully, breaths held in fear and anticipation. The scratching grew louder, more frequent. Quix stood up quietly and moved slowly to the grate, looking closer. The noise got closer quickly and Quix stumbled backward in fear suddenly. They all bolted up expecting the worst but were surprised when a group of rats came scurrying through the grate and scampered down the tunnel away from them. Quix stood up and dusted himself off. It didn’t take long for him to notice their antagonistic grins. He took a breath and shook himself out, daring them to laugh.

There was a heavy thump outside, followed by three more in rapid succession. They all went rigid and crouched, all serious now. Their leader motioned them up to the grate, obviously having done so himself before. They walked closer to the hole, as quietly as they could manage and peered outward. They could see three figures in the dark night shade of the building in front of them. It was hard to make them out; they were mostly silhouettes in the darkness.

There they watched quietly, barely drawing breath as they did so. Minutes of silence passed by; then as Pip watched, one of the figures moved into the moonlight. Pip had to do all he could to stifle the gasp that fought its way to his mouth. The others could be heard choking back theirs as well, quietly swallowing their fears.

The creature was bigger than them, but not as large as the unicorns that had so interested Pip when they had first seen them. But that was the simple side. They all had variations of dark coats, and many of them were unicorns; almost all of them were actually as more stepped into the light. They wore simple armor of woven fabrics and, to their disgust, leather; some had crude iron plates attached at vital points of their body as well.

Pip inspected them as best he could, drinking in every detail. What he found the most shocking though were the wings. All of them had wings. The only creatures in all his life he’d ever seen with wings and horn were the Alicorn sisters that ruled Equestria. They were the only ones he knew had ever existed. He thought hard again, as more detail was revealed, primarily the wings he noticed. They were not feathered like a pegasai’s or as the ruling sisters; instead they were covered in a soft, sparse fur, and were webbed. Much like a bats wings were. He’d never in all his years seen anything like it.

There was a quiet scratching next to him he noticed. He glanced over to Quix. The surgeon was drawing furiously on a piece of parchment. Drawing the equine creatures in the best detail he could between glances. They were ponies, or at least resembled them for the most part. The surgeon missed no detail from the wings to the horn and...Pip glanced again at the drawing as Quix sketched more details, what he thought he had mistaken for an error from the speed of the sketch were indeed placed on purpose, much to all of their horror. Fangs. Large fangs.

Pip looked back slowly to the creatures in the night street, carefully inspecting their faces to be sure of the drawing. Then as one turned its head he saw them, two long pointed fangs protruding from the pony’s mouth. Like a saber cat of the north. Why any pony would need fangs like that was beyond Pips understanding, or at least it was. There was a rustle and a thump as something was knocked over in the building in front of them. The ponies outside looked to the building and stood still. A rabbit bolted out from the rubble in front of them and was quickly grabbed up by the nearest figure. There was a loud popping noise followed by a crunch, Pip watched in mixed disgust and horror as the pony ate the rabbit, blood running in small rivulets down its chin.

He could watch no longer. Pip backed up and looked to their guide with shock. The guide looked back to him somberly. He stood and slowly and quietly began walking back the way they had come. Pips crew was still standing at the grate, watching in horrified fascination. Their ears down low and eye’s wide; they one by one fell back quietly from the grisly scene, catching up with their guide at the end of the long tunnel.

“What are they? They can’t be ponies. I mean, the wings, or more importantly, the way it ate that rabbit. They couldn’t eat meat. Could they? Are they even ponies?” Pip asked.

“Yes and no.” Said their guide as he turned to lead them all back to the shelter.

“You must know! Tell us!” Nixx said in a loud raspy whisper.
“I do, but I think you will get a better explanation from another pony.” He replied.

This took them all back a bit, until now their guide had been more than helpful in filling in the gaps in their knowledge. What was it that kept him from telling them this? Nixx went to say more, to try forcing it out of him but Pip quelled that with a solid look. Nixx huffed and let it go at that. They returned to the den in silence. Back through the door they had left through.

There was only one stallion there in the room now. He stood guard at the door as they walked in. He was standing at the center of the room, a tower of muscle and metal. Pip went to remove the armor, as did the rest of his band when they were interrupted.

“Don’t. It is yours now.” Said a deep yet calm and not unkind voice from behind the helmet of the unicorn.

Pip looked up at the giant, to him at least, and replied, “Whatever for? Don’t you need it back?”

There was no response. Only silence, as was their way. Pip was not one to push a point he didn’t understand so he left the armor on and bowed to the stallion respectfully. He was granted with a nod in return. No words needed for understanding, he was glad they were relatively friendly.

They were left at liberty by their guide who left them at the room with food, still hot Pip noticed.

“Eat, and then rest. I know you want to discuss more about the enemy we face here but I tire of talk and need rest after this eventful day. Please take no insult at my shortness. I will send for you in the morning, and then we will tell you whatever you want to know. For now though rest and relax.” He said, and trotted heavily to the sleeping quarters.
Nixx and the others didn’t move until Pip did. He looked around and then out of the blue was waved over to a large table with a group of other ponies. Pip looked to his crew and shrugged. He cantered over and they all sat around the table where the others gave them a once over.

“So you’re the new faces here.” Said the pony in a calm voice, “The ones off the ship? Are you from the north? Couldn’t be far from here, you don’t seem to have to harsh an accent, well save for your pall here.” He finished gesturing to Radko.

“Yes, it would seem we are, I am Pip, this is Nixx, Quix, and Radko all of the Bonnie Lass.” He replied kindly.

“Quix and Nixx, you two related?” asked the pony.

“No, were not. They call my Quix because of my profession. I’m the ships surgeon, my name is actually Quickfix but they gave me a name instead. Nixx is our tech on board. Again, no relation.” Quix interjected.

“And you are?” Pip said.

“I’m Shatterhoof, you can call me Shatter though, most do around here. I was a mason before we came down here. I guess I still am really, I do most of the stone work you see around you.” He replied equally.

“A pleasure to meet you Shatter.” Pip said kindly.

They went back and forth like this for some time, eventually they were joined by other ponies as they came in ones and twos for what must be the evening meal. Pip and his crew mingled with the ponies and found most of them were just as their guide had told them. Town folk from before they were driven underground; friendly and warm to their guests, soon they were talking amicably between one another; fitting in easily with the ponies of the island town. Pip was kindly surprised by the simplicity of the town, they were like any other town one could find in Equestria but they knew what lie out beyond their underground safe house, they were tough and smart, all of them. Pip was glad they had found them and not the other creatures that prowled the land above.

As he retired for the evening he lay in his bunk surrounded by his troop, all of them sleeping heavily; his thoughts roamed through the day’s events. Their arrival, their capture by what they had thought at first to be an enemy. And then moving onward to the strange creatures they had seen. The ponies, if that’s what they truly were. Strange and fear inducing creatures. As his eyes began to droop his thoughts hovered to his ship, and more so to his mare. He could only wonder about her, he was fully aware the ship and she were safe for the time being but he was worried none-the-less. Just before he closed his eyes he opened them to the darkness around him once more and was warmed through and through when he spotted a single light purple bubble dancing about in front of him before landing on his nose. At that he sighed and fell into much needed sleep.

Tales of Old

Breakfast was hot and quick. Oatmeal with strawberries, water, and many other choices were ranged about the table. Food Pip never would have guessed would be available in an underground environment like the one they found themselves a part of. He and his crew ate quickly, they were due to meet their guide, his name still unknown to Pip; from there they would be taken to another part of the labyrinthine underground town to meet with somepony that was going to fill them in with information based on their experience the night before. Pip was eager to finally get some real answers.

Their guide had made it clear that he could not, nor would he; explain things to them, regardless of the fact that he was well aware. Their guide had pleaded to them that even though he could tell them his knowledge was only rudimentary at best, and that it would not have the same value as sompony who knew first hand.

They finished their meals quickly and were immediately whisked away by two ponies who escorted them to a new side of the complex where they met their guide outside of a large set of wooden doors. The doors were carved in tasteful designs, swirling vines and expertly carved, probably with magic he guessed, figures upon all its surfaces.

“Once inside we must remain silent. He has agreed to speak at length with us, you and your crew primarily, which as you may know is no small matter to them. He knows much more than anypony besides the others of his group of course and will tell you everything he deems to be fair knowledge. And may I say that it is a lot as I’ve been told the same story you are about to hear many years ago myself. Save your questions till the end if you have any. He will answer them as best he can.” Their guide prompted them before he rapped the doors with a forehoof.

A second passed and then with a deep groan the door opened just enough to admit them into the chamber. Once inside the door closed behind them quietly. Two guards on either side stood still and observant. Pip looked around the small, relatively speaking at least, courtyard. It was not much different than the rest of the large rooms all about the facility.

The only noticeable differences were the vines that covered many of the walls and most of the ceiling. Some bore fruit, others fragrant white flowers. It also had a stream of fresh water flowing in a winding path along the floor. It was all together a peaceful place.

They walked slowly over an exposed path of rounded cobblestone path, soon reaching the center of the room where a large raised platform jutted out above the ground. It was here they stopped, standing in the center motionless and quiet.
That lasted but a moment before a voice; deep and resonant, poured forth from what seemed like every angle of the circular room. “Welcome strangers. I’ve heard your story, now hear mine, for within it lays the information you seek. Be at rest, no harm will come to you here.” It said, and so they made themselves comfortable and prepared to listen.

“We, as you know, are known only as Guardians. Our presence here exists only because of the presence of those we fight against. The Draquus. But that is part of the story I must tell you of how this came to be. It’s crucial you understand what it is you face and the threat it poses to your own nation.”

A brief pause ensued before the voice continued.

We, the Guardians and the Draquus, come from the same region. More still we hail from the very same empire. Our nation stood, one of magic, powerful magic. Where many of your nations hold a mixture of the different races, Pegasai, Earth, and Unicorn, ours contained only one. Unicorns. Our entire population, not out of want mind you, it was just so.

Now, as all unicorns are magic users by nature so too were we; but we did not simply use it. We studied it, did all we could to understand it, learned all we could about its rhythms and currents; its advantages and its dangers. We found much, and learned much, all the time. But nothing was more educational or rewarding as the magic in the world around us, the plants and animals, latent magic; all around us.

Knowing this we studied nature, learned how to work with the natural world, how to shape it with magic and how to live with it better than most do. We tended to the world around us, the woods, the grasslands, the sea and sky, and in return we were rewarded with powerful magic and bountiful resources which in turn fueled our empire.

Our cities grew over time, spreading across our lands. They were said to resemble the cities of the Druids one may hear tales of. In truth we were much like the Druids, but we did not dedicate our entire lives to nature alone. Our cities resembled the trees in their decorations only. Our villages and towns as well, we coexisted with nature differently than our Druidic cousins; they harness all their magic from nature alone, provide for themselves from what the land offers and live not beside or among the natural world like us, but instead with it, as one. Many of them resemble the plants or animals they most cherish. They are like us in ways, but vastly different.

Our studies of the magic in the natural world eventually led us to gain the abilities to harness that magic, both active and latent, to empower our own magic and so powered our empire with it.

It was the profit, the power, we made from our studies that was our downfall. You see, with the great power we achieved, like with any power, came responsibility, respect, and discipline. With such powerful magic at our hooftips it was our job as guardians to ensure that ability was taught to all in the right manners, and so we did for many centuries. But like all great things there is a rise and a fall if not cared for properly, the foundation must be cared for or else it crumbles and falls to ruin, as was the fate of our empire.

It was quick. Barely a fortnight in all, and it was all over. The creatures you know as the Draquus, they overran our borders in droves, and it was all we could do to just flee before their tide. It was not until many years later that my brethren before me discovered what our undoing had been.” The pony started in his first long breath.

They stirred but little upon the platform, afraid to make too much noise for the sake of comfort before the voice began again.

“In the time of our prosperity there was a pony born in our midst. A unicorn, not uncommon from any others; from a young age he preferred to be alone, studying magic in his own way. He rarely worked with any others, but he learned quickly and soon was admitted to our ranks, an adept magic user like us, and as sharp minded as our own commanders. He did very well for his youth.

But there were times he did not show, sometimes for long spans, days at times, we thought naught of it. Considered it had to do with more of his studies. How were we to know he was deep in the wilds, in the high mountains, conversing and growing close to an ancient and powerful magic we were unaware of ourselves, unaware of until it was too late for us.

A dragon, ancient and powerful, had been watching our empire with envious eyes. This creature had befriended a pony, one of ours, the very one who did so well in our ranks. We discovered later that he’d taken to studying this dragon, a malevolent evil creature it was. It twisted his mind and made him into a monster.

It was the dragon who created the Draquus; they were the lost of our outer empire. When the dragon sacked our settlements, any who didn’t flee or were left for dead were given a choice, join them, or die. Those who joined him were changed forever by the dragons own magic. They remained unicorns like us but they were changed, twisted as the dragon who now owned them. Wings and fangs they grew, their brightly colored coats turned dark, some midnight blue, some black. Their eyes, pupils to be exact changed. No longer warm and kind, but sharp and hateful, like a lion. But with the change as well came one thing more. Their magic was taken from them. Not completely, but enough so that the power they’d grown accustomed too was gone forever from them, their no more adept at magic than a colt.”

There was a pause, a moment of quiet as their still unrecognized story teller gained his breath once more.

“They came in the night, hundreds, perhaps thousands of them. Silent as the darkness until they struck; even with all the power we had it could do nothing against the sheer force of numbers and the surprise. Within the hour our forces on every border were overwhelmed. Our leaders were dead, as were so many others, families, friends, young and old. Driven from our cities by the Draquus we fled our country and melted into the world as it is known now. We of the Guardians stayed together, we regrouped and rebuilt our order and learned what we could from the few that still remained.

So we have maintained since. Fighting this enemy in the quiet edges of the world, forgotten and lost to time; but now we are coming back to light, not out of choice, or because we seek to, but because our fight has expanded into other territories. They are on the move, what for we are yet unsure as why, but we do know that they still maintain great numbers, not as many as before, but still many more than we ourselves do. They are a great threat to anyone they encounter, vicious creatures, hateful and angry. One thing we are sure of is that their leader of old. The dragon is long dead. We saw to that much before our complete fall. So doubt nothing when it comes to them my diminutive friends, their dangerous enemy and need to be stopped, this we shall do, as is our duty as guardians.”

Silence ensued once more but didn’t break this time. Their guide stood quietly and yawned a small yawn. They followed quietly in standing. The guide looked about and started towards the door followed by Nixx and Radko. Pip looked around as well as did Quix. Pip turned to the front of the room and looked up to where the voice had started.

“Who are you?” Quix shouted up, voicing Pips thoughts before he himself could even decide if he should, or wanted to, ask.

There was a gentle hum next to him, followed by sparks that seemed to snap in the air around him. Pip and Quix both hurriedly backed off the dais for fear of what it was doing. The sparking became more rapid, lines of blue light crackled in arcs around the dais, soon there was a dark blue glow hovering above the pedestal. Pip and the others backed away a little more.

Then with a flash and loud clap that startled them all there was a pony standing upon the dais. Or so they thought. It was a Draquus, Fangs, Wings, and all. They jumped, even their guide did, Radko charged forward and placed himself between Pip and the Draquus, ready to charge to give Pip and the others time to flee.

Before he could do that though the other pony did something unexpected, he swayed, unsteady on his hooves, almost like one would before fainting. Radko looked confused, as did the others when Pip looked around. The Draquus was shaking and sweating. Quix edged out from behind Radko and crept up to the Dais where he slowly and carefully approached the creature proffering a flask of water. He set it before the Draquus and stepped back a bit. There was a glow around the flask, and it hovered over to the Draquus who then took a drink before setting down, eyes closed to compose himself.

They waited, and as they did Pip studied the strange Unicorn, for that after all was what he is, or at least was. The Draquus was bedecked in the same fashion as himself. A light, shiny mail shirt that covered his chest and shoulders he’d forgone the hauberk it would seem, in preference to freer movement. He had as well the same tubes around his legs that Radko now wore. He also had small circular plates on either shoulder. But what caught Pips eye was not the armor, but rather what it was covered in. Unlike all the armored ponies he’d seen, including now his own repertoire, vines and plants engraved upon the armor bits covered them. This one’s was covered in words, every inch, engraved upon the plate pieces, front and back it would seem.

Pip continued to study the strange creature, the pony, or Draquus. It was taller than many of the ponies in the room, but only slightly more so than Radko. And he had a slight frame, not thin, but not bulky like many of the heavily armored Guardians. His coat was a dark midnight blue, as were his wings, their bat-like membrane was nearly transparent in the direct light. The more unnerving fangs, small but visible as they protruded just beyond his upper lip, ivory white, his mane was pulled up in a tight eastern style, cinched with a dark blue cord, the rest down his neck had been trimmed close to his back.

In the time it took Pip to gather all this information the Draquus had recovered it’s bearings and now stood back up, the action causing many of them to back up a step.

“Don’t fear, I’m not a threat to you all. I promise. I apologize for my appearance, but as you can see my stories are true.” Said the Draquus.

“So it would seem. Why are you even here then? Are you not one of them?” Pip asked in a choked voice.

“I was. At one time I was. But before that I was a Guardian as well, and so I am now.” He replied in a calm tone.

“How so? Do they not hate your kind?” Nixx asked in a less simple manner.

“Our kind? You forget the very story I just told. There is no kind to speak of. The Draquus and Guardians are one and the same. The only difference is in our appearance, or at least it was, over time I’m afraid that most of the Draquus have lost themselves, those you see here on this island and abroad are but broken effigies of what they once were.” He replied.

“So why are you not like them? Did you find a cure? How did you get caught? Didn’t you fight till the end?” Nixx pressed on.

“Yes I did, I fought harder than I’ve ever fought before, and I did so to save my family I still do so to ensure their safety. I was captured while covering their escape, I was forced into the ranks of the Draquus, I did not go willingly, nor did I welcome my transformation in the slightest, which I believe is what saved me from becoming like the rest. You see as I watched during my time in their ranks I noticed all those who went willingly or gave permission of the change became monsters, as if something in their minds were changed as they were. I fought it; I fought it so much that I blacked out from the effort. When I awoke I was like this and have so remained, for the most part.” He replied.

“For the most part? What do you mean?” Pip asked.

“Well, like all the rest we were changed, I still, and probably forever will remain as I look save for the simpler things. My coat will remain this color, as will my mane and tail, the wings will remain as well which I must admit I don’t mind anymore, they’re as much a part as me as my horn. Which is another matter; as like all the other ponies who became like me our magic, like I said, was stripped from us.” He said in a more pained tone.

“But you just teleported down here and the levitation spell, if you had it stripped from you?” Nixx asked in a curious tone.
“Very observant of you, very true, I lost my magic. But I also discovered, after a time, that it can be relearned, slowly yes, but it’s possible and so I have been learning once more. I’ve regained most of my abilities but the teleportation and some others are still either difficult or beyond me. I had to learn slowly once more as I did when I was a foal.” He replied.

Quix stepped back a bit and looked around, “Do you...I mean...like them...” He paused looking again around the room before he looked back to the Draquus and finished his question in a strangled tone, “Do you....eat meat?”

The Draquus laughed heartily at this and looked down on them, Pip was quick to notice his eyes were not silted like the others he’d described but like theirs. “No, No I do not, well not always, sometimes I must but only on rare occasions to which I do my best to be discreet about I assure you. That at least is one thing I’m happy is returning to normal, the fangs are slowly going away as well but they have their uses, in combat at least.” The Draquus replied in good humor.

Pip had just two questions for the strange pony, “Why is your armor different than the others? And what do we call you?” he asked, stepping out from behind the much subdued Radko.

“Well, As for my armor, I never did like the heavy armor my brethren wear, it does not fit me well and I’m clumsy in it. As for the different decoration, I assume that is what you mean; it is a mark of my station. I’m a story teller, a history keeper, a writer, a reader. More simply put, I am the Librarian of our organization. Engraved upon my armor is the entire tale of how our empire fell. It took some time for the others to make it but they did so with great diligence before they presented it to me upon my return. For they did welcome me back after they were sure I was myself once more, for the most part.” He said. It was then Pip noticed his cutie mark, a book and quill, fitting he thought. The pony moved on to the last question. “I don’t know your names yet either my new acquaintances. If I am to trust you to give my name I must first know yours, as is our custom.” He said.

Pip mulled it over for a moment, he didn’t believe there was anything to fear from this particular Draquus, pony he corrected himself, “This before me is Radko, the surgeon who gave you the drink is Quix, short for Quickfix, and the other is Nixx, my technician. And I am Captain Pip of the Bonnie Lass.” He replied.

The pony repeated the names a few times before he spoke, “You, Radko, Hooviet Union if I’m correct, You, Quickfix is it, and Nixx, Pip, your all Equestrian, am I wrong?” He replied looking from one to another.

“Yes, yes indeed you are correct on all counts, very observant of you.” Nixx replied in simple interest.

“Ok, then my name, I am Quillweave, you can call me Quill if you wish.” He replied.

“Quillweave,” Pip replied, “Quill. Ok. What do we do from here then?” Pip asked to nopony in particular.

“Now? Now we plan, well we plan both on how to take back this island, and help you and your kin back to your ship to continue on your journey, whatever that may be.” Quill replied.

With that they all left the room together. Led by their guide to a far off room full of the armored stallions and others of the local ponies all gathered and discussing many things, plans, actions, and information. The fight for the island would begin soon and Pip and his crew were now a part of it. But if that meant getting back to his ship and his mare then so be it.

Uprising

They galloped through the tunnels quickly; their plan had been enacted as night fell. The island militia had decided to retake the island this night and their plans would help them achieve it. There were three groups responsible for three objectives that kept the island in control under Draquus Command.

Pip had volunteered himself and his crew to help with the fight. He was partnered with a group of ponies from the island, along with three Guardians, Quillweave being one of them. Radko and Quix had gone with a larger group that was responsible for taking back the port, much to Radko’s disproval. He’d been less than thrilled to hear that Pip had volunteered to work alongside the Draquus, whom he made no point to hide his mistrust. Pip understood his reserves, but he figured that if the Draquus meant him harm he’d have done so long before now.

They continued through the twisting tunnels for some time before their leader held up and slowed considerably, forcing the rest of them to slow down to a walk. Silence ensued as they moved, nopony dared make a noise louder than a breath. The tunnel rose gently upward as they moved on, eventually they made it to a spot where the tunnel seemed to end, it was here they stopped and many of them began checking their gear and tightening their belts. “This is it, were at the door, since its dark out so we will be ok for the most part, as long as we don’t come out of here in the middle of a Draquus patrol. Gear up. Captain Pip, Quillweave, are you both ready?” Asked the pony.

Quillweave and Pip looked over their odd equipment, Quill replied in confidence, “Yes.” Pip eyed the bandoliers he wore. Each one contained three little ceramic orbs, painted black with a thin braided fuse. Nixx had worked through the day creating the few they had. He’d filled each one with different powders. Nixx had been sure to explain to them that they were to be planted at various places inside and around the outpost, such as barracks, or supply tents. What exactly they did though Pip was unsure. “Yes, let’s go.” He replied.

With that the lead pony stepped up to the slanted wall and carefully pushed against it, there was a slight breeze as the air from outside spilled in, the scent of salt and campfires mixed in the air around them. Pip looked forward to see a doorway now stood open leading into the dark night. There was a quiet whistle and with it the Guardian ponies walked out slowly and vanished into the night. Soon after there was another shrill, chirping whistle; this time they all filed out quickly and as quietly as they could manage. Pip was at a loss as where to go so he followed the others as best he could, working their way to the staging area.

They soon reached an overgrown hill where they ducked behind boulders, trees, and the tall native grass. Below them they could see the Draquus outpost, torches lighting the night in flickering orange light. It sprawled out in a misshapen setup, guard towers irregularly spaced along the borders separated sometimes by large empty spaces. What little Pip knew of land based tactics, and it truly was small, told him enough to know that this mashed defense was halfway put together by their view, messy and inefficient. They camp was exposed in many areas, straight to the center. At least it would make their mission that much easier to achieve.

He knew his job; he could see it from here. Along with Quillweave he was to infiltrate the outpost, plant the bandoliers in key positions they had marked out to him before they moved out. One was an armory where the camps gunpowder was kept; the other was either a barracks or a mess hall. Quillweave had his own targets as well, a large storage building; the other was the Draquus command tent. This target he had volunteered for. Pip knew stealth was key here, the others would remain behind, far enough as to not blow their cover, but still close enough that if trouble arose they would be able to assist. Even with that though Pip knew in his gut that if trouble arose they’d be hard pressed to get to them in time, silence was key for certain.

“Are you ready?” Came a whisper that drew Pip from his lookout. He looked around for its source but could not see who had said it. There was a shuffle near the brush to his left, it was then he spotted the owner of the voice, but only just so. It was a pony with a muted brown coat and tightly braided mane by what Pip could make out by close study. The pony was hard to recognize visually on account of his attire, for he was covered from head to hoof in some kind of concealing mesh that hung loosely about his frame and was woven together out of what looked like the very grass he stood near.

Pip replied without much pasue, “Yes.” The camouflaged pony immediately began moving down the hill towards the encampment, swiftly followed by Pip and Quillweave. They followed a dried creek bed down to the edge of the outpost where the brush grew dense and allowed them to remain hidden as they approached the camps outer wall.

It was a simple wall, mostly made of stacked timber and a scattering of barbed wire. Nothing more intricate than that had been used in its design. “Shall we go then?” he asked with a slight step forward.

“Wait!” Said the camouflaged pony in a sharp whisper and an outstretched fore hoof.

“What is it?” Pip asked in an alarmed tone.

In answer to this the pony kicked a fair sized stone into the open grass between them and the edge of the encampment. Pip was not sure of the purpose, if it even had one, that this served. He soon found out though. As he watched the rock sail through the sky and land, or should have landed, in the grass. Instead it vanished with a whisper of disturbed leaves. Pip looked closer. Where the stone should have hit ground it instead had fallen into a hole that had previously been covered up.

“Holes?” he said in a quiet question.

“Not just holes, Pits. Punji pits to be exact.” Said the pony.

“Punji pit? What exactly is that supposed to be?” Pip replied once again.

“It is a hole dug in the ground around a defending area. They are filled with spikes, usually poisoned. If the fall into one does not kill you then the poison will. It’s slow and painful.” Replied Quillweave in a hushed whisper.

“How do we get there then?” Pip questioned.

“Watch.” Said the pony and pointed to the edge of the encampment where a Draquus guard was patrolling the perimeter. As they watched he wove his way through the open field in a twisting path. Now that Pip looked he could see many more holes that were concealed with grass and leaves, obvious to a searching eye but nearly invisible to anypony who would walk into the field aimlessly.

As Pip watched the guard walk through the field he was suddenly anxious of the uncovered pit, he was certain it would notify the Draquus of their presence. Just as he had this though the creature, pony he corrected himself, once the pony reached the spot where the uncovered pit was located he watched as the Draquus leaned down and arranged the grass to cover the pit once more and then stand upright again, looking around cautiously. Pip stifled a sharp breath when the ponies gaze fell on him, its eyes were not round, no kindness showed in them, they were slit, like a dragon, or a lion, predatory. Pip was at once frightened and worried, both for his sake and the sake of his crew and the ponies on the island. He stared back; it was all he could do, stare back in horrified fascination. He was certain the pony knew he was there and was sure to raise alarm but he was gladly disappointed when the Draquus looked elsewhere and then walked on, again in his winding fashion, vanishing around the next turn of the walls. Pip sighed in relief and looked to the others who looked as relieved as he did.

“I hope you payed attention to his path.” Said the pony that had lead them there.

“I did.” Quillweave said in response when Pip didn’t answer.

“Good, because it’s now that you must go. The guard will pass again in just a few moments now go, and be careful.” Said the pony.

Quillweave moved quickly out of the brush, Pip stuttered a moment but was quick to follow. Quill moved with lithe grace, cautious of each deadfall and spot on the ground that hid the deadly pit traps. Pip followed as best he could, but even with that he was unaccustomed to moving with such agility on dry land, he could move freely and with as much grace as Quillweave did at sea, but land was different still for him, even with that though he managed to follow him through the large open field.

They made it to the other side and into the camp just as the patrolling guard passed into the field once more, headed the opposite direction. Pip and Quillweave were pressed close to the edge of the nearest timber pile crouched low to avoid being seen. The guard passed by without pause. Quill looked to Pip and then with a wink vanished into the night.

Pip was at first fairly surprised that the other pony just left him there, but then he remembered they had a time limit to achieve their goal. He took a deep breath and hurried off to his objectives.

Pip did his best to remain silent, but on the hard packed ground it was difficult. Thankfully the dark of the night did well to hide him, as long as he stayed in the shadows at least. The last part proved more difficult than he had expected, more than once he was forced to make quick nervous dashed across lit areas. Each time frayed his nerves; he knew if he was caught he’d be killed for sure.

Dodging the random patrols and odd Draquus was easy enough for him, they didn’t seem to think that anyone would dare sneak into their camp and so their observation was more relaxed than it should have been, but Pip was not one to complain. The sooner he got to his objectives, the sooner he could leave. He walked slowly between tents, some of which he could hear snoring, others silent. He paused and huddled close to the dark side of one as a Draquus passed by him, so close he could see the fangs that protruded from behind its upper lip, and the transparency of the bat like wings. It passed quickly and turned down another path, the wind of its passing smelled of meat, Pip swallowed a gag and the accompanying horror.

Edging out just enough to look both ways he made sure it was clear before sauntering quickly to the other side of the main path, immersing him once more in the world of tents and snores. Ahead and to the left he could see his first target, the mess hall. It looked markedly empty; he had expected to have more difficulty at this spot considering it was where they ate.

Pip looked to and fro, once positive it was clear he made his move, he crept around the tent, looking for a good place to drop the bandolier. He found it soon enough, he left it in a pile of boxes and unopened casks. With that he dashed to the closest set of tents and ducked low in the dark corners, taking pause long enough to slow his pounding heart. He took a steadying breath and then steeled his nerves for the final objective.

He worked his way past tents, piles of boxes and barrels, and past patrols as carefully as he could be with his nerves fraying a little more each moment he spent in the presence of the horrifying creatures. Normally things of evil or monsters of the night would not bother him, but the idea that these ones in particular had once been ponies like him for some reason terrified him more than usual. Just the thought that they would eat animals, even other ponies possibly, was enough to make him sick with fear. But Pip was accustomed to fear and it only motivated him more to do his mission right.

Up ahead he could see the fires of a forge, hear the clang of mallet on metal. Down the way from this was the storage area for their firearms. Pip tore his vision from the forge and worked his way to the storage building. It was large, probably able to store as much as the holds on his ship. Surely not all of it was gunpowder. There was a guard though, a big one, Pip was not intimidated by this though, and normally the big brutish ones were as simpleminded as they were strong. But he was not going to chance it, Quillweave was nearly as big as this one, but he was sharp as a tac. Pip thought of a way to get around the guard. Then he remembered the pony in camo, the trick he’d used to uncover the pits. Simple and easy, Pip kicked a rock and watched as it went clattering into an area of boxes to the guards other side.

It worked; the guard had heard it and went to inspect the noise, leaving Pip with an opening, and he took it. Inside the building was dark, nearly impossible to see at first, but ever so slowly Pips vision adapted to the darkness and he could see clearly enough. He found he was suddenly wishing it had not cleared as much as it did.

From the moment he was able to see he was mortified. He was right in assuming that the building was used for more than just powder storage, but he had not once stopped to imagine what else could be inside, he wished he had. From the rafters hung a grotesque assortment of animals, all limp and lifeless, some still covered in fur, others were sliced open, gutted, and some still dripping blood, fresh. Pip gagged repetitively, trying his hardest not to vomit. It was then he noticed the spot on the floor he stood upon was sticky, he looked down and was once again greeted with a grisly scene, the floor around the area was red with blood, mostly dry but still wet enough to be sticky and with each step it grew less sticky and more slick as he neared passing under the still bleeding animal bodies above.

Pip forced himself to move, stifling the bile that rose in his throat. He passed under the hanging bodies and into a cleaner area. Here he sat for a moment to catch his breath and force his stomach to settle as it churned and tried to force its way out. He could still smell the blood in the air but noticed it was mixing with another smell, a bit metallic and burnt. Gunpowder.

Pip forced himself to his feet once more and ambled through the dark into another room. This one was filled predominantly with large barrels marked with caution warnings. These had to be it, he was certain of it. He removed the final bandolier and set them behind the barrels. After that he moved quickly through the building, he found another door, a larger one, probably used for loading and unloading. He took that route and was outside quickly. There was no sign of any patrols about so he moved toward the rows of tents in front of him to make his escape.

Or so he had planned. Before he could though something heavy slammed into him, knocking him off his hooves, it was on him in a flash. He was pinned, the large figure holding him in place. Pip looked up, it was the guard. The large draquus grinned with a sharp toothed smile and a deep gravely laugh. Pip kicked hard at the creature’s armored chest to no avail. He knew he was in for it when the pony reared up to deliver the killing blow, so he braced himself. It never landed, another assailant slammed into the draquus with a muted thud. Pip blinked and saw it was another draquus, no, it was Quillweave.

Pip watched as Quillweave bowled into the other draquus with brute strength. Kicking and lunging every step of the way, virtually all the other pony cold do was try and dodge the blows as they came. This went on for some short time, it was a quiet struggle, one wanting stealth, the other wanting the glory of the kills to himself. It was a miracle nopony else heard the scuffle as it continued.

Pip watched as they kicked and rushed each other, neither giving nor gaining ground. Then to his astonishment Quillweave did something wholly unexpected. With the makings of a kick the other draquus went to move, when he did so Quillweave dropped the kick and lunged forward instead, whipping his head up under the others chin.

There was a thump as they made contact, and there they froze, in a strange stance, face to neck. Pip wondered if they had both just stopped from exhaustion at first, then in the sudden silence that followed he could hear strained breathing from one of them. Pip looked closer and noticed the other draquus was wide eyed, nostrils flaring, and he could hear the sound of its breathing becoming heavier, more labored. He looked down to where Quillweave still held his head just below the ponies chin, it was then he noticed the blood, trickling down its neck in a red stream.

There was a quick frenzy of movement from the other draquus, it bucked weakly, then gave a kick that landed with a soft thud on Quillweaves armor. It continued to struggle but somehow Quillweave was able to keep it still. Suddenly there was a sickeningly audible crunch, followed by a strangled whiney of pain that gargled out of the draquus’ mouth with a stream of fresh blood. Its legs shook and its eye’s rolled back in its head as it collapsed to the ground, it was not breathing, dead; Pip realized.

Quillweave did not move his head as the pony fell but instead began to move so the body drug with him. It was at that moment Pip realized he was not simply holding his head there but instead had a firm grip around the pony’s throat, fangs buried deep in its neck. Quillweave drug the body behind the building and as Pip watched, opened his jaws a little at first then more as his fangs slid out from the draquus’s jugular with a dribble of blood oozing out in globs behind them, Quillweaves muzzle was covered in blood, Pip watched in disgust as he licked his lips clean and rubbed a forehoof over the parts he missed to wipe away the worst of it, he then proceeded to spit on the ground repetitively to expel the blood from his mouth.

“I hate doing so.” He said in a weak voice, spitting again as he walked back to Pip. “We need to leave now, quickly.”

“Yes, Yes. Let us leave this place at once.” Pip replied in an equally disturbed voice.

They went together through the tent city that made up the camp, once again dodging guards and patrols maneuvering through sleeping draquus, and hiding in what darkness they could find. They reached the walls in good time, with no alerts raised, things were good. Pip had not expected to make it as far as they had, luck was on their side. Pip and Quill looked to and fro across the open expanse of grass, judging their path through the punji traps. There was a whisper of movement from across the way, a stone plopped into the grassy area quickly swallowed by a pit. Pip couldn’t help but give a slight smirk, the ponies timing was impeccable.

They waited patiently as the guard patrolling the area passed them by; again, nonchalantly covering the trap, before disappearing around the next turn allowing them to make their move. Quill went first, quickly picking his way through the traps, marking the safe trail for Pip, who followed close behind. They moved carefully until they were close to the far side. Quill passed the last of the traps; Pip hot on his tail, Quillweave suddenly stumbled and started moving to the side in an odd falling fashion. Pip saw the trap open up as the cover fell in, without thinking he body checked the draquus as hard as he could, closing his eyes as he went. They crashed into the brush in a heap. Pip looked around; Quillweave was there, as was the camouflaged pony that was squished beneath him. Quill looked to Pip with a nod of thanks and quickly picked himself up off their guide.

“We need to go, quickly. Our time to rendezvous with the other group is approaching quickly.” Said the pony in a hushed whisper.

“Very well, lead the way.” Quillweave said.

They moved off in a quiet hurry. The camp below was oblivious to their presence as they crested the hill and met up with the others. Once they had arrived the rest of their group grabbed their things and followed the ranger pony quickly. It was full night, by then. They had timed their actions very well and were only but a few moments off of their scheduled time. They followed no noticeable trail as they went across the countryside, their guide seemingly picking a path on whim. More than once they were required to duck behind trees and cover as draquus patrols passed on high.

Pip could soon smell the sea on the air, more so he could smell the scent of fish, a nauseating smell, not like at sea, but more like what one smelled when working close with seafaring creatures of the meat eating variety, and he’d had plenty of proof of that to know what could be expected in the port they were to take in the wee hours of the morning. He pushed the thought from his mind, focus was important.

They met up with the second group as they came upon a wooded ridge overlooking the Port. There were a large number of the Guardian ponies waiting for them; Pip had been unaware as to just how many of them were around. They all waited patiently, standing just behind the trees that hid them as they viewed the port below. Pip walked to the closest tree he dared to for fear of being seen. Looking out over the port made him realize why the other ponies had insisted on a diversion, the port was crowded with draquus, they moved to and fro as they went about their nightly routines about the docks. How so many of them could work effectively Pip didn’t know, but he did see that without a diversion they would be trotting into certain doom.

“Were ready.” He heard behind him. Pip turned and could see the leader of the local ponies speaking with Nixx. His technician nodded his head and Pip noticed right away as he began working some spell he’d not seen the tech perform. It was quick, but it produced a sparkling light, like the fuse on a firework. The flame hovered above the technician for a moment before splitting into a group of the fizzling sparking lights. They all hovered for a moment before vanishing with a snap, whizzing away in the direction they had just come. Pip looked at the tech with a questioning look, the technician only smiled back in a wry, mischievous look.

Almost as soon as the sparks vanished the Guardians began to muster, loading weapons, tightening armor, and bowing to one another in some practice Pip failed to understand. Quillweave was a part of it as well, regardless of his appearance. His brethren seemed to be oblivious to his different look, just as he had claimed. The other ponies, the locals, also prepared their things, mostly checking over one another’s gear in brotherly fashions or just talking in low voices to one another. They grouped into two groups, one on the left of the ridge and one to the right, where the slope of the hill ran smooth and formed a natural incline downhill on either side.

Quillweave trotted over to Pips group where they had remained as the others prepared.

“Left or right, Captain Pip, your crew follows you; I would do so myself but I must lead my brethren myself.” Said Quill, as he lowered a helmet over his head, it matched the rest of his armor, every surface scrawled with writing.

Pip looked to either side; both were identical and no doubt had the same roles. Either way it was no different. “What does it matter? Are they not the same?” He asked.

“The same? Why ever would you think that? There is always a difference. Some simple, some complex, like if you choose right, you’re not on the left, so therefore it’s different! The outcome will change, but how, is only known by action.” Said the draquus.

Pip didn’t really understand the ponies track of thought but he chose anyway, “Right, we will go right.”

“Good, Good. I’m sure the right side will do just fine, but so too will the left side, I’m certain.” Quill said cryptically, followed by a chuckle.

The laugh was what keyed Pip into the simple fact that the draquus was just playing mind games with him to lighten the mood. He laughed back in good humor.

“May the winds of battle guide you to safety friend.” He said and turned to join his clan.

Pip shot a quick question back before the draquus was out of earshot, “What is the writing on your helmet?”

“So you noticed,” he said, turning back, “this is another story from the land that we come from. One close to my heart and so, close to my mind. The words protect me, another gift, but not from my order. Perhaps if we survive the night I will tell it to you, but for now, we must make ready. I’d imagine our time of action draws near.” He turned away and trotted to join the rest of the Guardians, taking a place near their front.

As if on cue, there was a sudden series of booms; Pip looked out past the wooded grove they stood in, back the way they had come. There were flashes of light, loud thumps as the sound of small explosions reached them from afar. A dull glow rose in the distance. For a moment Pip wondered what it was, and then there was a massive fireball that lit the night sky for miles around in an angry red and orange glow, followed by an ear shattering explosion that broke dead sticks from the trees above, and shook the ground below their hooves.

Pip turned back to look down upon the port below. The draquus had stopped their business and now all looked skyward. After a split second of stillness many of them began taking wing. So many took flight that it looked as though a black cloud floated above the port, then as a flock of birds does during migration they headed off towards the outpost, flying directly over their position, casting flickering shadows upon the ground around them as they passed above.

The cloud of draquus passed rapidly, still they waited, until Pip could no longer make out the dark forms of the draquus overhead. They waited for some time after. Everypony was still as stone, a group of statues standing ready. Then out of the motionless silence one of the locals stepped forward into the open and produced a horn that he promptly blew into with all the wind in his lungs. The deep baritone note echoed down the hill in one long, unbroken bugle. This was followed by a many voiced shout from all the ponies around them, save for the guardians who remained still.

As the many voiced call reached its crescendo the two sides began their charge down the slope towards the port, and the remaining draquus. Pip and his band followed, crystal clear on what was expected of them. It was not a blind, confused charge, but one built on savage adrenaline and anger. Pip was flanked on either side by Radko and Nixx who were bent on making sure their captain was safe, Quix was just behind them, both he and Nixx held their crossbows close with magic.

The drumming of their hooves drowned out the calls of the draquus below, there were a lot of them, but most had left to investigate the blaze that towered into the sky behind their charging line. The draquus formed up as well, some taking to the sky with long lances, others remaining on the ground, a solid wall of seething opposition.

As they drew closer, Pip could see the heavily armored creatures smiling in vicious anticipation. They towered above all but a couple of the ponies in their own line. The draquus had the distinct advantage of size and brute strength on their side, there was no doubt about that, Pip noticed their line beginning to slow, ever so slightly as they drew near the draquus line. They held their momentum though, none would give, but they continued to slow, they knew crashing headlong into the line of creatures would cost them; they didn’t know what to do now but continue to charge.

They didn’t have to think for long though; there was a vibration in the air, slight at first but quickly growing into a powerful magical field in front of them. Then out of the wall of flickering magic came the Guardians, charging ahead of their line, giants in their own right, each one in front had large lances of their own pointed forward, the noise of their armored hooves striking the ground drown out even that of the larger group behind them, it sounded as though a thunderstorm rose from below.

The effect was immediate. The draquus line faltered almost instantly, but it was too late for them to turn. The Guardians crashed down on them like a tidal wave of steel. Pip watched as the Guardians slammed into the ranks of the draquus with brutal precision. Each lance finding its mark, the effects were gruesome.

The crunching of bones, splitting screams of pain and the crash of metal meeting metal tore through the air. Pip watched as one Guardians lance punched through the chest plate of its target, driving deep into the ponies’ chest cavity, and punching out through the bottom of its rear left leg. The Guardian let go of his magical hold on the lance instantly even as it continued its charge. Others did the same as they tore through the draquus line with impunity. The second line of ponies could do nothing more than leap over the shattered bodies as they drew closer to the slowing line of Guardians.

The armored ponies were wreaking havoc on the draquus. Those that were not engaged in hoof to hoof combat had taken up their powerful crossbows and were dropping the airborne ones from the sky around them with deadly precision; a rain of pin cushioned bodies fell from the sky. The Guardians had stopped their charge, now wading into the mass of bodies that was the draquus line. They kicked with practiced aim, each blow landing with massive force. Pip watched as one of the Guardians brought a fore hoof down and connected with the draquus he fought. Its horn shattered under the impact, the blow flattened the draquus to the ground, and its head no longer resembled a healthy round shape. Some of the guardians had drawn their swords; they swung in great arcs, and thrust with pin point perfection. Their magic affording them a longer distance of attack than the magic inept draquus could manage. The large swords crushed any unlucky enough to get in range. As much as they smashed those they hit, they also cut, often severing the limb they made contact with.

Countless bodies littered the ground, and even the rooftops as the guardians performed their deadly dance about the port. What draquus that were remaining were ill prepared to fend off such a violent assault and they fell in the dozens. Blood grew thick upon the port grounds, if one were not careful of ones hooving they could easily fall. Their coats were flecked with blood as it rained from the sky, more draquus above succumbing to the practiced accuracy of the Guardians below.

The second line of ponies, his line, had made contact in all the butchery. The locals proved to be quite able to hold their own against the few draquus who escaped the onslaught of the Guardians. They worked in teams, or pairs, never one on one Pip noticed. A good decision as one draquus stood almost half a shoulder above any of them, or more.

Radko suddenly made impact with Pip, shoving him to the side as a lance fell from above and drove into the ground where he had been standing. A draquus swooped down from above and landed heavily behind Radko, sword drawn and ready; a mistake from the start.

Radko bucked his back legs into the assailant’s chest with all his might. There was an audible crunch of breaking ribs. The draquus dropped to his knees, Pip looked over and saw to large puncture wounds in its side that were gushing blood with every heartbeat. The creature wavered and fell to its side with a crash, there it stayed, blood pumping out in spurts till it slowed and stopped. Pip was at once thankful that the weapons Radko wore on his legs were theirs and not the enemies...

The fighting had spread all across the port by the looks of it. The draquus were suffering heavy casualties. Their attempts to regroup were thwarted time and again by the Guardians, many of which now had taken up support roles, leading the local ponies in combat, they were taking the port quickly, soon the draquus were being pushed back, out of the port.

The first rays of morning light were beaming over the land when sails were spotted coming around to the mouth of the bay. Pip looked to it, the morning sun made it hard to see against the brightness. Regardless, Pip knew it was the Bonnie Lass, he would know it anywhere.

The ship sailed straight into port, guns blazing; the crew on board did their captain proud. Almost every shot fired was a direct hit on a draquus vessel roped in the harbor. The thundering of cannons was loud; the first round of fire brought the combatants to a standstill, the locals, Guardians, and Draquus alike. Once they saw the first volley make contact with a draquus ship the remaining draquus began to fight harder. They ran to their ships, to try and save what they could, to escape. They fought fiercely, but they were losing quickly, the port would be taken from them soon enough.

Quillweave was suddenly at his side, “Quickly! You must be away from here, the others are coming back from the diversion, we can’t guarantee your survival, nor the survival of your ship and crew. Already they are in sight, they close rapidly. You must leave now! I will lead you the way, quickly now!” He shouted at them and set off toward the end of the port where Pip could make out a longboat rowing toward the shore covered by heavy fire from the deck of the Bonnie Lass.

Pip and the others raced after Quillweave. They dodged through fighting and collapsing masts, fire and gunshot. Pip looked back the way they had come, the fighting had stopped, the draquus defeated, but in the distance a great cloud of darkness approached the dock. The large force that had left to investigate the explosions was returning; Pip knew at once they outnumbered the locals and the guardians. The coming fight would crush them.

They made it to the longboat where they were greeted by more of his crewmembers, happy to see him but eager to get back aboard the Bonnie Lass. Pip looked back again to the approaching cloud of Draquus. He then looked to Quillweave who was watching as well.

“This whole thing, you knew they would not be able to take the port, what was the purpose of this whole plan? You will all surely perish, why go to this trouble?” He asked even as he was ushered into the waiting longboat.

The Draquus, the Pony, responded without turning. “The island was lost long ago, those remaining have etched out a living here, they survive as best they can under the reign of these monsters. Not in peace of course but in secret, in hopes that one day help would come. And so it did, with you. When we discovered you hail from Equestria we knew it was time to act. Everything up to now was done so that you could get word back to your nation, to the Princesses; to both plead for help on our behalf, on their behalf, and to warn your own kingdom of the coming darkness. Now go, we will cover your escape, fear not for us, we will meet again, Go, now go!”

Pip wanted to say more but got no chance as the Draquus galloped forward and snapped open his wings, leaping into the air and soaring off to join the defending locals and his brethren.

They made it to the Bonnie Lass and were hauled unceremoniously aboard. Pip ran to the helm and looked out to the port as the wind caught their sails and pushed them out of the bay. He could see everything. The cloud of creatures was descending upon the port defenders in mass, all from on high. As they exited the mouth of the bay into open waters he could see the defenders fleeing deeper into the buildings around the port as they were forced back. It was then he noticed the draquus flying out over the bay, they were coming for the Bonnie Lass. They would not make it. There was not enough wind.

Suddenly there was a flash of light from the center of the defending line, Pip ran to the spotting scopes and with no great manners shoved the watch pony aside and looked through himself to see its source. The entire band of guardians was smack in the middle of the writhing mass of Draquus, they held firm, the stories he’d been told holding true to their prowess. But the numbers were pressing in on them.

Still they fought.

Another flash, this time brighter and followed by a pulse that made the air around the port ripple with magic.

Pip looked up, a swarm of draquus was getting nearer to the mouth of the bay they had just exited, and they would be on them in no time.

Yet another flash tore through the sky, the air in front of the pursuing draquus rippled with magic powerful enough that it distorted their pursuer’s bodies like one might see when looking on hot stone in the summer.

Another bright flash enveloped the sky, Pip looked through the scope; the Guardians had stopped fighting as the draquus around them shielded their eyes.

A final flash seared the sky and air all around the port. So bright it cast shadows across the deck of the Bonnie Lass, the radiant light temporarily blinding them all before it vanished with a clap of thunder.

Once his vision cleared Pip looked out across the water to the port and the Guardians, a rippling blue sphere surrounded the entire bay, he could see the broken bodies of the pursuing draquus plummeting to the water below on the other side of the bubble. The Guardians had continued their fight now, there was no sign of the local ponies anywhere in the port, Pip feared the worst. They sailed away quickly as the wind picked them up in its powerful grip; the last thing he could make out in the brawl he watched through the scope was the Guardians in a tight circle, fighting in all angles. In the center stood Quillweave, watching from afar as Pip and his crew sailed away.

Pip pulled back from the scope and looked with his own eyes on the scene behind them. There was a massive magical barrier surrounding the port, it must have been what stopped their pursuers. Its surface was engraved with darker images of twisting vines and leaves. It was all at once a work of art and a formidable defense, truly powerful magic.

Pip turned away from the scene as a shout for his attention came from the forward spotter.

“Captain! Sails!” yelled the spotter.

Pip trotted to the scope and looked through it. Out in the distance he could just make out sails of black. Many sails, large and daunting, the vessel was massive, but it was fleeing. It matched every description he’d been given. He immediately gave orders to set course to follow. He knew this was the ship responsible for destroying Jibland, he was determined more than ever to get to the bottom of this threat.

He trotted back to the helm where Dinky stood at the wheel. He looked to her, it had been nearly a week since he’d last seen her he realized, happiness and fear shot through his mind at once, the trials ahead he feared for her safety, but he was happy to know she was with him. Fatigue gripped him and his eyes grew heavy. Dinky smiled at him and said in a whisper, “Go, Sleep, I will watch the ship.”

Pip nuzzled her warmly, inhaling softly, holding the smell of her in his nose for a moment before he retired to his quarters. He fell into the bed gratefully, his eyes drooping quickly as sleep overtook him. He rolled into a more comfortable position before he lost the ability to. He looked around him as a crowd of bubbles floated in through the window and danced about his head, lulling him into much needed sleep.

Pursuit

Pursuit

Pip was awoken by the gentle rocking of the ship, and the warm breeze that blew in through the open window. He lay motionless in the bed for a moment, just staring at the ceiling, listening to the quietness around him. There was movement to his left, it was Dinky. He continued his ponderous inspection of the roof above, images of the previous night dancing in his vision. He wondered what had become of Quillweave and the Guardians, not to mention the locals.

These thoughts sailed through the channels of his imagination. He was glad to be back at sea though. Its familiar smells, tastes, movement, even the knowledge of its perils. It all worked in unison to calm his battered thoughts. He continued to quietly contemplate what the next part of their voyage would bring. He was startled from his thoughtful stupor by a gentle, warm nuzzle upon his neck followed by a foreleg draped across his middle. He looked over to where Dinky now faced him, her face partially obscured by her pillow so all he could see was one side, a single golden eye looked back at him, an infectiously warm smile greeting him.

His worries washed away at the sight, he leaned over and kissed her gently. She nuzzled closer as she asked, “What’s the matter?”

Pip wanted to tell her nothing, that he was fine, but he’d learned long ago that it would not work on her. She had proven time and again that she possessed an uncanny ability to read him like an open book. It was rare he could manage to hide any of his feelings from her, and when he was able to it didn’t last long.

“I can’t help but wonder what were sailing into. Since we left Jibland things have only grown more complicated, I fear we are out of our element here. I wonder what it is that drives our quarry to such extremes. I can’t help but worry about the safety of our ship and crew, I fear for all our safety.” He admitted quietly.

Dinky looked at him with softness, “You are right to fear.” She said, this shocked Pip a bit, “But,” she continued, “You fear the wrong things. Our ship and crew are strong. We’ve handled ourselves with care and discipline throughout the years, we can hold our own better than many. We’ve all seen a great many things, some kind, many more horrifying. Battles have come and gone and we’ve done our bids when called upon. This is no different, trust in us as much as we trust in you and we’ll all do fine. What you should fear instead is what will become of home if we don’t do something, or our friends safety if we stop now, before we put a stop to this.” She finished calmly.

Pip would never understand how she seemed to know exactly what to say to calm his nerves, it always worked though. He lay there for a quiet moment letting her words echo in his mind. Dinky again pulled him out of his daze, scooting close to him and laying her head upon his chest. She looked at him warmly and asked, “What happened on that island? Who were those other ponies?”

Pip was at first reluctant to talk about it, but she needed to know. He never hid things from her before, he was not about to start now. He took a moment to collect his thoughts before he dove into the story of his adventures on the island.

As he told his mare of the different sides that fought for control of the island and the things he learned of the lost empire where the Guardians and Draquus came from he noticed, like many other times he’d told her of his exploits, that she never once took her eyes off him. She listened in silent fascination through each part, only interrupting him once or twice to ask a question before letting him continue.

Each time he got to a part where he had been in danger he could feel a squeeze around his middle, a sharp intake of breath, as if he might vanish from existence as she woke from a dream. Pip continued onward, Dinky as attentive as a young filly during the stories told on nightmare night. He told her of how the attack began on the port had began, of the Guardians seemingly appearing from thin air to crush the line of Draquus. Pip then doubled back and told her about Quillweave, the Guardian who had once been a member of the very enemy he fought. She was very interested by the story behind the strange pony. He finished his story with the view he’d had as they sailed out of the port, of the final stand of the Guardians of which he admitted he knew not of what had become of them.

Pip lay there quietly once more after he finished his story. He looked down to where Dinky still remained, her head resting on his chest. She was looking right back at him, quiet and content. After a moment she asked in a hushed tone, “Do you think they are still alive?”

It was as if she had read the thoughts directly on his mind, it took him off guard a bit. He didn’t think she’d be concerned about the outcome of the ponies on the island, not because she wouldn’t care, but because she’d had not been there, they were strangers to her after all. He just looked at her, not really knowing how to answer, “Why do you ask?” He replied.

“Well I was hoping to someday thank them for bringing you back to us safely. And for doing what they did to help us all make it out of there.” She replied simply.

“We can only wait and hope they yet live.” Pip replied quietly.

Dinky lifted his hat from the table with magic and set it upon his head, “And until we find out we must continue our pursuit of those who threaten our home. What say you my captain?” She said with a flirtatious smile.

“So we will.” Pip replied, wrapping her in a warm embrace.

The sun was warm, the sea calm, but there was not enough to allay their problem. In the night they had lost track of their quarry. Pip knew it could not be by any mistake of his crew. Something else drove the other ship on quicker pace than any other he’d encountered. Their pursuit was lost, but he was determined that they would find it again, one way or another.

As if on cue with his thoughts there was a call from the spotter up front. “Sails!”

At once Pip quickly made his way to the scope. He wanted to see this ship before it vanished again. Glaring through the scope it took him but a moment to spot the ship in question. His momentary motivation at spotting their quarry was quickly replaced with curious wonder. It was not their target, not the ship they were chasing but rather one of their own, a vessel flying the flag of Equestria. He was at least happy word he carried of their recent endeavor would travel back home quickly.

“Radko,” Pip requested, “please fly the banner.”

At once Pip could hear the ropes and bustle as the banner of the Royal Navy was posted. Pip watched carefully for the acknowledgement from the other vessel. It came, their own flag rising into the air to recognize their approach.

They continued towards the vessel, preparing to meet with the crew, as was custom. Soon they were side by side, the sailors quickly lashing the ships loosely together and lowering planks one may trot across.

Pip was at once requested to the Captains quarters. It was warm, the lighting was sparse but not dark, and a warm breeze blew in through an open window. In front of him sat the Captain of the vessel. His host sat before him, he was a grayed stallion, old and wise, his coat was carefully groomed, the dark tan color broken only by streaks of sun bleached hair. The Sailor pony had a short cropped mane, military cut, and a short docked tail. Everything about him was professional military bearing. Pip was sure to be respectful.

The Captain invited Pip to have a seat, which he took promptly.

“You must be Master Pip of the Bonnie Lass.” He said.

“Yes, the very same, your well informed.” Pip replied.

Well one does not serve in the Equestrian Navy for as long as I have without being familiar with the different ships and their respective captains.” He replied with good humor.

This was true, Pip knew most of the ship Captains by name at least, even if he’d never met them personally. Yet something made him question the Captains answer. It was simple, but enough for him to doubt, and so he asked, “If you have been in service for so long why is it I’ve never heard of you nor encountered your vessel myself?”

“Quick and intuitive. I can see why you and your crew are so well known in the various ports about Equestria. But to answer your question, it is a simple thing. As you no doubt know my vessel at least you must know that first and foremost it is a scout ship, we don’t sail with the main body of the navy unless requested to do so. We deal more in the long range deployment. Our duty is to seek out threats that patrol our borders at sea. Often times we are the ones who intercept other nation’s vessels if they sail into our waters without permission or, more rarely, as an act of violence. We also assist our neighboring sister nations with matters of security as well, again, when requested. As this all stands we are rarely in port for long, less than a night most times and we are hard pressed to sail into any one port more than once or twice every year, we make use of any port around that is friendly to the crown.” Replied the Captain.

“I see, and by we I assume there are other ships like yours?” Pip asked.

“Yes, you see, ships like mine while a bit bigger than yours, carry no more armament, I dare say less so even than yours. Our strategy in a fight, if it comes to that, is to out maneuver the other vessel, but with that said, we tend to travel in pairs, safety in numbers and all.” He replied.

“I saw no other vessels on our approach, are you alone this time?” Pip questioned closer.

“And now we get to the thick of my story. I imagine your chasing something, likely the very same thing that passed us just this previous night. I know this simply because of your reputation and your heading, which may I say is still spot on to your quarry. I know this because we are after the same thing, last night we spotted a vessel, my sister ship and I. It is massive, black as can be, sails and all. And so we made to follow, early in the morning we lost sight of it, but not because it outran us, rather because of a decision I am beginning to regret. You noticed the lack of sails upon my vessel did you not?” he said.

Pip had admittedly not noticed, he looked out the doorway quickly and down to the front of the vessel, no masts blocked his vision. Steam ship he realized.

“I can see on your face you know what I speak of. Yes, my ship is steam powered. A great thing, or so I had believed when I decided to take them on, they’ve proven all but perfect since. They are the very reason I remain here, dead in the water so to speak, we are not stranded, but repairs take time, so we wait. And as for my sister ship, they elected to continue the chase as they are still under sail, I must admit her captain made a better choice to stick to sail, mainly at least, his ship is outfitted with a smaller version of my ships engine, more of an accent to the sails than the whole propulsion system. Much more efficient if you ask me.” He replied with just a touch of self loathing.

“I see. Do you need anything? We may not have any of what you need to repair your engine, as we are sail only, but we can help with most anything else if you need.” Pip replied.

“Very respectful of you friend, but were well in supply on both parts, our sister ship saw to that before heading out. We will be operational again within a day or so, after that we, to my chagrin, will be returning to port to undergo more detailed repairs.” The captain said.

“Well, then in that case there is something you can do for my crew and I.” Pip requested.

“Very well, I imagine I can help you out, but in return I want you to send word to my sister ship of our return to port when you catch up to her, as I imagine you will. Now, what is it I can do for you, Captain Pip.” He replied.

“The same. Information. We’ve been following this ship since we left a port south of here. That port, its part of a community, Gallopfry. They’re a peaceable people, but the ones were after have taken control of their island. They’re using it as a launch port for their attacks on the coast of Equestria, and possibly Cervidas I would imagine. We were there for awhile, a group known as the Guardians were there combating an enemy they know simply as Draquus, whether or not that is what they call themselves as a whole I don’t know, but I know that they are a force to be reckoned with they are who we are in pursuit of now. Our escape was only possible by the efforts of the local Islanders and the Guardians, all in hope that we would get word to the crown. The last we saw of them as we sailed out of port was their lines being overrun. I don’t know what happened after that. But I promised to send word for help.” Pip replied in length.

The ship Captain stared at him for a moment, obviously gauging what he’d just told him. He stood and walked out on the deck, Pip followed him. The wind was picking up.

“Very well, I’ll send word, you should go though, every moment you are here is a moment our enemy gains distance. Don’t forget your word to me. Find the other ship and either help them or send them back my way, it’s up to you. You’re looking for a ship called the Horizon. Now go, time is short.

With that Pip and his crew cast off from their short meeting with the long range patrol vessel. He now noticed the ships name, The Charger. Seemed fitting he though. They pulled away quickly, the sea was a bit choppy but the wind was good and strong to their backs so they were making good time, no doubt they’d catch up with the Horizon in fair time.

Soon the Charger was far behind them as they made way through the sea. Pip stood at the helm next to Dinky as she steered the Bonnie Lass through the roughening waters. There was a voice from above Pips head, it was Stormwing, she hovered just above them, keeping pace with the ship like it was no task at all.

“What can I help you with Storm?” Pip asked.

To this she gave a strong push with her wings and landed abruptly upon the deck, a rare thing for her, as normally she would glide about the ship for most of the day, pausing only to eat or sleep. She only landed to address him in case of one thing. Weather.

“Captain, the wind is getting devilish out here, ahead the sea is getting harsh, I think we’re in for a gale. I can smell it in the air as much as see it. Best start preparing for a good one.” She said, before walking down to the deck, another rare sight as usually she’d have just flown off, if she had decided to walk and remain on deck things indeed were bound to get rough.

Pip at once set to giving commands to prepare for rough seas. The crew started in due time, then some of them, the ones who’d been with him for awhile, noticed Stormwing on board among them, they then started to work in double time, checking and rechecking everything they did. Soon the entire ship was a bustle with motion and action.

As they worked the seas indeed began getting rougher, the wind began to pick up more, they soon pulled the sails close to prevent them from being torn off by the strong winds. Big billowing black clouds started to roll in from their front, soon the rain started, a sprinkle at first, then a calm drizzle for a long while. By then they had secured the deck for storms and Pip had ordered all but what was necessary below decks to help with securing the storage and other loose material.

It proved to be a good call as soon enough the black clouds surrounded them, it grew darker, and the ever present wind was starting to howl. The waves churned and splashed against their hull as Dinky navigated through the rough waters. She was doing fine, but Pip knew before long she’d hand over control to Radko, who was used to sailing in rough seas and was their best at it.

Things would become very rough indeed before long, Pip knew. But they had to continue on. He went into his quarters where Nixx now stood over the charts. “Greetings Captain.” He said as Pip made his way to him.

“Hello, Nixx, where are we right now.” Pip asked the technician.

“Well were right around here, he said pointing with a pencil to an empty space of water between Gallopfry and the coastal town of Stableside. Soon they would be coming across the ruins of the Eternity Bridge, a thought that Pip, and many other sailors, disliked. The waters around the ruins were plagued with strange tales and stranger creatures.

Pip put those thoughts aside quickly; his attention was needed for the task at hand. He could worry about the things that lurked about the ruins later, after the storm.

Presently his attention was drawn away from the charts by a shout, one he’d not expected to hear so soon, as they’d only been back at sea for no more than four hours.

It was a call from the spotter next to the helm, he claimed to see sails ahead. Pip looked incredulously at Nixx, who returned the doubtful look back. Pip quickly worked his way to the helm. The spotter stepped aside as he approached to allow Pip a quick view through the scope. The pelting rain was coming down in sheets, the sea was rough, this made it a bit more difficult to get a bead on what the spotter had called on.

After a few moments though Pip also saw the sails ahead, it was no doubt the Horizon. Pip had doubted they would have caught up with them so quickly, but perhaps the storm had slowed them down as it had his ship as well. Either way it was good to find them so quickly. He could pass the word and be on his way quickly enough.

“I believe that’s our current target, the Horizon. She matches all descriptions. Let’s get to her then, I have word to pass on before we continue, and I’d like to get that chance before the sea gets to angry.” Pip said.

They were currently under storm sails, meaning less material present on the masts to catch wind, the ones up were small, just enough to keep them going and in control of the ship. Pip gave an order to bring up just a few more of their smaller sails to help speed up their rendezvous.

Soon they were under way. Moving at a fast pace and closing on the Horizon quickly. The storm had its own plans as well, as they drew closer peals of lightning and loud cracks of thunder began to flash and crash through the ever darkening clouds. The rain got heavier, but luckily enough the waves had yet to worsen. They drew upon the Horizon just as the wind was starting to pick up more.

“Captain....” Came the broken voice of their spotter.

“Yes? What is it?” Pip replied absently as he prepared himself to send word.

“Captain....” Came the voice again.

“What?” Said the spotter once more, to Pips annoyance.

“Out with it would you!” Pip sniped back as he turned to the spotter.

The pony stood there looking over the scope, his eyes were open wide as he looked ahead. Pip looked to the Horizon as well but could see nothing that would spark such a reaction.

“What is it?” He said as he gave the ponies shoulder a nudge.

“Again....Like the last one.” He said.

“What do you mean?” Pip said as he gently nudged the spotter aside so he could see through the scope.

What he saw made his stomach drop into his hooves. In that instant he knew exactly what the spotter meant.

“Dinky, give the helm to Radko if you would please. And I suggest you steel yourself, your about to see exactly what we found on that last ship.” Pip said calmly. Radko promptly, but kindly, took over for Dinky, who trotted over quickly to Pips side, standing close.

“Bring us close Master Radko.” Pip said above the thunder, wind, and rain.

They shifted quickly in their course, closing with the Horizon with rapid precision. Radko had grown up sailing the rough seas around the Hoviet Union, his skill at navigating harsh seas was unmatched, with him at the helm now it seemed as though the waters had calmed to that of a windy day.

That struck Pi as odd though. He’d been in rough seas with Radko at the helm many times before and while it did tend to calm it was not by this degree, nor so suddenly. He looked about quickly, the calmness was not provided by Radko he soon realized, but in fact much of the water around the area was strangely calm around them as they drew closer to the Horizon.

The thought and realization struck him as odd but he’d seen stranger things at sea and soon the strangeness left his mind. It was forced out by the gasps of the crew still on deck, and the strangled yelp from Dinky.

Now side to side with the horizon the scene played out much like the last ship they’d found in similar events. Just as frightful and gruesome.

On deck the scene played out like a recurring nightmare. The crew were again, all dead and gutted. But this time they were not hung from the rigging above. The bodies were, most of them anyway, hung from bow to stern, strung about their hind legs one right after another, side by side, forming a haunting skirt about the ships sides. Each body bled out across the hull of the ship as it swayed in the swell of the ocean. As it moved, so did the bodies, swaying to and fro, bouncing and sliding across the hull. The once white sides of the vessel were now smeared, and painted with red; the blood was spread over every plank that didn’t touch water. The parts of the hull that did contact the water were still white, washed clean by the sea, which ran dark from the blood that flowed into it. One thing Pip noticed past the horrid image was the lack of sharks around the ship. Very odd.

There was a retching sound from the other side of the ship as one or two of the crew lost their meals over the side. All was quiet, even against the thunder, rain, and wind one could hear the ponies vomit splash to the water. Nopony breathed for what seemed like minutes. None of them dared speak, the scene aboard the other ship was just like that of the last one, just as gruesome, just as haunting.

A glint broke Pips riveted stare. He looked up to the ships helm, another glint flashed in the darkening sky. Pip turned the scope and looked through it. The glint flashed again. That’s when he saw it.

The Captains body. Standing at the helm as though still sailing. He was quite dead for certain, the spear that held him up saw to that. The shine that had drawn Pips attention was no less but that of another medallion. It was jammed in the dead captain’s mouth, held in place with a strap that forced the bodies jaw to stay clamped about it, holding it in place. Pip had to stifle a gag. But he knew he had to get that medallion.

“Radko, Get us as close as you can, I have to get aboard her.” Pip said loudly.

Radko looked at him in surprise. But he did so without question. They were soon close enough that one could jump over to the other deck on the upswell. Pip lashed a rope about his middle with some help from Dinky, magic was much better for that tedious work.

“Be careful. Come back to us in one piece.” She said as he prepared to jump over.

Pip gave her a wink as the ship rose in the sea, the deck rising above that of the Horizons. Pip gave a strong leap and cleared the gap between ships without as much as a slip. He undid his safety line and lashed it to a post. Pip walked carefully across the deck, careful not to step on anything or run into anything that he might miss on the floating grave.

Everything was in order on the deck, lashed down for storm weather just like the Bonnie Lass. Only the dents and splintered wood from rifle shot and sword blades showed beyond that.

As Pip continued to make his way to the helm he noticed that most of the lines to the sails had been cut. He was even more appalled to see more of the crew. The few not hanging from the sides were on board, manning cannons and checking charts. All of them dead and held up in gruesome puppet like positions, held up with rope and nails. Every one of them gutted as well. It was all he could do not to vomit as well.

Pip made it to the steps and made his way up to the helm. He looked down at the ship’s deck below; he no noticed it was also awash with blood. Every bit of it not washed off from the rain was covered in the red liquid. The smell mixed with that of the sea and rain, a truly strange smell that permeated ones memory.

Pip looked back up to the helm. The captain of the ship was held in place by lengths of rope and nails. His hooves were pinned to the deck with the nails and the wheel, while the weight of his body and head were held up by a collection of ropes and pulleys. A single spear was punched through the ponies gut and stuck into the deck, holding fast and preventing sway. The spectacle reminded Pip of a nightmarish version of a marionette.

He pushed all the fear and revulsion down, a monumental task at the sight of this horrid concoction of cruelty. He carefully edged closer to the corpse. He could see the medallion now, gripped between the ponies teeth as if trying to bite down on it. Its lanyard was missing. There was no way for pip to pull it out by hoof. A sudden wave of illness swept over him as he realized what he had to do. He took a steadying breath and moved closer. Soon he was so close he could smell the fur on the ponies face, the blood from its wounds. The medallion was sticking out an inch from the ponies gripping bite. Pip took one last breath and leaned in, grabbing the medallion with his teeth. He pulled back carefully and the medallion slid out. Pip quickly set the doubloon in his satchel and promptly threw up on the deck at his feet.

He spit to clear his mouth of the acrid taste of vomit. He looked back up at the body. He was instantly taken back to fear at what he now saw. The ponies eye was looking right at him. Pip at first thought it was just the death stare he’d missed at first, but then the eye blinked. Slowly and with great effort; fear gripped him as he now noticed the pony’s shallow, greatly labored breathing. He was alive. Pip just stood in frozen fear, unsure of what to do.

His horrified stare and fast breathing was broken suddenly by a sharp rock of the ship’s deck. He looked around for the source but could see nothing. It came again, a strong bucking movement as if something had hit the ship. Pip looked to the Bonnie Lass to see if it was rubbing the side. But she still had at least four feet of clearance between them, Radko ever careful to prevent an unwanted impact. They were all watching him intently he noticed.

The ship’s deck rocked again, this time strong enough to make Pip stumble just a bit. He looked back around when a noise pricked his ears. He listened again, it was a whiney of pain, weak and strangled, coming from the still living captain. Pip went to move closer to the pony, unsure what exactally he could do at all to help. The captain’s eyes were now wide with horror, rolling about in his head. Pip didn’t understand, did the pony think he was there to bring him more pain?

He heard a rasping sound from the ponies mouth, he leaned in close on a curious whim. He had heard correctly, a strangled word, a whisper came again, he could hardly hear it but he understood immediately.

“....run....”

Pip was on the move at once, no further debate on if he should try helping the pony or not. Whatever could spark fear in a pony so close to death was enough to tell Pip it was not good. He made it down the stairs in a flash, grabbing the rope he started to fasten it about his middle once more, but was interrupted when the ship’s deck heaved powerfully to one side and knocked him from his hooves. The rope flew free, picked up by the strong winds to a level Pip would not be able to reach.

He gained his hooving quickly as he could; the ship was calm again. He looked and listened as he moved towards the ships side once more. There was a strange noise from the other side of the vessel. A snapping of rope, followed by splashes. He listened closer and could hear a strange noise, as if something like sandpaper was being dragged along wet wood.

Pip cautiously strode to the opposite side of the vessel and stopped at the railing. Once there he took a deep breath and carefully peered over the side. Once again he was shocked to see a new horror, from below the water emerged a number of tentacles, each of them as big around as his body was long, a couple of them were twice that size, they were gripping the side of the ship. The tentacles snaked their way up the side of the ship, the ones that came into contact with the dangling corpses wrapped around them one at a time and began to pull, followed closely by a snap of the breaking rope and a splash as both tentacle and body fell as one into the sea. The tentacles that didn’t touch a body continued along their trail up the side of the ship.

It was enough to get Pip moving, he broke into a gallop, grabbing a length of rope as he went, it’s end had been cut and he promptly jumped as the swell dropped, the Bonnie Lass went up as he went down, it looked as though he would smash into the side of his own ship but the swell changed once more and just as he was about to hit the side the deck sunk just to his level and he released the rope from his mouth. He was in freefall for just a moment before he crashed painfully onto the deck of his own ship.

“Go NOW!” he shouted at Radko.

He’d barely recovered from the crash landing when he shouted this and grabbed up a rifle all at once, the words almost lost as the gripped the gun in his mouth and ran up to the helm.

The others stood there in shock at the sight of their Captains haste and apparent fear.

“What is it Captain?” Radko asked as he began to turn the wheel.

“Just go! You’ll see soon enough! Just get us out of here before it’s too late!” Pip shouted back.

He galloped up the stairs and once on the high point of the deck he set the rifle against the railing and took aim. He had to do one more thing before they got too far away. He looked down the sight with practiced ease, he did his best to steady his breath. There was a collective gasp from his crew as they saw what had prompted his haste and fear. There issued forth many shouts from them all as he tried his best to calm his nerves.

The swell picked up again, the Bonnie Lass rising quickly above the Horizon. The wind was whipping into his eyes, rain pelting him from every angle. He ignored the pain and focused on his target as it came into view.

He took a steadying breath and tracked his target as the swell began to shift once more. He breathed in once more and held it for a split second as he pressed the trigger release. There was a sharp and loud crack as the rifle went off, the recoil punching into his shoulder with a heavy nudge. His shot was true as he watched. The captain of the other ships head burst open, spraying brains and blood into the air. Not but a second later a large tentacle wrapped around the body and pulled it from its securing’s with the snaps of rope and audible crunch of bones.

They were pulling away quickly now. As they watched, two massive tentacles emerged from the ocean on the other side of the Horizon, slowly and methodically wrapping around the ships middle and dipping back below the surf. There was a thunderclap of sound as the ship’s hull began to shatter. Planks flew loose, cracking of timber echoed across the sea to play in their ears.

There was a buck that broke them of their show, their own deck heaving, much like had happened while Pip was aboard the other ship. The realization hit him heavily.

“To battle stations!” He bellowed at the top of his lungs.

The crew exploded into action, they were trained well, much to Pips satisfaction, no hesitation.
Soon the guns were brought to bear, guncrews ready both above and below. Others were ready with sword and axe.
There was another strong buck of the deck and in an instant their ships forward movement was arrested. They were caught fast. It grew quiet, then after a moment Pip could hear it. The sandpaper against wet wood sound, it came from all directions.

Mere moments passed before the first tentacle emerged above the railing, followed by a dozen more from all sides, turning their view from stormy ocean and breaking ship to a waving sheet of tentacles.

“Hold steady!” Pip said hastily.

The tentacles rose higher, then bent and formed close to the ship’s deck, they slithered past the guncrews, who promptly sidled away from them quickly. Pip noticed at once that the tentacles were small, barely the same width of one of his legs, long and agile. They were covered in little hairs as well. There were gasps and muffled shouts as they slithered about the deck, often brushing up against a pony’s leg, or side.

Pip was waiting for the right moment to give the order to strike which was rapidly approaching. One tentacle was approaching Dinky, who stood motionless, not out of fear he could see, she did not shake but watched carefully as the thing snaked towards her slowly. Pip took a breath in to give the command, but was promptly interrupted by Nixx who was just behind him.

“No captain, don’t.” he said quietly.

“What do you mean don’t!” We have to get it off our ship!” Pip said in a haughty reply

“I don’t think it’s attacking.” Nixx responded.

“What?! Are you serious? Look at the other ship!” Pip replied.

One could now see the other ship sinking slowly below the surf. The bodies that had been strung from the side were almost all missing now, taken by the tentacles.

“It’s not, I don’t think this is what you believe it to be.” Nixx said.

“It’s a serpent, a hunter; it’s going to do to us what it just did to the Horizon.” Pip spat back.

“No, it isn’t. Yes, your right, it is a serpent, a Kraken if you will, but not like the ones that live in Eternities Crossing. Otherwise I think we’d already be dead.” Nixx said hastily as a tentacle creeped up one of his legs.

“Then what is it! Tell me before I decide! Quikly!” Pip replied in quicker tones.

“I think it’s a Carrion Squid.” Nixx said.

“Carrion Squid? You mean like dead stuff Carrion?” Pip asked.

There was no response from the tech. Pip looked back and could now see a tentacle wrapped fully about the techs body and probing cautiously up to his face.

Pip turned and made to cut it with sword but Nixx quickly held up a hoof to stop him. Pip could do nothing but watch as the tentacle slithered up to nixes face; it let go with its end and promptly extended this past the techs face and turned to face him. That is if it had a face. There it hung in the air in front of the techs face. Pip could see the hairs it was covered in swaying gently to and fro. Nixx stood still and then just as he would a candle, blew on the end of the tentacle.

The hairs retracted just a bit in response. But then it swayed there for a moment, slowly it began to retreat, unwinding from around the techs body slowly and carefully. Pip looked around the ship, a couple other crew members had had the tentacles wrapped around them as well but were now being released as well.

Pip and the others watched in fascination as the tentacles slowly retreated back over the edge of the ship. He walked slowly to the edge and peered over. The tentacles had stopped just above the water, gripping the Bonnie Lass’s hull. It still was not releasing them. But then to his amazement they began to undulate, front to back, shifting in a wave, the ones at the end dropping into the sea. Pip could feel the ship moving now, slowly at first, but then quickly picking up pace.

“It’s pushing us.” He heard Nixx say next to him.

It was unmistakable now. The undulating movement of the tentacles was pushing them forward at a quickening pace. Soon the last one dropped into the sea and they were moving quickly away from the last throes of the Horizon, which only had a part of the deck and the masts showing above the water now.

Pip trotted up to the helm and looked out over the sea behind them; it was now that he could see the full aspect of the creature that resided just below the surface. A flash of lightning lit the area around them like it was day. In that instance Pip saw the massive monster. It was fully the length of at least three of his own vessel from bow to stern. It’s width was that of at least one and a half of his ship from port to starboard. It was truly a massive animal, masses of tentacles waved about the front, or at least he figured as the front, of its body, some were small like those that had been aboard the Bonnie Lass, and others were massive, as big around as some of the cannons on the ships of the line in the Equestrian Royal Navy. It was a sight to behold indeed. He was at once glad it was not a true Kraken indeed.

The brief moment was interrupted as they were once again swallowed by the storm. The gale hit them full force as they sailed back into the rough of it. The crew quickly retreated below decks to seek shelter, all but the ones needed on deck, those left on deck fastened lengths of rope around themselves to keep from being thrown overboard as they did their work. Dinky, at the request of Pip retired to their cabin, but not before she secured a rope tightly about Pips middle.

Pip handed the satchel off to her, making sure she gave the medallion to Nixx once inside.

As they sailed the storm steadily grew worse. Soon the rain was driving down in buckets, the wind howled in an angry tone, lashing anything and everything in its reach. Lightning tore through the sky lighting the black waves as they broke upon the prow.

Pip was very thankful for the safety ropes more and more after each wave that broke over their ship. The storm had sent everypony below except for Pip, Radko, and Danza. The three of them did all they could to keep the ship on course and in one piece. Radko fought the wheel at every point. He still wore the armor the Guardians had given to him back in Gallopfry, he’d grown accustomed to it and was no longer hindered by any means by it. This proved lucky for Pip at one point in the storm.

He was struggling with a line that had come undone in the gale, fighting to retie the soggy line to its post. There was a clattering of hooves to his side; he figured it was Danza chasing down a rope himself. That was wrong, as it was proved otherwise when an explosion of pain erupted about his head, stars flooding his vision as he was bowled over by something.

Pip looked up just as his assailant was rearing up to deliver a crushing blow. All he could do in his dazed state was watch. Before the pony could strike though he lurched forward as if something had struck him from behind, that was when Pip noticed the single metallic spear tip sticking through its chest. The pony paused before lurching forward, sliding off the spear like rod as it slumped to the deck where it was promptly washed overboard by the next wave.

The next thing the dazed Pip knew was the feeling of being lifted and carried into shelter. Everything was getting blurry and the pain was ever-present. He could hear voices around him. They were insistent, frantic, but still held to some modicum of calm. He could make out the surgeons voice just enough to know he was in good care. He was still unsure of what all had transpired. Pip could hear Dinky talking quietly next to him, but the pain drown out most of her words, shortly after he felt a pinprick on his arm and he was quickly out like a light in a restless sleep.

No rest for the Wicked

Pip came to, sunlight and a strong breeze waking him. Immediately he could feel a throbbing pain in his head. He began to prop himself up on his elbows but stopped when his vision began to swim. There was a voice to his side. He recognized it as the doctor, Quix.

"Careful Captain. Your pretty banged up. Take it slowly. Here, try drinking some water." Quix insisted, proffering a bowl of clear water.

Pip took the proffered water and drank slowly at first, then in great gulps as his thirst came up in power. He finished off the water in a few great gulps. His vision shortly after stopped swimming as badly and he was soon able to sit up. The ache in his head was still strong though.

"Do you recall any of what happened?" Quix asked.

Pip thought for a moment, he quickly remembered what had happened, he was relieved at least that his memory was still good.

"Yes, I was attacked by somepony on board. Radko, he killed whoever it was didn't he?" Pip asked the doctor.

"Yes, he did indeed, very fortunate that he was so quick to intervene. Otherwise I dare say we'd be captain-less." Quix said in a dark tone.

"I'm glad to hear so. And I must thank you too doc. I remember hearing your voice just before I passed out, I would naturally assume you fixed me up." Pip said in confidant tones.

"Yes sir indeed it was me, with some help of course. Dinky barely left your side while you were out. She was hell bent on watching over you. Should have seen the way she questioned the deck hand I sent in to bring water. Scared the wits out of the young sailor." Quix replied with a chuckle, "She will be pleased to see you awake when she returns.

"Returns? Is she not aboard?" Pip asked curiously.

"No, but she is ok. I was able to convince her to join Radko and Stormwing to try finding some new rigging and spare sail cloth." Quix said in a calm tone.

"Oh, are we near a merchant fleet then?" He asked.

"No, not quite. You see, the storm, after you were out, it got much worse. We got tossed about pretty good. Luckily the cargo did not loose, they tied it well. But the same cannot be said of your rigging and sails, that all got bashed up pretty badly, we essentially limped into port." Quix replied.

"Port, where at? How long have we been here?" Pip asked in a slightly alert tone.

"Stableside. We've been here for three days." Quix answered.

"Three days? I've been out that long?" Pip said in alarm.

"Not out entirely, you've just not been as coherent as you are now." Quix said kindly.

"I see. Well at least everything is being handled by the sound of it. Have the crew been set at liberty while here I hope?" Pip asked.

"Of course. Some of them were very eager to be off ship." Quix replied with concern.

"Not unexpected. I doubt many of them will return either. Normally I would see to it this was dealt with, but seeing as what we have been through in just the time we've been out I cannot justly condemn them. See to it that letters are sent to the Admiralty board here for those who do not return explaining of their approval of ship transfer requests. That should keep them from trouble, hopefully get them aboard a new vessel in time." Pip replied.

Normally this duty would fall to Radko, but Pip trusted the surgeon would see to it just as effectively.

"I will sir. And now seeing that your thinking clearly once more and don't seem to be having any trouble I'll leave you be. I believe Nixx would like to speak with you, if you would like me to I will send for him." Quix replied. gathering his things.

"Very well, thanks again Quix, for everything." Pip replied kindly as the surgeon made his way out.

He sat in silence for a moment. All at once he grew restless and immediately climbed off the bed. Once up he took some time walking about his cabin. His legs were weak and prone to shakiness he noticed as he paced. A few minutes passed and soon he felt stable enough that he wouldn't fall. Pip made his way to the door slowly, stopping along the way to grab up his hat. He looked in the mirror, noticing the tight bandages for the first time, he made sure his hat was secure before he stepped outside.

The bright sunlight stung his eyes for a moment as they adjusted from the long time spent in his quarters. Pip promptly set about pacing the ship to and fro until he had fully regained the strength in his legs. He was at the moment standing just behind the helm looking out behind the ship. Beyond the open mouth of the harbor he was greeted with a tremendous view. Sailing into the clouds above, it's size and splendor proving to be something of legend and myth at once, stood the ruins of one end of the Eternity Bridge.

The structure, even in it's decayed state, towered over everything Pip had ever seen. The horizon beyond was mostly hidden by the colossal giant in front of him. He remembered back to his schooling as a colt, they had briefly covered the significance of the bridge. He did however remember that the bridge had once ferried ponies and cervids alike from Equestria to Cervidas in chariots drawn by elementals. He remembered as well there had once been a whole city in the center of the bridge. All that had come to a crashing halt after the Long Night, when Nightmare Moon had been banished. Other than that bit of knowledge the sight before him was entirely new and incredible. It dwarfed everything he could ever imagine as large, it's top was hidden somewhere above the clouds of the sky. In his awestruck stupor at the sight before him he failed to hear Nixx approach him and startled when he cleared his throat.

"Incredible isn't it. To think that we once had a means to cross the entire ocean, storm or sun, in less than an hour. It's said that when it fell for the final time the earth could be felt shaking all the way in the Griffin Kingdoms, and the waves produced by the fall soared higher than Tramplevanian Alps. Some claim that on the longest night of every year if you listen, the screams from the city that fell with it can be heard on the wind." Nixx said, joining Pip at the ships railing to take in the incredible sight.

They stood looking out to the colossal structure for a few moments before Nixx spoke again, "I was hoping I could speak with you on out current matter at hoof. That being the medallion you retrieved a few nights back. I will warn you before I start, you are not going to like it." Nixx said.

"I've not been liking anything we've encountered since we left Bridle Shores. I don't think your going to surprise me with much, but go on please, I'm listening." Pip sighed.

Nixx walked over to the chart table where he produced the three medallions they had collected throughout their voyage and set them on the map.

"So first off you know that with each medallion we've found we have also been pointed to another point and without fail each time we have encountered more of the Draquus, or their dealings at least. I've spent that last few days looking at them closely, mostly the one we just acquired. Like the others it has a hint as to another location. But this time it's more of a warning than anything, the point on the map matches up perfectly with Abbadon's Fury. A storm I would surly advise against tempting. I cant imagine that anything would be there. It also points to an area on the map far from Equestrian waters, past even the Scorched Lands to a chain of islands that we at least have no name for, somewhere past the cloud Empire of Vaporia. But that is the least of my interest." Nixx said.

"The least? How could you top that? It looks like you've managed to track this incursion clear to the edge of the world. What else could possibly be of more interest." Pip asked in shock.

"Well, I found something else. Something they seem to want hidden. Something close-by. A place. The other night in the storm, after you were already out. I was in my cabin mulling over these medallions, trying to keep them from sliding of my desk in the pitch, it was then I noticed the very faint etchings in the corners of each one. I've spent the last few days here trying to fit them together, I'm still working on it but I'm certain the are meant to show another, more important destination. It's just a matter of if I can get any of the lines to match up with a place on the map. I've been through so many different combinations already that I can see them in my sleep." Nix continued in an exasperated tone.

Pip chuckled at this added bit of self pity Nixx threw out. It was unlike the Tech to get upset with himself, but it was more unlike him to find difficulty in solving problems. “Well I imagine we’ll be in port here for some time, whether I like it or not, perhaps you’ll be able to make some progress by the time we leave?” Pip said, challenging but friendly.

“Yes, yes. I do hope so. I dislike missing details.” Nixx said.

Pip nodded his head in understanding. Nixx began putting the medallions back in his satchel, careful to keep them in the same side; he also rolled up a spare piece of parchment he’d been using to scratch ideas in. The tech presently nodded to Pip and without another word trotted back down to his hold to further study the artifacts.

Pip returned to the view of the ruins of the once mighty bridge, contemplating what lay in wait for them when they left the safety of the port. After everything they had already been through in their short voyage Pip was sincerely concerned for the safety of his crew and ship. But even with that he knew that he would have to continue on with his mission. His ship was currently the only vessel in Equestrian seas with any knowledge of what lay out there, what was currently lying in wait, mustering its strength before inevitably coming to overthrow the royal crown once it was strong enough. And he had no doubt in his mind that it would come. This simple understanding of tactics was enough to add vigor and determination to his mind. He knew he had to get to the bottom of the threat and quell it before it was too late.

As he watched the shrouded ruins in the distance he was calmed in the knowledge that he had a willing and more than able crew that would stick with him even in the most dire of situations to come. They had already proven that time and again throughout their chase. Their chase, another reminder of the strange and mysterious enemy that they now pursued; Pip wondered just how it was that a ship as large as the one they were after managed to slip away so effectively and quickly. The crew of the other vessel was either driven by some powerful mindset, or more likely Pip hoped, by some technology. Technology after all could fail, could be broken.

As stood there with the thoughts pouring through his mind like a heavy rain he was wholly oblivious to the tapping of hooves approaching him slowly. It wasn’t until their owner was standing closely next to him that he was finally broken from his contemplative stupor.

“Magnificent isn’t it. Both amazing and terribly tragic.” Dinky said quietly.

“Yes, tragic indeed. But still an incredible sight to behold.” Pip replied just as quietly.

“I’m very happy to see you awake and ok. I was so worried.” Dinky said quietly, audibly choking back tears.

“So I heard. Although I must admit that I’m still in some pain. Whatever it was they hit me with must have been heavy. Never thought I’d say I was glad to be in a storm at sea but for once I think it actually saved my life, well, that is, along with help from Quixx and yourself.” Pip replied in a gentle tone.

He heard a sniffle and was about to look over but he suddenly found himself off balance as he was wrapped in the warm embrace Dinky now had him in. She was sobbing, but not in sadness as between each sob he could hear choked laughter.

The suddenness of the embrace jarred him enough to cause him pain; after all, he was still sore. But just the simple feeling of Dinky holding him was enough that he could ignore the pain. He did his best to repress his own tears of happiness but a few determined ones made their way down his cheeks against his will. He was happy.

A moment passed as they held each other, just enjoying the presence of the other. Finally Dinky pulled away and wiped her face dry, a happy smile on her face, Pip standing there with a similar grin on his own face.

“So Quix filled me in on what happened while I was out. Told me you had gone out to find some new rigging and sails. Did you all manage to find anything of worth?” Pip asked.

“Yes, more than enough. The other ships here are all very warm; they gave us more than we could possibly need to be underway. We even managed to get our hands on some spare rations that we can use while we are doing repairs rather than drawing upon our own reserves. As well as that we have had word from Canterlot, our friends that we met the other day at sea high tailed it home and passed word on about Gallopfrey. A detachment of the Royal Fleet was sent there to aid the locals...” She paused, a darker shadow casting over her face as she quietly continued, “If there is anyone left to help.”

Pip reached over and lifted her chin, looking her in the eyes he replied, “They will be there, I suspect it’ll take more than that to be rid of your friends on that island.”

He said this with all the comfort and sincerity he could muster, but even he doubted that as powerful as they were, the Guardians could have hoped to hold out against such numbers. This truth was strong in his mind, enough to make his kind words sound hollow. But it still had the desired effect upon Dinky that he had hoped. She brightened up at once and went back to looking out over the bay they resided in at the moment. Pip went to join her once again but was interrupted by a rustle of wings as Stormwing and another, unidentified Pegasus landed upon the deck. The stranger bore the sigil of the mail carriers that were in charge of official mail throughout the realm of Equestria.

“Message for you Captain Pip.” Said the Pegasus in a husky voice. He at once produced a letter, sealed with red ink and the seal of the Royal Naval Admiralty. Pip took the letter and thanked the Pegasus who gave a little bow and launched off the deck and into the air with astounding speed, the wind of his takeoff blew their manes in a rough breeze. Pip watched for a moment as the Pegasus rapidly vanished into the distance. Only the fastest pegasai were offered to carry mail for the crown and military, as quite often it was delicate information.

Pip at once went to the chart table and opened the crisp, sealed scroll. The wax pulled apart a bit, still warm, this message was fresh as could be. He read over it quickly, as it was short and to the point. Nopony could question the ‘snap to’ attitude of the admiralty.

“Captain Pip of the Bonnie Lass,

Your presence is requested at the behest of the local Naval Board. Come as you are able.

Sincerely,

Admiral Tenant”

This was a summons Pip could not ignore. To do so would surely strike him of his commission to the Equestrian Empire. He rolled the message back up at once and stuffed it in the satchel beside the table.

“Radko.” He summoned his second.

“Yes Captain?” Said the Hooviet Stallion.

“I’ve been summoned to meet with the local board of Admirals this eve. I trust in my absence that you will care for our ship in my absence?” Pip said firmly, yet not unkindly.

“Of course Captain. You need not worry. I’ll see to it everything is in once piece when you return.” Radko replied in a lightly humored tone.

“Very good, carry on.” Pip said with a chuckle. He may be the captain of his ship and crew, but he earned their respect through a steady and calm demeanor rather than an iron hoof.

That night as he readied himself in his cabin his thoughts galloped to and fro, he had expected the admiralty board to contact him but not so quickly, or with such precise knowledge of his location. But then again, it was their job to know. And so he was dressing in his best attire to at least present a halfway decent appearance to the board. First impression was everything, especially when those he needed to impress were all that stood between him being a paid employee of the crown, and being named a brigand.

Finally he deemed himself fit for presentation adding the final touch, his sword, before making his way out of the cabin. All around him the crew was at work, not rushed though, but in the steady flow that seemed to run while in any port. A good pace Pip figured as he worked his way to the gangplank that led down to the docks. Dinky trotted beside him as they made their way down the walkway. As they reached the end Pip turned, “Take care of yourself, I’ll be back in a couple hours, do be sure Radko takes care of the ship.” He said with a wink.

“Don’t you worry about me, you take care of yourself, it would seem every time I let you out of my sight you find some kind of trouble to get into.” She said with an equal air of humor. She gave a warm nuzzle before trotting back up to the ship to resume her own work. Pip was near the end of the docks, entering the town when he heard the hoof beats of a running crewman behind him. He looked back to see Nixx pull up just behind him. The tech had his own manner of formal attire on as well, which he quickly neatened up with magic before addressing Pip.

“Captain, if I may, I feel that if you are to address the board of our recent exploits perhaps it would be best if I came along.” He said in what seemed a practiced speech.

“Very well, I hope you brought the medallions and anything else you think we might need.” Pip replied in good humor.

“Yes, yes, I have them all. Plus a mapped out course of our recent travels with each incident documented at their respective timeframes. I do hope it’s enough.” Nixx said.

“I imagine it will be more than enough. Let’s go.” Pip replied.

The two worked their way through the crowded streets of the town. It was a bustling little city, full of every kind of pony one could think of. All seemed to be going about their business as usual and showed no signs that they knew of what lurked just beyond their port in the open seas. It was a bit surprising to Pip but it was nothing out of the ordinary.

Soon they were near the Royal Naval Offices, it was hard to miss, the building wasn’t particularly large compared to the other buildings in the surrounding city but it was astonishingly well designed. The building shined in the lamp lit night, the marble of its stairs and columns shone white and polished. Their hooves clicked as they made their way up the staircase. Two guards at the top pushed open the large wooden doors and allowed them admittance.

They were immediately immersed into the world of everything nautical. There were model ships of every type of vessel the Royal Navy had used from past to present in showcases all around the front foray. They had the bones of a whale hanging from the ceiling, cannons and rifles of old and new on display. It was more like a museum than an office for Admirals and Naval Maretime Business.

Pip and Nixx made their way through the building; everywhere they went they had to dodge secretaries that were busily galloping from office to office with memos, letters, and any manner of things. There were officers and crewmembers from other ships all about as well. Pip recognized more than a few of them as they trotted past on their own business, some followed by secretaries of their own.

Shortly the two reached their destination, before them was a simple door with a small decorative glass pane in it and the bronze letters ‘Board’ pinned to its heavy frame. They took a moment to straighten themselves up before he knocked. There was a moments silence after Pip rapped on the door. Then the handle turned and the door opened almost of its own accord. They entered and the door closed behind them, the faint glow of blue magic highlighting the latch.

Pip was at once surprised, not by the number of ponies in the board room but rather the lack-there-of. Seated before them was a single, stout old admiral. His bluish coat was the same color as the shallow beach waters and his hair matched the white of wave caps. Pip had been expecting a full board room; he’d expected a large number of the brass to be sitting all around him, waiting to pass judgment of his recent exploits, question him, and all number of things that were required from a board meeting. But instead there sat the single, solitary, stallion who quietly looked at the two with a studious and steady gaze.

Unsure of how to begin Pip cleared his throat, he was interrupted before he even began.

“Sit.” He said in a heavy yet friendly voice.

Pip and Nixx quickly settled on two of the provided cushions. There they sat in silence as the statue like admiral looked them in the eyes. First Nixx, then to Pip, staring hard as if he could discern every bit of their trials by simply looking straight through their minds; Pip surely felt like the he was glaring straight into his brain. He shifted uncomfortably under the scrutinizing gaze which he did his best not to break even though he wanted too.

Just as the thought crossed his mind though the stallion broke his steely gaze and addressed them in a calm and unexpectedly friendly voice.

“So, I’ve read the reports that were sent with the ship you met up with. Quite the tales they are indeed. I must wonder how much of it is true and how much of it is sea tales of a weary crew. Such as the creatures you mentioned.” He said.

Pip stopped him there, “With all due respect sir, the creatures you speak of are all too real. I can promise you that. That which was mentioned in our report was no tall tale.” He said pointedly.

“Well, you’ll excuse me if I don’t believe you at once. I’ve nothing but a report, from a hard sailing crew. A crew who, mind you, is not technically part of our military but rather a band of employed sell swords lucky enough to eke out a living under the merciful wings of our princesses. Why should I believe your tall tales, I’ve heard many before yours in my time.” Said the Admiral.

All previous notions of friendliness had all but dried up. It was clear that this long time sailor was not prone to the stories of the young. Pip couldn’t blame him entirely, as he’d heard many tales even in his relatively short time as captain, but it was vastly insulting to him to be doubted so harshly, and furthermore to be labeled as brigands under pay. An insult itself more plainly there was not.

“I find your lack of concern and base insinuations downright insulting to my crew and myself. Ever have we been helpful to the crown and strict followers of the laws of the nation. Calling us sell swords is a repulsive and infuriating insult to the Navy itself. Now perhaps we don’t have much to show of our endeavors’ but our word, true, but if I were in your position I at least would have the sense to properly greet the captain responsible for such tales. At least ask if there was more to show.” Pip said in a heated voice.

Before the Admiral could respond with more negligence Nixx added his own two sense. Not words, but rather he proceeded to upend the contents of his satchel upon the table. The sketches from the night of the fire, and Pip noticed, more sketches of almost every encounter they’d had since that first night. Following them closely the medallions clattered upon the desk, some of them left nicks in the polished wood as if to punctuate their reality.

He said nothing and mentioned nothing as he simply let the items and drawings speak for themselves. The Admiral looked them over for a short time before resuming his unconvinced stance.

“It’s not enough. You show me all these items, drawings and trinkets, tell me gruesome tales of unfortunate ships. It’s still not substantial enough to hold in a full hearing. And before you get any more heated at me than you are, know this. Where you now sit is where any other Captain would sit for a full hearing. Indeed this was meant to be such. But as you can see, only I have come. The others were less convinced. Even in my highly skeptic view I decided to at least hear you out a bit. Regardless of my not believing you.” Said the Stallion in a matter-of-fact tone.

The knowledge that he had been the only one who had bothered to grant them audience was remarkable. But Pip was bent on winning him over. He had too, the safety of Equestria was at stake he did not doubt.

He began to speak up, he had the words ready and the tale on the tip of his tongue but he was interrupted once more by a series of dull thumps which immediately drew his attention. He lifted his ears to better hear as he looked sidelong to the ceiling. The thumps sounded again. Cannons.

He looked at the Admiral who just sat there with a quizzical look on his face.

“What was that?” Pip asked.

The Admiral smirked as he responded, “It is the late night cannon firing from the fortress. It happens every night. I would expect a Captain to know that as it is customary across the empire is it not.” He said.

The cannons sounded again. Pip was not entirely convinced; there was something to familiar about it.

All at once the meeting was cut short and his suspicions were confirmed. Another volley could be heard, this time from much bigger guns. There was a deafening thunder in the distance shortly after.

Pip looked to the Admiral who now was up and listening as well, “I suspect that is not normal after all. After all, an Admiral of the Navy would know that wouldn’t he?” Pip shot back.

No response was able to be heard though as the roof above them suddenly exploded in glass, wood, and masonry as a cannon ball blasted its way through.

Nixx and Pip were already on the move, thoughts of the admiral were only now in the sense of his following them outside.

Once the three of them managed to push their way into the street they were greeted with chaos. Fire was blazing from a dozen places all through the coastal town; the fortress was itself an inferno in many places, but it still held strong, its massive cannons returning fire in regular intervals. Again the sound of another familiar volley, Pip at once recognized the sound of his own ships guns. There was no doubt the town was under attack.

Pip wondered who would do such a thing and at once looked skyward as if to confirm his suspicions. In just a moment his fears were indeed revealed. The Draquus were there.

“Tell me of tales and stories now Admiral.” Pip shouted over the din of the cannons. Just then a large dark form swooped from on high and drove sidelong into the Admiral who was battered to the ground under the heavy aerial strike. A large Draquus was boring down on him. The old stallion was not prepared for the sudden attack. In just a matter of seconds the creature had the ponies neck firmly gripped in its powerful jaws, another second would pass and then the fangs would finish the job.

Before they did though a shot rang out from down the street, blood spewed forth from the creatures head and it collapsed in a heap on the brick road. Pip looked up in time to see another pony, clad in the Royal Armies regalia, load a fresh round into his rifle before galloping down the road to continue the fight elsewhere, stopping only long enough to check on the Admiral before continuing down to the docks where the fighting was heaviest.

“Must I convince you of anything further before you take heed our warnings?” Pip shouted at the Admiral who was now racing toward the docks alongside Pip and Nixx.

“No, no you have been proven truthful to the point of your tales. Go now, Get to your vessel and get out of here. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to continue the hunt of these creatures, find out where they are coming from, what their purpose of coming here is and why they are making war with the crown. You will have help from the Armada as soon as I can order it. Where is your next idea for where you may encounter them?” The Admiral shouted over the din of the fires raging about them.

Nixx responded first, “Based on my findings from the medallions we’ve collected along with our previous heading chasing the ship we were following we’ve decided to sail to Bad Wolf Bay.” He shouted back.

The Admirals face became stony with recognition of the area. Pip knew why too.

“Be careful there sailor, there may be more there than just these creatures. Now Go. I shall direct the fort to draw fire from the ship so that you can escape.” He galloped off without further word.

Pip and Nixx looked at one another and then made a mad dash for the dock below where their ship was still waiting for them.

As the galloped town the gangway Draquss swooped all about them. More than once Pip was forced to duck to prevent being barreled into the water. Nixx was almost too the ship ahead of him when one of the creatures landed heavily in front of him. Nixx halted mid run and did his best to back up as quickly as his forward momentum would allow. Pip was there just as the creature reared up for a kick at the tech. Pip ran below the brute, closing the distance in a moment and drove his saber up into the monsters stomach. Nixx had quickly recovered and now joined the fight, kicking hard at the monsters head. It connected with a crunch and the creature fell over into the sea. They made their way up the plank of the Bonnie Lass which Pip immediately ordered to be cut loose and sail made. But as he looked around he could see the sails were already ready and the plank being drawn on board. The mooring lines were unceremoniously pulled back on the ship as well and before he could give another order they were moving out of their dock.

Radko stood at the helm, taking orders from Dinky who was galloping to and fro making sure nothing was amiss. Once satisfied all was well she made her way to Pip and made sure he was ok, no amount of fuss was held back, he almost had to push her back. “I’m fine. We need to get out of here fast. In a couple moments the fortress is going to draw the ships fire and give us a chance to get out. I don’t intend for us to leave them hanging though. Once were in a position where we can get by without too much damage I want to return the favor and see if we can draw her out into open waters. Get the crew ready on the Blaze Cannons.” He said in a calm yet stern tone.

Barely a moment passed as the others readied the guns when the fortress opened fire on the Draquus ship. All at once it seemed like thunder had decided to get involved. The noise from the guns firing at once shook every bone in Pips body, even setting his teeth to rattle. They fired again and again as only a strictly trained gun crew could do. The amount of shot impacting the Draquus ship was incredible. But even under the massive amount of cannon fire the ship held its own. The timbers were strong on that vessel. Pip was able to look at it finally as they sailed past it slowly. It was massive compared to the Bonnies Lass. The shadows cast by the burning town covered over half of Pips own ship as they passed behind the warship. Finally as they were passing into the open Pip gave the order to open fire. Their own cannons roared, pelting the ship’s hull with almost point blank fire, at that range the cannon balls punched through the thick timber bet even so the damage was minimal.

The goal was not for holes though. In the next instant the crews stationed on the blaze guns took careful aim and they opened fire. The angry roar of fire drown out the sound of guns as great hungry flames raced out across the water and hit the vessels side; at once flames licked up the side of the ship billowing around the points of impact, the steady streams of burning liquids doused the ships side, and more importantly as Pip watched, the crew managed to spray the inferno into the many holes that the cannons had punched in the ships armor. Fire would surely be spreading below decks after that.

The flames from the guns continued to roar angry red and white, the heat given off from them made steam rise in torrents from both the sea below and the wet hull. Clouds of smoke and the salty steam rose into the air about them. The crackling of wood could be heard above the angry din of the fire as they sailed past. The Bonnie Lass lurched in the water as more sail was added, they sped out of the bay and into open waters they Draquus ship in full pursuit and still being battered by the fortress guns. Pip now looked behind him at the city and the fortress. Fire spread everywhere, houses and buildings were falling, ships sinking and burning. It was fortunate they had acted when they had, for if the ship had managed to stay in the bay the town would surely had been leveled, Pip was certain of that. The sky was full of smoke and steam, the fortress batteries still fired flack into the sky at the continually flying creatures still in range, some of which caught the rounds full on only to be shredded like one does a paper.

The ship was pursuing them fast, the fires still burning its sides as the crew did their best to put the flames out. The Bonnie Lass was fast but this warship was still gaining on them. Pip looked about for his best options of escape. But out in open water he had very few chances. Then to his relief, and bitter realization he saw his only way of escape. Pip grabbed the wheel and pulled hard to the right the Bonnie Lass heaved to and turned toward the thick grey fog that surrounded the sea below the ruins of the Eternity Bridge. Pip watched in mixed feelings of fear and hope as the prow vanished into the thick fog, followed closely by the rest of the deck. He looked back once more upon the burning city and their pursuer just long enough to see them vanish as the dense clouds swallowed all from view.

Eternities Mist

Eternities Mist

The world had vanished from view the instant they hit the dense fog. Pip had to squint to make out the prow of the ship. It was an unnatural fog for sure. The moment the Bonnie Lass was swallowed by it Pip had felt it, some strange sensation that pricked the edges of his conscience as wrong; a pervasive feeling that they were not alone in the mist. Pip was not the only one to feel it either, anyone else he’d asked all felt as though something was amiss.

Pip himself could not shake the feeling that there was something strange about the fog they sailed through but exactly what he was unsure of and so he did his best to put it out of his mind as he guided the ship slowly and carefully through the treacherous waters around them.

They sailed slowly, the zebra twins Zanza and Danza stood on either side of the ship, often taking turns while one slept or ate, but mostly together calling out directions or warnings. While they were at sea they were forced to be as careful as possible. The only way to achieve that was by slow and steady pacing and careful steering. It was grueling work but one mistake could see them all swimming back to shore, or more likely, dinner for one of the many seaborne denizens that prowled the oceans.

They had been sailing in such a fashion for days now. Night was especially treacherous and most often found them anchored and motionless for the inability to continue. It was not so much the fog that they were careful from, but rather what it was hiding within its nearly opaque body. Sailing through this area of sea was usually warned against due to its nature, but they’d been driven into it in order to avoid the Draquus warship. So now by day they maneuvered ever so slowly to avoid the sunken ruins all around them. Any collision with the remains of the long fallen Eternity Bridge would surely breach their relatively delicate hull and send them all to their dooms.

The slow going gave ample time for many of the crew to do what any crew did best at sea in dangerous or uncertain times. Woolgathering. There were soon rumors and stories floating among the crew as they went about their duties, few as they were. It was a normal reaction to the unknown in any crew at sea, but it was also dangerous at times. Some crew members could not handle the ideas of what might lurk in the mist about them and were prone to anxiety and fear mongering, the latter of which if taken too seriously could lead to sabotage or mutiny and so Radko did his best to quash any signs of the two while the more experienced of the crew did their best to keep the more elaborate and colorful stories at bay, sometimes through force as Pip once heard while below as some of the crew scuffled with one of the more expressive members, all in all though things were not as bad as they could be.

It was darkening about them now, soon Pip would call to drop anchor for the evening, usually before the light of day that did make it through the soup like fog vanished into darkness. That was really the only way they could tell time was passing for the most part, only the careful observation and use of their hourglass’s helped get a more accurate time. And so they had done so for nearly three days of sluggish navigation. Pip was glad they had been able to finish getting resupplied before they were forced to leave under fire otherwise they might have been in a tough position by now.

The noise of the anchor hitting the water’s surface broke the eerie silence, momentarily at least. The sails were tied tight against the breeze to prevent any creeping movement other than what the small currents provided. Pip left the helm to Zanza who took it with a silent nod, it seemed out of place to speak, the strange silence of the area was oppressive to the point that nopony wanted to speak to loudly. He worked his way down to the dining area, many had already gathered there in dull silence as they poked about their meals. All that could be heard was hushed whispers and the clattering of cutlery against trays.

Pip took his seat beside Dinky who welcomed him with a warm smile. He tried to return the smile with as much warmth but he could tell his failure by her face. She knew something was out of place among the crew and himself as well. She never missed a thing. Dinky gave him a warm nuzzle and continued about her meal. Pip looked about his somber crew. Many of them looked back, questioning glares on many of their faces. Pip suddenly got the feeling that the silence was not only the place, but something among the crew as well.

Down the way a throat cleared, the noise of eating and noise from the kitchens ceased, one could have heard a feather drop. Pip looked for the source but could not pin it. Then the questioning voice sparked up. Not angry, but almost worried in sound, even so it was bold and steady.

“Cap’n, what are we doing? Are we lost? It’s been three days without sight of another soul or land. Nothing but mist and rubble and silence.”

Pip had had the feeling this moment was coming soon. It was normal for a crew to question so when in situations like this. Pip was thankful that they had decided to take this route rather than the more direct one, one punishable by death...

He saw no reason to lie to them though. “Yes, we are lost you could say. We don’t know where we are, nor where we are headed. And yes, we've not seen another sight of life or land in three days either. And I agree, the mist is troublesome, but I’m not going to let us become one of the stories other crews talk about in the early morning hours abroad other ships. We will find a way out, you know we will, I will get us out. Like I always have.” He responded sternly.

The cabin remained silent for a number of minutes as the rouge voice didn't respond. Then in the same calm silence a single mug lifted into the sky. More mugs rose to meet it with a subdued but audible clacking of rims. At that the silence settled in once more and soon after the sounds of cooking and eating resumed as normal. It seemed they had accepted with ease that they would make it out. They were satisfied. For now. Pip did not miss the underlying current of dismay among his crew though. If they were already questioning him in this short time it was bound to get worse before long. A possibility Pip had no want to witness. He had to wonder though why after all they’d been through they chose now to question him. Something was amiss. Things amiss on a vessel were never a good thing.

The crew continued their meal in relative silence, many of them seemed to afraid to break it. After they ate many of them made their way back to the crew deck, some averted their eyes as they passed Pip, others nodded in respect. It was hard to judge what was going through the minds of the new members they'd picked up at port, but for the ones he'd been with, Radko, Zanza and Danza, Nixx, and the rest of his long time crew, they were steadfast in their loyalty, no doubt. Some of them made it a point to assure him of it, which he could be nothing but grateful to hear.

Pip stayed at his table, accompanied by Radko and Nixx until the very last of the crew was gone. Radko, strangely enough for the normally quiet stallion, spoke first, "Don't worry captain, they are new, they have yet to witness the situations you have gotten us out of, they will come around." His dark eyes bore into Pip as he said this.

"I have no idea about the workings of others minds, as my expertise lies elsewhere, but I agree with Radko, once they see what your capable of they will not waiver anymore." Nixx added.

"I hope not." was all that Pip said.

Upon the deck things were no different from the days before. The ever-present mist clung to their ship, their surroundings were swallowed by the thick soup of fog, once could hardly see from one end of the ship to the next and up above the masts and sails were all but invisible. Pip trotted to the helm where Danza stood, the fact that the zebra was at the helm told Pip that it was evening. The light never seemed to change within the fog either, as they had discovered earlier.

"How has it been this night?" Pip asked quietly.

"Something's not right, we feel a stirring fright." Danza said quietly.

Pip could see Zanza trotting to and fro through the mist pausing at each spot he went to; ears swiveling back and forth, listening intently to something pip could not hear. Pip made his way over to the other Zebra, not interrupting he waited patiently for Zanza to address him. He waited for what seemed like minutes on end. But before Zanza had the chance to speak with him Pip picked up on the noise as well. It sounded like sloshing water. Not the same sound as water against the hull of a ship makes but more the sound of a beach, the gentle roll of water onto and off of shore.

He rotated his ears to follow the sound, he noticed from the corner of his vision Zanza had done the same. They both now stood at the port side of the Bonnie Lass, the sound was unmistakable. Pip looked to Danza at the helm and motioned for him to turn the ship to port. A quiet groan emanated from the ship as it made its arcing turn through the placid waters. Pip and Zanza both moved to the prow of the ship, now facing the noise as it grew less faint.

And then very quickly the mist began to thin, great shapes could be made out ahead as they moved slowly forward. The dense fog around them dissipated faster and faster, soon they found themselves staring at a massive collection of debris from the Eternity bridge. Sailing carefully as they made their way around the stones they gazed upon the scene. Most of the rubble was larger than the Bonnie Lass, large enough that if it fell, or if they struck one it would be certain doom for them all.

As they sailed around the seemingly endless array of stone and rubble they watched in silence. To see the stones so close was awe inspiring, and foreboding as well. The only sound that remained was the gentle sloshing of water against the rocky shore. The Bonnie Lass slipped through the water at a crawl, the idea of striking one of the monstrous stones around them was fearful, but what giants that might be below them was more worrisome. The thought etched its way into Pips mind as he looked at the great shadows in the water below them.

It was then he noticed something strange about the stones, as they sailed past one nearer to the surface he saw a familiar shape. It looked like a window. Or, at least, the masonry around what would have been a window. At first he didn't believe it, but as he looked closer he saw more of them, their darkness just slightly blacker than that around it. Pip looked up but saw none on the faces of the stone above the water. He watched carefully anyway for any other signs of a once great city. After a time though he was beginning to think himself delusional, but before that thought could confirm itself the Bonnie Lass carved a gentle arcing turn and suddenly the giant stones stopped and gave way to a sight that was enough to strike the mind blank and the heart skip a beat.

Before them now lay a city. One of ruins and darkness. The once great city was now nothing but crumbling rock and cold streets. Nothing stirred around them or in the city. Still the only noise about was the water on shore. They continued around the lifeless ruins, staring in wonder at the great spires that vanished in the mist above or that leaned on one another. Crumbled buildings, once homes, shops, libraries, stood now as dark monuments of a rich past. Pip looked at Danza and Zanza, the were equally enthralled by the sight. By now he also noticed a few others had joined them on deck and shared in the collective shock of what lie before them.

The ship was sailing ever slower now as they navigated the waters around the city. As they watched in awe the scene unfolding before them another shocking scene unfolded around them. There was a cracking noise of wood. At first they thought they had struck a rock, but then it sounded again from another side. Pip then looked overboard once more what he saw amazed him and terrified him at the same time. Ships. Dozens of them. Below the waters their sunken hulks slept. The tip tops of rotting masts stuck just above the water and snapped like twigs when they hit the hull of the Bonnie Lass. Pip could only wonder where the ships had been from, where they had come from and how they had sunk.

He looked back to the ruined city, its unlit and cold streets a grim reminder of what had happened to the city so long ago. The Bonnie lass continued its slow, creeping navigation of the dark waters around the city. The crew watching in silence as the scene unfolded, only the sound of water could be heard as they stood with held breath. There was suddenly a shout to Pips left, one of the crew had seen something. At first they all looked at him with doubt but as Pip looked himself he then saw it too. In the distance, near the shore, was a small boat, half sunk, and beyond it a whitish pile of debris.

The Bonnie Lass slowed to a stop at Pips command. He went to the scope and looked to the boat. It was old, covered in moss and rotting through. Pip looked at it for a moment to see if there were any markings that would hint to what ship it had been from but any that had once been there had long since rotted. Pip slowly panned the scopes view up towards the white pile of rubble. It's stark colors stood out against the grey color of the surrounding city. All to quickly his complete wonder of the place turned to unsettled worry. Bones. Not pottery, nor painted wood. It was the long rotted remains of a pony. He was going to look away but something caught his eye. It was a book. Worn by exposure but still in quite clean condition considering. It was large, and bound in rough trim. One bony leg had remained over the tome as if trying to protect it. Pip thought nothing of it, what good was a book in this place. No sooner though had that thought entered his head, than hear heard Nixx inhale a sharp breath. Moments after that Pip found himself on his own small boat rowing towards shore with Nixx and Radko in tow.

Nixx had his eye's pasted to the tome as they rowed closer and closer to the shore. The boat edged closer but before it even made contact Nixx had jumped onto the shore and made his way to the pile of bones, and more importantly to him, the book. At once Nixx set to work, brushing away bones, dusting the book with a small duster taken from his satchel. He worked carefully and diligently, from his pack he produced, tweezers, magnification lenses, scalpels, everything. Not once did a hoof touch the book, his antics were a blur of magic and tools as he worked on the text. Minutes passed, Nixx was enthralled in his work, leaving Radko and Pip to wonder at the ruins surrounding them. Daunting shadows lurked in every corner, every window and doorway. Pip couldn't help but feel as if they were being watched from every corner.

There was a sigh behind him. Pip looked back at the technician. His tools were still and the light sent of oils wafted in the air. Slowly Nixx reached forward with one hoof and opened the book. Its worn pages opened in the middle. What Nixx and Pip saw next surprised them both, and scared them. The book was hollow in the center. The pages cut out in the center to make a hole. Within it lay papers with writing, baubles, trinkets, mostly rotted or disintegrating. But the drawings were not to be mistaken.

Nixx carefully levitated the page in front of his face, holding it close to his magnifying lenses. He turned it over and around and then stopped. "It matches the others. It's a perfect drawing of the last medallion I need to be sure of the location hinted by the others." Nixx said. Pip's ears perked up suddenly alert. It wasn't noise that startled him, but rather the lack of noise. The whole time they'd been around the island both on the ship and on shore the water had gently sloshed all around them. Now though it was silent. Radko had also picked up on it. And shortly so had the tech. Nixx promptly stuffed the sketch back into the book and wrapped it up in his own supply of oil-paper and stuffed the whole mess into his pack. His shuffling the only sound for a moment.

There was then a scrape of hoof against stone and then stones clattering down a slope nearby. The feeling of being watched had apparently not been just fear. Someone, or something, was out there. "Back to the boat, quietly, but quickly." Pip said while looking around. They began moving slowly backwards to the boat. There was again silence, then all at once a loud clattering of hooves on stone coming towards them. They at once jumped into the boat and rowed powerfully as they could out to the water, but as they were drawing away the creator of the noise came into view with a shout, "Wait!"

They all looked back and were froze once more by what they saw before them. It wasn't a monster, nor some sort of ghost from the long past. It was instead a Draquus. But unlike any they had already encountered. Yes, it had the strange, dragon-like wings, the fangs, and the dark midnight blue coat. Unlike the ones they'd fought though, this one was well cleaned, and wore no armor, held no weapons. Nor could it have done so effectively. For most shocking of all was the fact that what stood before them was not at all a soldier, or even an adult. It was a child. And again in his young, pleading voice he shouted to them, "Wait!"
҉
They had sat in the boat staring at the small creature for some time. He, for they had eventually gone back at the beckoning of the youngster much to Radko's own wariness. But after landing back on the shore the youngster had at once stepped back a bit in fear of the giant Hooviet stallion. But that hadn't lasted more than a moment before he cautiously and slowly edged his way closer to Pip.

Pip had watched the youngster carefully as he approached. He had all the same markings and physical appearance as the other Draquus they'd encountered but he didn't seem the least intent to hurt them. Not that he could have of course. The little colts coat, if you could call it that, was the same striking midnight blue. His coat was just like any other, yet it differed around his chest, where it resembled more dragon like scales than anything else. But the two things that stood out the most were universal with the Draquus they'd so far encountered. The unsettling white fangs that stuck out below his upper lip and his strange wings. They were almost just like the Lunar Guards wings but less delicate.

The little colt was by this point sitting quietly in front of Pip. His large ruby colored eyes staring at him in excitement. Pip, for once, was at a loss at what to say or do. He just stood towering over the little colt staring back. They all stood quiet and studious of one another. The youngster was almost shaking in excitement by this point, but merely continued to stare Pip in the eyes.

Radko took a tentative step forward. The little colt snapped from his excited stare at once and bolted down the road. Pip at once gave chase, he had to know who this little colt was, and why for any reason he was even in such a place alone. They ran and ran, galloping across rugged, ruined landscape. The youngster was quick, bolting down passages, twisting and turning through the ruins like he knew them as home. They followed him as best they could, keeping up for what seemed like a long time. Finally though they followed him to a straight road. Gaining on him they decided it would be best if one of them would cut him off ahead and then they could stop him and talk. No sooner had they decided this than they noticed ahead was a sharp cliff to nowhere. They at once slowed and ground to a stop and as they watched the little colt ran full sprint and leapt off the cliff, his wings snapped open and he was airborne. No hope to catch him now as none of them had wings of their own.

Pip, Radko, and Nixx walked carefully towards the drop unsure of how safe it was, or how far down it was. Once they stood upon the edge their original wonder was replaced by sheer amazement. Behind them lay the ruins of a once great city. One everypony in Equestria had heard the tales of. Ruins as far as they knew. Now what they saw below them mocked everything they knew about the legends. For far below them, surrounded by sheer cliffs on all sides was a city. Quiet, and looking empty, but a city none-the-less. Not ruins, though some buildings were surely uninhabitable with large stones lodged through roof tops and such.

There was a gust of wind as the little colt swept by overhead and with a flourish closed his wings and plunged quickly past them drawing their vision towards the cliff face where they spotted a narrow and winding path carved into the face. The little colt landed not far off where he sat, waiting for them. Pip looked to them and shrugged. He made his way towards the colt and the beginning of long winding path down. He only got so close though before the youngster leapt again from the cliff face and flew a ways down the trail, taking up a new waiting spot. And so he continued to do so the whole way.

The path was rough, and prone to chipping away as they wound their way down into the city below. The little colt kept always ahead of them, flitting through the air or sitting on a stone outcropping, he never got close to the trio as they worked their way along the trail. After what was surely hours of walking the trail finally leveled out and gave way to the nearby buildings.

Upon entering the outskirts of the ancient town Pip once again had the feeling of being watched. The little colt had now landed next to him and trotted beside him as they went slowly down the empty road. He didn't speak, or make any noise hardly at all. But as they walked he subtly guided them from one road to another by darting ahead, knowing that they would follow him. When not picking a new direction he seemed content to quietly trot beside Pip, who along with his group, were still reeling from the discovery of both the city and the youngster. They couldn't help but glare at him for he was so very different than the other's they'd encountered. The little colt didn't seem to think himself different at all and paid no mind to their studious eyes.

Pip and the others followed the young Draquus down the road, with each few feet the place went from looking like ruins, to looking like habitable, and lived in, structures. It was unnerving to say the least. They were wondering still why they had decided to follow the youngster, who himself was a perfect image of all the other Draquus they'd encountered. Pip had no idea what they could be getting into, and while the young colt was calm as could be he and the others were on edge.

They now came into a clearing, like a square. It was decorated lightly, mostly just cleaned and the area around it repaired as best as possible, but it was unquestionably lived in recently. Where the occupants were though, he worried. The little colt hopped up on top of a large stone and there he sat and just stared at Pip who by now was quite confused as to why they had stopped. That was all answered quickly enough though by a commanding voice.
"Away from them Night." said a new voice. The little colts ears went down and he at once darted into the nearest home and vanished. Pip was looking all around for the creator of the voice, as were Nixx and Radko. There was a clattering of hooves on stone as someone began walking towards them. Pip waited with baited breath as the hoof beats grew nearer. Within seconds another Draquus appeared. This one much larger and in armor.

At once they all drew their weapons, no sooner had they done so than from all around them there came the sound of beating wings, not the sound of wings like a Pegasus either. It was the unmistakable sound of the wings of many Draquus. The bright sky was dotted with darkness as countless Draquus poured into the clearing, surrounding them in seconds. They were circled in by a crowd of them. Each one of them had their wings open so it felt like the trio was encased in a leathery cage of wings. There they stood with weapons drawn, the Draquus surrounding them didn't move in, in fact they all stood quite still. Until as one a spot of wings opened up and the Draquus they'd first seen walked in among them, circling carefully around them, the wall of wings sealed once more.

Finally after a few rotations it stopped and stood before them glowering at each one of them. "Who are you? How did you find us?" she said, for once it spoke they realized indeed it was female.

"Who are we? I think the better question is who are you? Up until....well, recently, we've been fighting your kind tooth and hoof." Nixx said through gritted teeth.

"Fighting you say? We have done no fighting strangers. We remain here, hidden from all who seek us. It is better that way, but now it seems as though we've been found. You should leave this place soon. Otherwise we will kill you. Unpleasant yes, but necessary to maintain our own safety if you understand." The female said, waiting for a response.

"You think it would be so simple, try me." Radko said in plain confidence.
There was a deep grumble of displeasure from all around. The circle closed in tighter.

"Your words displease us. If we are forced then we shall indeed....dispose...of you." she said in response.

"The only one doing the forcing so far is you." Nixx mumbled back.

"Quiet, both of you, you're not helping." Pip sniped back at them.

The Draquus female's eyes locked onto Pip. Her cold stare very clear and focused.
"You speak as a leader. Unlike your fellows. Tell me, why should I should spare your clan." she said.

Pip stared back as best he could, her gaze hard to hold from the sheer force of will she possessed.

Pip lowered his sword and thought for a moment before speaking, "To be honest, we've been fighting the likes of your kind for many longs days now. Your kinds has proven to be brutal and harsh. Forgive us for our standoffish attitude towards you all, but the things we've seen from your kinds deserves no less. Why you would choose to spare us, I cannot say, nor do I understand. But if you are so keen as it would seem to be done with us...." He left the speech hanging. There was a long silence that followed. It was broken suddenly by the scraping of little hooves upon stone.

Pip noticed at once the little colt that had led them there squeeze his way unceremoniously through the legs of the many adult Draquus that surrounded them. With a great deal of struggle he tripped his way into the area where Pip and the others stood. Upon reaching Pip he made a pointed little scurry and effectively wormed his way under Pip where he promptly lay down and stared back at the female. Pip was at a loss as what to do.

"Out of here colt." the female said sternly.

The little colt made no move but to pull his wings in tighter to his sides and continue staring back.

This time the female made a move forward towards Pip and the little Draquus colt as if to force him out. Pip at once lifted his weapon once more, Radko and Nixx moved closer at once as well. Their safety was important, by they were not about to let even a Draquus child come to harm.

The female halted in her tracks. She stepped back , staring at them with contempt. She gave one more withering glare to the young colt and then promptly exited the cage of wings. Once out the other Draquus began to fold their wings back in and leave.

Soon it was only the three of them and the little colt the rest of the Draquus, as strange as it seemed now to him all went to and fro about the square as any town would do so on an average day. It was almost unsettling to see them in this manner.

They slowly sheathed their weapons then stood around looking at the scene before them. The town was becoming less of a ruinous ghost town and more of an actual town. There were shops opening up, some Draquus were trotting about completing their daily routines much like any other town. How all this had been made here Pip could only wonder. He looked down at the little colt still firmly planted between his front legs. The youngster looked up at him and smiled before scooting out and standing next to Pip.

Pip didn't know quite what to do from here, the Draquus walked about the town, paying no mind to them. After a time there was finally a cleared throat from behind them. Pip turned to see the same female Draquus from earlier standing before them.

"Please, come with me." She said and turned to walk.

Pip looked at the others and then reluctantly followed her, the little colt tailing close behind him. They walked through a few streets before coming into a garden. The flowers and trees, for there were in fact trees in the ruined city, stood out in stark contrast with the rest of the town. Here they stopped and the Female Draquus addressed them.

"I must apologize for my harsh address. You must understand that our lives here have remained a secret for a long time, we do all we can to keep it that way. I did not meat to come off as harsh, for that is not true of any of us in the least. We remain here for good reason, many who encounter us dislike us and see us as evil. We have suffered greatly at the hands of many. Until we found this place. So please forgive me, I must be harsh to our own safety. Don't doubt though, I would have killed you all if I felt it needed done." She said.

Pip was a bit confused at this address but he quickly responded. "What stopped you then?"

At this the Draquus looked away from him and too the little colt who still stood close to Pip's side, "He did."

Pip looked at the youngster then back to the female, "How so?"

"I'm unaware of how much you may know, if anything, about what we are, or were. Or where we came from...." she began, but here Pip interrupted her.

"You are a Draquus, at least now, after the fall of your empire. I know more than you might think I do." he said.

It was the females turn to look shocked, and so she did.
"So you have heard our story? Tell me, where were you taught this? Does the world know of us now?" She asked with interest.

"No, but they are learning quickly enough. And I can't say that what they are learning is good." He replied.

"Tell me." she said simply.

Pip and the others looked to one another wondering if this should be done, but then Pip at once settled down upon the soft grass and began to recount the story of what had happened in the previous weeks, the female listening intently the whole time.

Once finished she was quite, a great deal of time had passed in the telling but he could see at once she was glad to hear it, but haunted by it at the same time.

"So the Guardians were, and still could be alive. Amazing. I didn't think so many had survived. But to hear of what the others have become, and what they are doing to your nation is saddening and worrisome. I am sorry that this is happening to your kin and country. I want to make clear to you though that the Draquus you are encountering are not of our own crumbled nation. Yes they are also now Draquus like us, but before we were all changed my country, as you know was powerful, and with all power comes great enemies. Ours were turned into what we all are now first, that power, and their numbers is what caused our fall. They are a vicious, warring faction themselves and always have been. I am sorry that they are here." She responded.

They were all quiet for a short time, Pip was keenly aware of the little colt that was now soundly asleep, curled up next to Pips side. What exactly this young ones reason for staying so close to Pip was beyond his own understanding. The female looked at the young one, she for a moment smiled, her ivory white fangs showing as well, but her smile was quickly replaced by a sad expression.

"He seems to have taken a liking to you." she said quietly, addressing Pip.

"I have no knowledge why." Pip said, "He has not said but one word since first we found him."

"Excuse me for saying, but was it not him that found you?" She said.

"I suppose so. Though I do not even know his name. Shouldn't he be back home with his parents? Surely they worry of his absence." Pip said in concern.

At this the mares face shadowed in sadness once more. "He has no home. Nor parents to go to. Like so many of the young ones he is an orphan. We lost more than just our country those many years ago." she said quietly, her eyes focusing on a time past. "His name though is Night Spark. His parents were both Guardians, he was just a newborn when they were slain in the fall, someone saved him though, and here he has remained with us. The orphans here keep mostly to themselves. They are young, yes, but they are strong and look out for each-other. Mostly..."

"What do you mean mostly?" Pip asked.

"Well, he is different. He tends to remain on his own, secluded from the others. They don't bother him, nor he them, but even so they for some reason leave him to his own devices." She responded.

"So he's a bit of an outcast." Nixx piped in.

"Yes, so it would seem." the mare answered. "But it would seem for the first time in a long time he has found somepony he likes.

"So it would seem." Pip said.

They talked for a short time longer before the mare informed them they could stay for the night if they so wished. And so with a bit of help from Nixx Pip stood up and gave himself a shake. Once ready Nixx levitated the sleeping colt and set him on Pips back gently. Pip had decided that it wouldn't hurt to keep an eye on the youngster for the time being. They walked back to the quarters that had been prepared for them, the little colt fast asleep aboard Pips back, his little wings drooping down each side in his slumber.

Nix sent a quick message back to the ship to ensure the crew all was well and that they'd be gone for the evening but to return in the morning to continue the mission at hand.

They each had a room in a small building, sparsely decorated to accommodate for the night, Nixx unloaded the slumbering colt and lay him on a bed nearby, before retiring to his own room. Radko had at once went to his room and could promptly be heard snoring. Pip looked at the strange little youngster beside his own bed and wondered just what had made him call out to them.

He himself lay down heavily upon his own prepared bed, it was not uncomfortable in the least and soon Pip fell into a dreamless sleep of utter exhaustion.

Nightspark

They stood now back in the clearing, Nixx, Radko, Pip, and little Nightspark, the Draquus colt that had attached himself to Pip, who earlier had been awoken in the morning to find the colt curled tightly next to him with one wing draped over his side. The previous day had been truly something that shocked all their senses. They had stumbled out of the seemingly endless mist they'd been stuck in and happened upon what they had thought were just ancient shadows and rocks. But hidden deep within the ruins they had discovered an entire city built in the remains of the once great city that stood at the heart of the Eternity Bridge.

This small, hidden community was not made up of Pegasai, or Earth Ponies, rather it was home to a small faction of Draquus, the once proud race of Unicorns that from some cataclysmic destruction of their nation had transformed them into the dragon winged, fang sporting, blue coated creatures they now were. They were the same in appearance to the Draquus that were plaguing the Equestrian Empire. The marked difference though between these Draquus and the ones they'd been fighting was simple though, they were peaceful, as strange as it had seemed at first to them. But since landing upon this hidden land their knowledge of them was wholly flipped on its head.

They had been kind, given them a safe place to rest, fed them, and given them more story as to the plight of their people. Even now they were proving more good than evil as they once had thought. Their group stood near the winding path back up to the coast, the Draquus mare that had done all the speaking since their arrival now stood before them to see them off.

"I wish you and yours luck with your fight against the others. I hope that you and your kingdom can cast them and their darkness out of this world. Take this, it will help you escape the mist." She said, stepping up to Nixx. She handed him a chart which Nixx quietly thanked her for and set to studying right away, committing it to memory.

"All I ask is that once out of the mist you dispose of this chart, it would be best if we remained hidden until the darkness of the others is purged." She spoke with authority, but with a touch of plea in her voice.

"We shall do that, it's the least we can do in return for the kindness you have shown us." Pip Replied.

"Thank you." She said simply.

"What though should I do about him?" Pip asked her, as they watched the little colt gliding about above them.

"He has no family here, or anywhere. But he seems to have found a family with you." She said pointedly, looking at Pip,

"You should take him with you, away from this place, I don't think you would have an easy time of leaving him behind to be honest."

Pip was dumbstruck. Sure the colt seemed to like Pip but he for one could not believe the colt would leave his home so willingly.

"I'm not sure he would go willingly. I mean this is his home after all." Pip stated.

"His true home is not a place. Nor is it yours. He has found a home with you already, I can see that much. He is happy. By far more happy than I have seen him these long years. I am not so much asking you to take him with you. No, more truthfully I am asking you not to leave him. He has lost so many already, it is due time he had a family to care for him like he needs." The mare responded.

The sincerity in her voice hit Pip heavily, it seemed she truly did care about the well being of the orphan.

Pip thought for a moment before he answered, "Then I shall take him."

"I'm am glad to hear that you will. He shall do well with you I think. Keep him safe, as if he were your own." She replied, and without further speech she turned and disappeared into the city, leaving the group to begin the climb back up, back to the Bonnie Lass.

Pip walked in silence up the trail, Radko the only one competing with him on who could be more quiet. Nixx on the other hand was walking with multiple pages levitated around him reading each one carefully and mumbling to himself. With Nixx keeping up the back of the troop in his studies Pip and Radko held the front, Nightspark still flitting and playing on the winds above them.

They made good time and soon were back to the shore where they had left the canoe. Pip at once froze, the lack of what he saw was greatly disturbing. Nixx halted just behind him and Radko, also staring at the emptiness. Nixx looked back at the book he had found with a wary eye, shuffling the papers and carefully placing them back in the book before, surprisingly, setting the book on the ground and edging into the canoe, much shaken; for the skeleton he had carefully moved to free the book was nowhere to be found. As if it had never been there. Pip and Radko clambered on board and prepared the boat to leave, headed back to the Bonnie Lass just behind them.

Nightspark had landed on shore and now watched them sadly as they prepared the canoe. Pip noticed him and stopped his preparations, his mind flipping end over end about what to do with the youngster. A moment passed, Nixx staring at him curiously. Radko paying no mind. Finally after some internal debate, Pip scooted over and clacked a hoof on the bench beside him. At once the little colt jumped into the boat next to Pip with a beaming smile. As they rowed back to the Bonnie Lass Nightspark didn't once look back. Pip, however did and what he saw put ice in his stomach.

It was just a passing, lucky spot. But one he would remember forever. As they pulled towards the Bonnie Lass Pip glanced back over his shoulder at the shore, just in time to see another pony. Its visage struck a fear into Pip he'd not felt in years. It's body, if you could call it that, was all but a skeleton, not an inch of flesh remained. The bones bleached white, a tattered, deep crimson robe hung loosely over its body, every bone it covered stood out in relief against the fabric. The pony looked up at Pip, where eyes should have been were just two orbs of bluish fire that burned straight into him. One of the flames went out for just a moment in what could only resemble a wink. Pip had been starring in frightened fascination; his eyes, he was suddenly aware, burned with dryness. He forced himself to blink but upon opening his eyes again he was once again shocked. The skeletal figure had vanished without any trace but a scrap of crimson slowly floating down to the ground.

Pip kept looking on in mute amazement. What he had seen he was unsure. The others seemed not to have noticed at all. It was then he was aware of the shaking little colt beside him. The youngster had his face buried in Pips side, shaking in fear. Pip was confused for a moment but then realized at once he had not been the only one that had seen the creature. Nightspark had looked over as well to see what Pip had been staring at so intensely. Pip wrapped a foreleg around the shaking youngster and pulled him closer, the colt stopped shaking quickly and just stayed still until they reached the Bonnie Lass, face buried in Pips side the whole trip.

They reached the Bonnie Lass quickly in their haste to continue their appointed quest. Many of the crew were out on deck going about their business as normal when they came aboard. They were greeted warmly at first but then a ripple of shocked surprise and fear rolled through the crew as little Nightspark clambered on deck after them. There was silence, many crew members stared at the colt, who stood close to Pip, a bit startled.

Quix was the first to speak however, he was kind to any youngster he met, Pip knew as much, "Well who might you be?" He said in good humor. The little colt edged closer to Pip, hiding behind his legs shyly.

"Seems like he is a bit shy. Certainly taken a shine to you captain!" Quix said in good humor.

"Yes, so it would seem. He's barely left my side since we landed on that island. I didn't know what else to do. Even the others there said I should take him with me." Pip replied.

"The others? If he is what I think he is, and mind you I don't think I'm wrong in guessing, but he is indeed a Draquus is he not?" Quix queried.

Pip stood quietly for a moment before replying. "Yes, you are right. He is indeed a Draquus." Pip stated as he watched the crews reaction.

Many of the crew whispered about each other, all of them glared at the little colt. "If there are Draquus here, should we not burn them out?" Called one crewmember from the crowd.

"Yeah, they've done horrible things to our fellow pony folk. Why should we cut them a deal! Their monsters!" Another voice chimed in.

"What makes that one so special that we should harbor him?" Yet another voice piped in.

This was what Pip had feared would come of the little colts presence on board. But it was a fear he had also expected, to think some of the crew would not object would be folly. So without further delay Pip at once set about recounting the previous day and nights events.

After he finished many of the crew returned to their duties, much of the abject fear originally produced upon the colts appearance abated. Some in understanding, more in confusion and a few in carelessness. Many of the later were the older crew that had sailed long with Pip and the Bonnie Lass, they trusted his judgment. It was the newer ones that Pip was worried about on behalf of Nightspark.

One crewmember stopped on his way below deck. He was a newer, young fellow named Locker. They called him that on account that if they were looking for something he always seemed to have it in some chest he kept by his bed. Locker knelt down in front of Pip and greeted the little colt, who just hid his face more. Locker produced a wrapped piece of candy from a pouch on his side and held it by magic out in front of Nightsparks one glaring ruby eye. The colt just watched, making no move to accept the treat. Locker just gave a little chuckle and set the candy down on the floor in front of Pip and Nightspark. He stood, nodded to Pip and proceeded below deck. Nightspark watched him carefully as he vanished below. His gaze turned back to the candy on the deck, carefully he edged out from behind Pips legs and sidled up to the treat. Nightspark looked at it intently and a few sparks of magic gleamed around the colts horn, the candy budged slightly but did nothing more.

Nightspark at once slumped down, defeated. Pip remembered the Guardians from Gallopfrey. Particularly Quillweave. Like all Draquus, they were unicorns first, Quillweave had said. He had also said that they had once all been powerful with magic. But once transformed into their new forms they'd found magic very difficult, in some cases impossible, to utilize any more. Pip remembered when the Guardian had teleported down to their floor, it had almost caused him to go unconscious from the strain. Then later in their charge on the docks it had taken all of them together to cast spells that at one time a single one of them could have done. Their ability to do so even together had taken years to relearn and even more to execute. Pip realized at once that little Nightspark was no different, suffering from the very same stunted magic.

There sat the little colt, sadness plastered his face at the prospect he couldn't use his magic to open a simple treat. He could have managed to open it normally but seemed to down trodden to try. So he just stared at the candy as if willing to open of its own accord. He tried once more with magic but failed again.

Then a different magic levitated the candy and slowly unwrapped it. Nightspark watched in confusion as the unwrapped candy floated just above his nose, making him go cross-eyed. After a moment he backed up a bit and focused on the treat then jumped at it, mouth open. The bubble popped on his nose and he caught the morsel in his mouth. The colt trotted in a little circle, a little bulge in one cheek as he happily savored the candy. He stopped as another bubble caught his vision. He froze, just watching. Then another floated closer to his side. He moved slowly away from it. Then more bubbles appeared around him. He turned in a little circle. Then he stopped face to face with the maker. Dinky sat looking at him with a warm smile. The suddenness of her appearance startled him and he darted back under Pips legs. Dinky gave a warm laugh and stood back up.

She walked to Pip and nuzzled him affectionately, happy that he was back. She stood with her head against his shoulder for a moment before speaking. Little Nightspark watched her closely. His big eyes studying her every move. "So, where did you find this little one? He seems awfully attached to you, like Quix said. I'm sure his family is looking for him." She said.

Pip sighed heavily. He looked past her to the ruins they were now sailing away from. "Oh, I see." Dinky responded quietly. She was quick, that was for sure. "Well he seems to like you for sure. Shy too. I think he's lovely though. Just couldn't wait for your own could you?" She said in a humorous tone.

"Not quite my dear. See since we arrived on shore, and he found us this little one has hardly left my side since I got there. I don't know why, but I promised the mare in charge of the town that I would look after him. He lived a lonely life there. She wanted him to have a better chance and saw it in us. So now he is here." Pip replied.

"Well, I don't mind one bit, we'll raise him as our own. It'll be good for him, and for you, for when we have his brother or sister someday after all this." Dinky said as she trotted back to the helm to take over, swishing her tail under his chin flirtatiously as she left him in a stupor.

"I like her." Nightspark said.

The fact that he had spoken shocked Pip clear of his stupor. He looked down at the little colt who still had the candy in his cheek and smiling his fanged smile back up at Pip. "I do too little one." Pip said.

"Is she your mommy?" Nightspark asked. Anymore shock and Pip would likely fall over. But he answered the youngster.

"No, she's not my mom Night. She is my wife." Pip responded.

"Wife? I don't know what that is but she is nice to me." Nightspark said happily.

Pip slowly walked towards an abandoned part of the deck, little Nightspark followed him closely, quiet once more. Once Pip was sure they were at least secluded from the gaggle of the working crew he sat down and looked at the little colt, who just looked right back at him.

"Night." Pip paused, unsure of how to continue. "I know you don't understand some things. And I know you don't have a....family...." He started. The little colt shuttered a little and a sadness overtook his face.

"But, if you would like it you can have a new family." Pip said quickly as he saw the tears welling in the youngsters eyes.
Nightspark looked up a little and said in his small voice, "I can?"

"You can. It's your choice buddy. You like her? Her name is Dinky, she is my wife." He said pointing at Dinky who now stood at the helm, steering under guidance from Nixx with his new charts. "She can be your mother if you want." Pip finished.

The little colt looked at Dinky, then back at Pip then back and forth once more. His little face screwing up with thoughts for a moment before smoothing out into a smile. "I would like that a lot." He said with a smile. "So does that mean you would be my daddy?" He said curiously, "I would like that too if that's ok."

Pip sat there for a moment as he realized he was becoming a father to this strange little colt. The idea scared him a little, but he felt a sense of responsibility for the little orphan now. He replied to the little colt who sat waiting for a reply. "Yup, I'll be your father if that's what you want." He said.

The little colt smiled a big grin, even his fangs couldn't blemish the happiness that seemed to radiate from the little colt. He hopped and trotted little circles around Pip giggling happily at knowing he finally had his own mom and dad once more. Nightspark gave a quick trot and then gave a few powerful strokes with his little wings and was airborne, flying around the Bonnie Lass laughing happily as he did. Even some of the crew shared his laughter, not knowing why but it was contagious. He ended by landing on the deck and walking slowly up to Dinky who still steered at the helm. She peered down at him for a moment. "Can I help you little one?" she asked warmly.

Night looked back to Pip as if for permission. Pip nodded his head. Night looked back up to Dinky and with his little voice said, "He said you could be my new mommy, is that ok?" Dinky laughed a happy laugh and answered the little colt, "If that is what you want then yes." Nightspark giggled and ran back down to hide behind Pip. By this point most of the crew had stopped and were watching his antics. Many of the ones that had questioned the logic behind having him on board were now smiling and laughing as well.

Shortly after the little show Pip found the youngster sprawled out on a pile of ropes fast asleep. It was late after all and a lot had happened that day. Nightspark must have been exhausted. Pip didn't want to leave him outside, as it was a bit chilly. But he didn't want to move him either for fear of waking him. His dilemma was solved shortly though. A magical cushion lifted him carefully from his bed of ropes and he floated forward as Dinky approached Pip.

She leaned on him a bit before saying, "Mommy huh?"

Pips blushed a bit, "Yeah, he likes you."

"Guess that would make you dad then?" She said in good humor

"Indeed it does, he made sure of that." Pip said.

"I am happy." Dinky said simply.

"That's good to hear love." Pip replied before he kissed her.

Dinky walked towards their own room, the little colt levitated before her.

She brushed her tail past Pips nose. He followed her inside for the evening.

They had set up a separate room within theirs for the youngster. Here Dinky set him carefully in his own bed, a makeshift hammock with some sailcloth for cushioning. The little colt didn't so much as budge, so fast asleep he was.

Dinky drew the curtains around him to dim the light coming through from the candle in their room. She then trotted over to Pip who was sitting on the edge of the bed. Nuzzling closely to him she kissed him passionately, moving forward, forcing him gently onto his back. "What do you say we try for a brother or sister?" She said in an aroused voice.

"So soon? We just had this one." Pip said in humor.

"Ok, well maybe not right now. But I still would like a piece of you darling. It's been lonely around here without you." Dinky said, now breathing heavily as they became fully involved in their lovemaking.

Author's Note

Enjoyed writing this little tidbit. Came to me while I was at work. I think little Nightspark will be a good addition to the story. I like him and enjoyed writing his character. Tell me what you think! More coming soon!

Back at Sea

Two days had passed in the intervening time after their departure from the hidden city. Still they sailed through mist, slowly crawling their way through the ruins of the Eternities Crossing bridge. The unrest and doubt of the crew that had set in before their discovery had all but gone. Something had changed in the past two days. They were getting close to the edge of the mist, they could feel it as much as see it. The stillness that was a marked trait of the area was vanishing; waves were showing once more upon the water, small ripples in the endless stillness. The wind which had all but died the closer to the center they had gotten, was now gentle, tousling their manes ever to lightly. All signs that they were closer to escaping the oppressive mist that pervaded in the area.

Although while many were happy about this the sluggish cantor of the crew could not be broken. Many of them still went about their work slowly, well done as ever, but slow. Those in charge did their best to spur them into motion better but the doldrums of the days stuck in silence were still ever-present. The only crew member that showed any high spirits and excess of energy was that of little Nightspark, Pips unplanned-yet-officially adopted son. The colt in the couple of days since joining them, had been energetically learning about every part of the ship and ship life. He was proving to be a quick learner indeed. Even now he was listening intently to Nixx explain the maps and charts they used to navigate the seas, absorbing it like a sponge. He was quiet as ever though, rarely speaking to anyone but Pip, and recently Dinky.

The little colts antics and learning kept the crew in better spirits as well, as they found it humorous to see the youngster flitting from place to place during the day. It was good to see the spirits of the crew lifted. Anymore at meals the crew was a little more lively, and more importantly, there were no more doubt filled questions and stretching silences. They were almost back to normal.

That normalcy was broken near the middle of the day though. After some hours of sailing with nothing but the sound of wind and small waves a new sound suddenly crashed into their eardrums, and it wasn't one any of them had expected.

The crew was going about their practice routines when suddenly there was a great angry explosion that ripped across the water. At first the gun crew looked at one another thinking someone must have actually loaded one of the guns and then set it off, but upon quick inspection all the cannons were found to be empty. Confusion settled in for just a split second. Then more angry crashing of gunfire assailed their ears from forward. Unmistakable. Then it was as if the whole world popped into existence once more. First the bow spirit and prow broke into open air, followed closely by the rest of the Bonnie Lass. At last they had found their way out of the fog. What they came out to was not a warm welcome in the least. There before them not more than a minute or two of sailing in the favorable wind were 5 ships going at it full bore. The sound of the guns and shouting crews carried over the water in violent bouts. Two of the ships Pip noticed were Equestrian Royal Navy vessels, the others, were haunting images of their quarry. Three Draquus ships harried the two Equestrian naval vessels. They were holding their own, but the battle was turning unfavorable quickly.

At first the crew had been excited to finally escape the mist, then they had froze at the scene before them. But only for a second before commands were being thrown across the ship to prepare for battle. Pip noticed movement at the chart table beside him. Nixx had gathered the map and charts they had been given and at once levitated them over the side of the ship. He took one last study of the charts and before anyone could protest he used his magic to shred the charts and then the shreds promptly burst into flames, the ashes of the map and charts vanished in the sudden wind. The only place their information resided now was in the Techs mind.

Their luck held as they approached the fighting ships, they were as yet unnoticed by either the crews of the Equestrian Navy, nor by those of the Draquus warships. Radko at once had risen their flags so that when they were spotted they were at once identified as part of the Equestrian Navy and not as more Draquus, or rouges bent on helping the winning side. Pip shouted over to little Nightspark whom now stood bolt upright, quivering in fear at this new sight, "Get to the cabin and stay there till it's over! Nixx! make sure he gets there; now go!" he yelled.

Nixx ushered the little colt forward quickly and soon had him locked in Pips quarters. The rest of the crew had begun their preparations for battle. Pip was at once glad to see that even with all the time spent lost in the mist they still held their skills with the guns. Already they were loaded and ready for action, even the Blaze Cannons had been fresh loaded, their crews had their goggles in place ready for action.

The Bonnie Lass came up fast on the fight, they moved to the other side of the Draquus ship closest to them. As they made their move the first shouts of recognition sounded from one of the Equestrian Naval Ships. By this point their sudden approach was now noted and the crew of the ship they pulled up to quickly was made aware for their presence. But even so it was far too late for any quick response. The Draquus ship was caught between the Bonnie Lass and the other Equestrian ship. They fired at the same time from both sides. The cannons thundered down the length of the Bonnie Lass, shortly after they spoke the blaze guns followed suit. The roaring flames leapt from the guns in angry red torrents. Steam rose from the churning sea below them from the heat of the fire. The Draquus ship was caught completely from both guns and both ships, the damage was catastrophic. Fire tore through the exposed holes that were blasted through the hull by the cannons. The top deck itself was an inferno as well. Wood, Barrels, and crew alike were set aflame by the angry gouts of fire. Screams of pain and splashes could be heard as the crew unlucky enough to be caught up in it burned alive or dove into the sea in hopes of dousing the fire. The smell of burnt wood and rope was drown out only by that of burnt flesh and singed hair.

The cannons tore into the ship's hull once more as they passed by. Large holes now gaped in the sides of the ship. Entire decks below could be seen awash with blood and fire. She was taking on water quickly, many of the crew were either dead or dying. They were close enough to see the effects of the two broadsides from both his ship and their ally on the other side. Pip at once recognized the work of the other ships guns. The first volley from them must have been used to break holes only in the hull, for there was no doubt as to the makeup of the second volley. Canister shot. Everything within the affected deck was shredded, wood, guns, and bodies alike. It was a gruesome scene to behold but it had gotten the job done well. In the few minutes it had taken to see this already the ship was up to its top level gun ports in water, sinking quickly. Soon they watched as it's deck vanished below the churning sea forever.

The rotating gun at the front of the Bonnie Lass had not stopped here though. Its design allowed for a longer range and it used this to its best effect. Peppering the next ships side with solid shot and explosive shot. Already they could see holes being punched in the sides of the ship, small ones, but its rate of fire made up for that in the sheer amount of hits the well trained gunners landed. The tides had turned in the fight quickly and now the two remaining Draquus ships were on the defense.

The Bonnie Lass moved in closer to the next ship, the rotating gun on her deck firing steadily all the while. They were joined by the same ship that had helped them sink the last Draquus vessel. She was a larger ship than the Bonnie Lass by another whole level. Together the two ships sailed forward, gaining with every moment towards the larger of the three Draquus craft. As they closed in both of them moved to either side, bent on repeating the same maneuver that had worked on the last vessel.

This time the Draquus were ready, although still taking a beating from the forward gun of the Bonnie Lass. They turned sharply, preventing the Bonnie Lass and her sister ship from closing in on both sides. The large ship was now turning sharply towards the Bonnie Lass, an impact between the two ships would not fare well for Pips crew. There was a sudden lurch that sent many of the crew stumbling, some falling completely, the shot from the front cannon strayed wide as the Bonnie Lass was pushed to her limits in an attempt to match the turn of the other ship.

The beams groaned under the force of the turn, the rigging above was pulled tight against the strain. There was a resounding snap as one of the cables gave way under the stress and went snapping into the sky. The Deck skewed sharply up, many of the more experienced crew were able to keep their hoofing, Pip himself among those who still stood, but even with the experience the turn was almost too much. It seemed to last for minutes, then all of a sudden the deck began to level out quickly, random loose items, and some crew, went sliding across the deck as it leveled out. The rigging above groaned and moved to the other end sharply, no cables snapped this time.

The Bonnie Lass was now sailing next to the Draquus vessel, here the experience of both crews showed. In the intervening moments that both ships leveled out and the crews gained their feet there was a moment of quiet as both gained their decks as fast as possible. Luckily it was the Bonnie Lass that fired first, They were nearly point blank with the other ships gun deck when they opened fire. The guns roared sending a shudder along the side of the Bonnie Lass. Holes were ripped into the Draquus vessel, another volley from her guns came shortly after, the Draquus as yet had failed to return fire. The two ships sailed neck and neck, the Bonnie Lass raking the side of the other ship over and over. Finally after the third volley the Draquus returned fire. It was not a full broadside as it should have been, thankfully, yet damage was done none-the-less. Pip could hear the sounds of splintering wood below, could feel the shuddering of impacts through his hooves the smell of blood rising quickly with the smoke and dust.

One crew member on the top deck was hit in the fire as well, Pip watched shocked and sad as the gunman took a direct hit from a cannon ball and was blasted from the ship into the sea, broken and torn. The crew however continued their work, the guns roared again, strafing the gun deck that had just fired. The wood shattering under the newest round of cannon-fire from the Bonnie Lass. One of the two Blaze Cannons on that side also opened up, spraying its burning munitions in through the holes of both cannon balls and gun-ports. Flames roiled inside the ship now, crew screaming as they burned alive. The Draquus ship turned away sharply from the Bonnie Lass trying to escape but instead it was met with the other ship that had tried to move in earlier. There was a resounding crash as the two ships collided with one another. The Draquus ship turning so sharply so suddenly had surprised the other Equestrian ship which was not as quick moving or as fleet as the Bonnie Lass and had been unable to move in time.

The two ships ground into one another, the Draquus ship tried to move away but the sheer force of the impact had entangled her rigging with the Equestrian ship and now they were held fast together. The fires below deck were being extinguished quickly as possible but before they were wholly put out the Equestrian vessel unleashed its entire facing guns on the deck at point blank range. The cannonballs hammered through the deck, blasting holes and continuing out of the Draquus ships other side from sheer force. The solid shot had been accompanied with canister rounds as well, the resulting impact at so close a distance proved disastrous for the crew of the Draquus ship. Many crewmembers that had been on the deck when the guns went off were wholly blasted apart by the canister rounds. A fine red mist was forced out the holes in the other side as the cannonballs tore through. It was a gruesome scene to behold.

The Equestrian ship raked the deck of the Draquus vessel with more canister rounds, effectively clearing the deck of almost all opposition. The floor was awash with the blood of the crew making it slick. This didn't stop the next phase though. Pip watched in triumph as the boarding crew swarmed unhindered onto the deck of the Draquus vessel, cutting down any survivors that so much as lifted a sword. Soon the captain himself at the wheel abandoned his post and lifted his own sword to join the fray, before he could do so much as charge down the stairs though he was shot clean through by a sharpshooter from the deck of the Equestrian ship, he fell dead where he had stood. The ship was taken as a prize, the remaining battered crew were lined up on the deck and chained for holding.

Before they had the prisoners locked away, Pip looked to the third and final ship as it squared off with the other Equestrian vessel. Already she was sitting low in the water, the Equestrian ship had dished out a thorough beating and continued to hammer the Draquus ship with volley after volley. The last ship was making its final stand, unwilling to surrender, even with their lack of remaining cannons. There was another full shot into her side, this one was soon followed by a thunderous explosion. A great fireball erupted out the sides of the Draquus ship. The munitions had been set off.

The resulting explosion was massive, the Equestrian ship was making haste away when it went off. Another great explosion ripped the ship in half, and it vanished beneath the waves in seconds, leaving behind a flotilla of broken wood and shattered bodies.

The remaining crew of Draquus were promptly taken below and locked up. What they would do with them once back to port was unclear, they were both an enemy, and an oddity. Even many of the crew were unsure of what to think of them, regardless of their exposure to little Nightspark who was himself a Draquus. The thought jarred Pip from his though and he made haste to his cabin to check on the youngster.

Inside he found most of the things in the room had been tossed about in the melee. Nightspark was nowhere to be seen though. Pip looked high and low as worry began to settle in. Before he could really panic though there was a shuffling to his right, Pip looked over and caught a glimpse of the little colts hooves. He was hiding beneath the bed. Pip knelt down and was greeted by a shaking colt who promptly reached out and latched onto Pips neck. Pip pulled him out and set him down, sitting next to him for a moment. Nightspark was scared out of his wits but sitting in the quiet room next to Pip he started to calm down. A shuffle drew Pips attention and he looked to the doorway. Dinky had come in looking for Nightspark as well. She sat down on the other side of the colt, the two of them creating a comforting encirclement about the little colt. Dinky did her best to sooth his fears, nibbling on his wings and humming a little tune. Being the daughter of a Pegasus Dinky had learned how to preen wings as second nature, granted Nightsparks wings were mostly devoid of feathers but they were covered in a very fine velvet along their leading edges and the imitation of preening seemed to calm him down well enough.

Dinky winked at Pip and then nodded her head towards the deck outside, her meaning clear. She would stay with Nightspark, he had business to attend to with the other Captains.

Shortly the three Equestrian naval vessels had promptly joined together, allowing the Captain of each vessel to meet with one another. They all agreed on boarding the Bonnie Lass, as they were the newcomers in the area.

In their impromptu meeting room below decks the Three Captains spoke in detail of the recent events. Pip himself did most of the listening as the other two spoke at great lengths of events leading up to their fight and the Bonnie Lasses sudden return. It was apparent that in their absence things had grown worse with the Draquus. More sightings, more fighting and more lost ships.

Skirmishing had become a regular occurrence in Equestrian seas, a few ships had even been lost. Not sunk, but vanished as the captains put it. Some though had been recovered miles from where they should have been. The recounting of their recoveries were as grim as Pips own findings...

News had traveled fast on the last harbor attack and the role the Bonnie Lass had played in drawing the Draquus Flagship away. Many sailors had speculated that the Bonnie Lass had been lost at sea. Many unwilling to believe that they'd willingly sailed into the mist that surrounded the ruins of the great Eternity Bridge. The pressed for a recount of their time spent lost, Pip willingly obliged the two, though leaving out some detail.

"So what is our next move?" One of them asked.

This surprised Pip and he responded in kind, "Have no other ships found medallions?" he queried.

The two captains looked at him with blank expressions.

"Wait here." Pip said as he rushed to find Nixx.

The Tech ambled along with his findings, charts, and most importantly, the Medallions. They made their way quickly back to the meeting room. Once arrived Nixx unceremoniously dumped the charts and graphs upon the table where he spilled into a detailed description of the information they had gathered. Pip, after a moment of watching the confusion deepening, gently interrupted.

"Nixx, the medallions. Show them the Medallions, and the map." He said gently. The tech stopped, reorganized the map, and brought forth the medals. He set them down, pressing their corresponding corners together for the captains to view. Then instead of explaining he sat back and let them study the clues themselves.
The tow leaned forward and stared at the map and medallions for a few minutes.

"Bad Wolf Bay." They said almost in Unison, concern in their voices.

"You know of it then." Nixx prodded.

"Know of it. Yes." one replied, "It's a mountainous Island, pock marked with caves and tunnels, it even has its own shipyard. Though it's been long abandoned."

"But that would also explain the smoke."

"And the ships." They said almost right after each other.

"Smoke?" Pip asked.

"Yes, smoke. Ever since our first encounters with these....Draquus as you call them....There has been a steady billowing smoke reported about the island by the few ships that dared get close, what with those two behemoths patrolling the waters there." The second captain said.

"Ships? What do they look like?" Nixx dug deeper.

"Giant, by all reports. Much larger than any one of the three sitting here." The other Captain replied, "You must know yourselves after the stories I've heard."

"Yes, but we only thought there was one." Pip trailed off.

"Well we know there are two by all accounts, both equally large and equally strange in their build. Any ships that have neared the waters around Bad Wolf Bay have never been heard from. The ones that do survive have stayed on the edge of the area, not daring to enter." Replied the first.

"I think it's apparent what we must do. We need to gather support from the admiralty and the first fleet. Go and clear out that Island, rid ourselves of these Draquus for good. I just hope the Admirals will listen." The other said skeptically.

"Oh, I'm sure they will. We had our run in with them just before we got lost in the mist. Needless to say, in the attack of Stableside we happened to be meeting with one of the Admirals, the only one that would meet with us, that is. But besides that, I think he got word through after he got a first-hoof taste of the truth behind the attacks. We shouldn't have a problem with gaining the help of the first fleet." Pip responded, looking pointedly at NIxx.

They adjourned the meeting, quickly returning to their respective ships. A new gathering point was decided upon, it was an old Naval Yard, still kept in operation in case of need. The small island it occupied was roughly a full day of sailing with favorable wind from their current position. Pip was rushing around with his crew as they outfitted and resupplied one of the two other ships for a return voyage through the mist. Pip was sending Nixx to fetch the First Fleet. Nixx was hot on his hooves, "Captain, I just don't understand why you must send me as well. I can make a chart for them..." He continued in his rambling protest at being sent the opposite direction.

"It's simple. The First Fleet needs a guide through that mist. They cannot navigate through it easily as we can and were going to need them sooner rather than later. It just so happens that there is only one pony in the whole empire that can navigate t he shroud in a straight path without crashing and sinking. Another part to this important task is to upkeep a promise that we made to some very endangered friends that call that place home...without you who knows if the fleet might not happen upon them..." Pip said roughly to the tech.

Nixx made to argue but promptly clamped his mouth shut as a new angle made itself known in the argument. "I'll grab what I need, give me just a moment." The tech replied and rushed off to gather his needed items. Pip was glad he was on board now, so to speak. If there was one gift the tech had it was that he was able to switch his stand on things in very short time with new information. Nixx was soon loading his small trunk into the other ships hold, he shouted over to Pip, "I'll bring the fleet as quickly as I can push them! I promise!" He then galloped off in search of the Captain of the vessel.

They soon were underway, Pip and his crew watched as the ship was swallowed by the oppressive mist, vanishing in a blink. Once gone the Bonnie Lass and the other remaining vessel set course for the island harbor where the smaller second fleet made berth. They were under way with good speed, sails full of wind and crews full of anxiety.

Within two days after their arrival at the port Pip would be expecting the First Fleet to meet up with them and the Second Fleet. They would leave for Bad Wolf Bay at the dawn of the third day. There would surely be a confrontation with the Draquus that day as well. What they could be sailing into was yet unknown to them but Pip had an uneasy feeling they would need both the First and Second fleets to contend with whatever the Draquus would throw at them.

Battle of Bad Wolf Bay

Smoke floated thick in the air. Fires burned in a dozen directions around the Bonnie Lass as she trolled the waters around Bad Wolf Bay. The engagement had lasted a long time already. The sun was falling rapidly as the darkness of night over took the sea, but still the fighting would continue. The second fleet was grinding the Draquus ships hard. The Draquus had dozens of ships, almost three to each of their one. The numbers had been against them from the beginning. All they had going for them was their experienced crews, battle hardened veterans that knew how to maneuver as a team rather than a gaggle. Together they went about separating the bigger ships from the smaller ones, preying on them like a pack of timber wolves. It was hot, messy work, and even with their superior firepower and training they were not without their losses.

Out in the sea around his ship, Pip could see the burning hulks of many Draquus ships, but he was also witness to the misfortune of at least a dozen of the Royal Navy's own ships. The timbers of many still cracking with fire. The ocean all around was littered with the corpses of the dead; dorsal fins of sharks were aplenty in the blood soaked waters as they fed on the bodies.

Maneuvering was tight and difficult, the noise was a crescendo of cannon fire, splitting wood and the screams of sailors from both sides. The acrid stench of charred flesh was all to present in the air around them, the only smell that beat it was the scent of blood.

Even with the chaos all about them Pip could see that the tides were in their favors. Within a couple hours still they should have control of the waters around Bad Wolf Bay. Within a couple more hours they would uncover the truth about the incursion of the Draquus.

Pips reprieve was suddenly interrupted by nearby cannon fire. Out of the smoke came a Draquus ship, straight for the Bonnie Lass. They were at a disadvantage in their position, already maneuvering around the burning hulks of half sunken ships they were unable to come about fast enough to repel their assailants. They wouldn't need to though, as Pip watched with commands on his tongue, two more of the Royal Fleet came fast on their stern. The Draquus were doing their best to flee their tails, in doing so they payed little attention to what was hidden in the thick smoke.

The Draquus ship was run into one of the half sunken hulks. The impact tore into the hull, ripping into its body like a sword. A massive hole was punched in the ships body, it eventually ground to a halt, taking on water faster and faster, soon the other ships were on them, firing freely into the ship as it continued to sink with the other vessel.

Early on in the campaign they had tried to show a willingness to take on survivors from defeated ships. That was no longer an option, once the boarding party of one vessel had been allowed on board one of the first ships defeated in order to prepare it for transport back as a prize the remaining crew had spilled forth from the lower decks and slaughtered the boarding party, then sacrificing their own ship and lives as they detonated the magazines below, the explosion was massive and it had decimated the other Royal Navy vessel completely. None had survived. After that they drew no quarter.

Night was fully upon them now. The smoke was thinning at this point, but was still very thick, much of it was still illuminated by the dozens of fires that still burned. Many of them set by the Bonnie Lass's own Blaze Cannons. The Ship that had been chasing the Draquus vessel was just ahead, slowed almost to a halt as they watched the ship they'd been after sink beneath the waves. The sound of cannon fire was slowing now, the Draquus were almost defeated, very few of their ships remained. Many of the Equestrian naval ships around the waters were regrouping, prepping prizes, caring for their wounded, and disposing of the dead.

His own crew was dispensed about the deck of the ship in similar fashion, they had few wounded thankfully, they'd taken some hits as well but they were in good shape. Nothing to serious. It was getting quieter still now, the last of the visible Draquus vessels was being cleaned up by three vessels. The would have control of the waters. Luckily they had managed to claim this victory without the first fleet. It had been a hard fight, but luckily they'd managed. Even now they were sending back their crippled ships to the safe harbors back in Equestrian waters.

Pip was helping the zebra twins Zanza and Danza re-secure some loose rigging when he heard it. At first he had thought it was wind but then he made out the unmistakable sound of disturbed water. Something big was coming their way. He figured it was due time for the First Fleet to show up. They would no doubt need the large guns to break the costal defense the Draquus no doubt had in place upon the Island.

Then, at the edge of the smoke the first Iron Clad hull broke through. First relief seeped into Pips veins, seeing those hulks of engineering was always a good feeling. They were moving fast, there were five of them Pip counted as more prows broke through the smoke. That feeling of relief was short lived though.

While he watched them sailing quickly he noticed that they were not slowing. They were moving far too fast to be meeting up with them. Something must have been going on elsewhere that the Second Fleet and his vessel had yet to hear about. Then as the first of the ships turned to face him he saw it, illuminated by the burning fires of wrecked ships. The Draquus.

Their flagships had arrived. Before Pip could signal a warning to the Royal Navy vessel ahead of him the foremost hulk slammed into its side. The Draquus vessel was nearly five times larger than the Equestrian ship. It plowed into the vessel at full speed, timbers were hewn in two, crushed to oblivion under the sheer force of the impact. The ship was torn in two pieces in the blink of an eye.

Then the cannons spoke. The ship turned toward the grouped vessels of the second fleet, guns, dozens of them, opened fire all at once from the Draquus ship, blasting into the Equestrian ships with frightening effects. The shells they threw at the ships were larger than anything they had at their own disposal. They punched massive holes in the ships, blasting them out completely in only a couple shots. Before anypony could gain a bearing of what was happening they'd already lost half of their remaining ships to the brutal onslaught of the Draquus Flagships.

Pip shook himself from his shocked stupor, "Douse the lights! Get us out of here!" he shouted as loudly as he could, trying to make himself heard above the din of the Draquus guns. They stood no chance without the first fleet. The few that heard him set about darkening the Bonnie Lass and prepping her for retreat. It was then Pip heard the noise to their port. He turned in time to see the massive prow of another Draquus flagship cutting through the water towards them. In a matter of a second it was upon them. Pip had only enough time to look down, meeting the eyes of Nixx as he came from below deck. The impact threw him clear of the Bonnie Lass. the water was cold and full of flotsam. Pip was dazed as he surfaced, clinging to a bit of wood. He watched with blurring vision as his beloved ship was ripped in half. Its crew thrown into the churning sea around it or dashed upon the hull of the Draquus ship. Her stores went off, blasting a gaping hole in what was left of the aft section of the ship. He saw the Bonnie Lass sink beneath the waves as his vision tunneled into black and he lost consciousness.

The first thing he noticed upon his waking was the sunlight. It was morning he guessed, his sight was still was not perfectly crisp, but he could see well enough. His head ached, he could feel the bandages around his temple and ears. Pip looked around, he was on the deck of another vessel. There was a hoof scrape beside him and he turned, albeit groggily. His eyes met the glare of another pony with eyes like that of a lion, slit pupils and fierce. He looked past the eyes to the midnight blue coat, the membrane wings. A Draquus, instinctively, he tried to jump up to flee, but instead he could only scrabble in his weakened state.

"Woah! Easy! Your safe, it's me!" A familiar voice called out.

Pip looked back at the pony before him. He was indeed a Draquus. No doubt about that. Looking around he knew he was on board an Equestrian vessel. Then he noticed the armor the creature wore. Bright, large crests on the shoulders, all engraved with lettering. He saw more of them down the ship's deck, tending to the wounded. He remembered then, it was the Guardians. He'd been so sure of their demise after they helped him escape, he'd given no hope that they would have made it out alive. But here they were. And before him stood Quillweave.

"I'm sorry. I didn't recognize you." He said apologetically.

"It's ok. No need to be sorry, you got knocked about pretty badly." Quillweave said.

Memories flowed into Pips mind then. The Bonnie Lass.

"So it's true. She's gone." He said.

"Sadly, yes. Lost to the sea. I saw the last of her sink below the waves as we finished off the Draquus Flagships. It was then I found you and your crew all spread around it." Quillweave confirmed.

"How bad was it? The fight?" Pip asked.

"It was bad, it has only just finished. Their ships were tough, but they were made with haste. Easy to dispatch for the first fleet once they saw how they operated." Quillweave said.

"And the second fleet?" Pip ventured.

"...All but lost....Only the few that left earlier in the fight remain. There were very few survivors from the other ships I'm sorry to say." Quillweave replied quietly.

That weighed heavily with Pip. Losing an entire branch of the Navy would not be easily, or quickly, replaced.

"So what are we doing now? Have we taken the bay and the island?" Pip asked.

"No, Not yet. Once the Flagships were defeated we started rescue operations. Now that that is mostly finished we are preparing to take the island. Without their ships for help it should not take long to clear out what remains of the Draquus and put down this invasion." Quillweave answered.

Just then Pip felt a vibration in the deck of the ship, sudden and strong at first, then steady and almost unnoticeable. He looked around, their ship was starting to move. It must have been the engines starting that he had felt. Pip staggered to his feet. With a bit of help from Quillweave, he walked to the aft end of the ship and looked down. The waters were churning behind the great blades of the propellers. Pip had not yet seen how the great ships moved through the seas, what he saw amazed him.

"Incredible." He said.

"Yes, indeed. I've never seen anything like these ships." Quillweave said.

They were making quick pace towards the docks that jutted out into the sea from the large Island that dominated Bad Wolf Bay. They closed fast, within the hour they were within range. Pip now was improved enough to be of some help. He made himself useful by assisting where he could, on the massive guns below deck, or at spotter points. Wherever he was needed.

The Draquus were in force on the shores and in the shanty town all about the coast. There was a massive fortress just beyond that. Already they could see the shore guns being prepared. The fight was about to start. Seconds of silence passed then their center most ship sounded a loud and deep horn, signaling the battle to begin. Their ships lurched forward, bringing the remaining guns to bear, the large ones on the top deck rotated their single long barrels towards the coastal fortress. They were massive. When they fired it sounded like the sky itself had joined the fight with thunder. Flames and smoke belched out of the end of the guns, blowing back in their faces as they sailed through it.

The effects upon the shanty town were devastating. Entire blocks were obliterated. Within moments half the area was turned to craters and rubble. Then a resounding chorus broke out from the coastal batteries, shells whistled past them as the guns got their bearings. They fired rapidly, one after another. It seemed they had kept their best back in case of their fleets defeat.

The first hit against them was a glancing hit to the hull of a nearby ship. The shell impacted the iron clad hull of the vessel, gouging a long seam in the platted armor before it glanced off into the water. That ship fired directly after. Its shot hit home as well. A corner of the fort exploded into a massive fireball as the round impacted. Another shot hit next to it, punching through the wall and vanishing inside the walls. Soon they were shelling the fort with great effect. They took hits as well though. One of the gun batteries of the fortress had gotten a good bearing on one of their ships and was hammering it hard. Shell after shell slammed into the ship, many glanced off the armored sides but many also hit solid. One round hit home on one of her three large guns. The effects were absolute , the gun was now immobile, its rotating mechanism all but destroyed. She kept at it though.

Soon the front of the Fortress was turned into a mural of holes and rubble. But still the guns fired on from further back. There was a commotion from behind Pips area, a group of technicians was wresting a large round across the deck towards the main gun. Pip ambled over and gave them a hoof. Looking around at them all argue and speculate. But then he noticed one in particular. It was Nixx! The tech from the Bonnie Lass spoke up now.

"It will work! I designed it myself, now shut up and let's get it loaded, otherwise I don't know if we will crack this fortress any time soon!" He shouted.

Pip didn't know what he meant by designing the shot, but he could not deny that the fortress, while taking a beating, was holding out very well under the circumstances.

They wrested the shot to the gun crew, who at first refused to load it, but after a moments arguing and then once an officer heard them they were convinced to load it for the next shot. The techs retreated back from the gun so they could do their work aiming and loading the round. Nixx ran down the way and waited against the rails facing the island.

Pip followed him, not sure as to what was so special about the round they'd loaded. He found out soon enough. The gun launched its payload with a shattering boom. The shot struck home, punching through the main section of the fortress wall. A second passed and it seemed nothing would happen. The guns continued to pepper the walls. Then suddenly a tremendous explosion shattered the front of the fort, fire blasted out a dozen windows and gun ports. The explosion rent a great hole in the wall of the fortress. More explosions went tearing through it shortly after.

Pip at once realized what Nixx had loaded into that shell. It was the same formula that they had used in the Bonnie Lass's Blaze guns. The fortress guns were silenced suddenly as the wicked fires burned out of control. Draquus could be seen taking to wing all around the fortress. Vanishing into the crags and crevices all around the large mountains that made up the island. It seemed victory was near at hand, the coastal town was gone, the fort set ablaze. Their enemy in full retreat, leaving behind even a large section of the fort that could still have fought on Pip noticed. Quillweave now joined the two of them.

"Well done Nixx." He said over the din of continued gunfire from their fleet.

They watched the Draquus fleeing towards the mountain. Quillweave lurched suddenly, face contorted in a mixture of pain, surprise, and fear. They looked at him in concern.

"It can't be." he whispered. He lifted himself into the air, wings thrusting powerfully, at the same time using his limited magic to launch a magical flare high above him, it was solid black. A strange color to use Pip thought, but all this set ill in his gut. Something was coming he didn't quite understand. But to see the rather calm Guardian react in such a sudden manner unnerved him.

Then, above the din of their gunfire a resounding, thunderous, ear shattering noise erupted from the island. Pip watched from the deck as the top of the tallest mountain suddenly exploded in fire and rock. A volcano he thought. Then the noise came again, greater still. Their guns silenced. More fire and smoke exploded out of the mountaintop. It was then he noticed the Guardians had all but left the ships and were headed towards the island as fast as their wings would take them.

Then a great explosion blasted the top half of the mountain clear, boulders the size of wagons and ships were cast like toys down its sides and across the island. Gouts of fire erupted from the sides of the rocky slopes, smoke billowed out in great plumes obscuring the sky above them. Then the shockwave hit them, the ships swayed back slightly, the crewmembers on deck were flattened to the hull or pushed across the deck with its force.

Then he saw it, great black wings, long sinuous neck and shinning scales. A dragon.

Fear coursed through Pip, audible shouts could be heard from all the ships around him as the great beast exploded out of the mountain all fire and wings. It was soon airborne and headed straight for them. It was so fast. The great monster barreled past the Guardians and was upon them in an instant.

It strafed the first ship it reached with fire. It was hot, red and white gouts erupted from its toothy maw. Incinerating the ship from aft to stern. The wood exploded into crackling embers, the iron parts of the hull glowed from the heat before melting into slag. The dragon passed once more, laying more flame to the ship. The white hot fires decimated the vessel in seconds. Its stores of ammo exploded, it began to sink quickly. Steam billowed from the sea as the hot flames and red iron sank into the water. Not a single crewmember was seen in the waters after its sank.

The sheer power of the raging dragon was incredible. The Naval Fleet did their best to return fire but the cannons were to slow. Soon the dragon was turning around, coming about for another pass at the next ship. It's great black wings drove hard, cupping the air in great swaths, propelling the beast towards them with great speed. The monster was upon them in moments, Pip was soon looking straight into its jagged toothed mouth. A bright orange and red glow was building inside that jagged grin as the dragon continued its approach. His ship was next. After seeing what that monster could do to one ship Pip knew if he stayed on board he'd be killed. So overboard was his only option.

With the dragon almost upon them Pip turned to jump over the railing. Willing to take his chance in the waters below rather than be immolated by the inferno about to be unleashed upon the vessel he was on. He stopped at the railing just before he jumped. A flurry of dark blue and shinning silver filled his vision. It was the guardians, they had regrouped and were charging headlong at the monster once more. This time as Pip watched there was a magical glow that emanated between them. As soon as he saw it, the magic lanced out from them in a flash. It missed it's mark but still sliced a hole through one of the dragons wings. The suddenness of the attack took it by surprise and it pulled up, shooting over the ship close enough that Pip got a good view of its armored hide, the flashing claws, and the wicked barbs on its tail.

Pip turned as the dragon blew past them, he was surprised to find Quillweave standing on deck in front of him.

"Our time here has come to an end. I'd have enjoyed continuing to help rebuild and clear this infestation but as you can see a greater problem has arisen. This is the dragon that changed my people. We thought him dead long ago, but it seems as though he was only building his strength. Now, my warriors and I must do what is needed to prevent the fall of another kingdom. Our magic is stronger around this monster because of him, we must use our strength to stop him. Please, take care of Nightspark in my absence. He is young, and has lost much." he said to Pip.

"Wait, how did you know about him? He's not even here, I made him and Dinky stay back on shore." Pip said in surprise.

"You're not the only one who knows about the isle in the mist. I told you I have a wife. You yourself met her upon that very island. Nightspark is not ours, no. But you are not the first to adopt him. I am saddened that I could not be there for him after his parents were taken. But you, I imagine, will not let him down. Take care of him. Promise me that much." Quillweave said as he mantled his great wings for flight.

"I will." Pip replied.

He was battered momentarily by great gusts of wind as the Guardian took flight to rejoin his troops who still harried the dragon, keeping its attention away from the fleeing ships of the First Fleet.

As they plowed the waters away from the Dragon and the Guardians there was a great thunderclap and flash of magic. Pip watched as powerful magic lit up the sky around them. The wind blew against them, towards the fighting dragon and Guardians. The sea below them churned white, seemingly of its own mind. Great sparks snapped through the air around the dragon. The air was turning crisp around them as it was saturated with magic. What he was seeing he could not believe, the sheer power was astounding and unfathomable.
҉

Quillweave hovered momentarily as his soldiers flew in circles around the great dragon. Their spell was nearly finished, it was taking all they had to achieve it. The sheer amount of magic it required was only possible because of their connection to the very beast they fought. The crackling noise of the spell around him quieted the sound of the wind and ocean below. The beating of the dragons wings were quiet. Its roaring of anger muffled as if under a pillow. He looked down at the retreating vessels as they passed beyond the spells area of effect. His last glimpse of an unlikely friend below, watching him. The seafaring pony he knew as Pip of the Bonnie Lass had made him a promise and Quillweave was going to make sure he had that chance to keep it.

A dark and heavy voice interrupted his thoughts. The dragon spoke to him directly.

"You cannot defeat me. Do as you will but you all shall fall to my power. I will return here after I blacken your broken corpses. I gave you power and you squander it. You will fall just like your kingdom before you." It said.

"We will see about that." Was all he said in response.
҉
Pip felt the deep reverberations of the dragons voice as it spoke. They shook in his body. He heard every word, and it frightened him. He heard no response. But he did see one. There was a sudden building hum of energy, lights spun around the dragon and the Guardians as their spell came to its climax. Pip had no idea what was about to happen but he could imagine it would be devastating. He was instantly proven right. With a last sudden burst of light and a resounding boom the dragon, the Guardians and even a large portion of seawater below them vanished in a massive thunderclap. They had vanished. To where Pip could not be sure. But they were gone.

Dragons Fall

Blood oozed freely from his wounds, seeping from beneath the rents in his once gleaming armor. The fight had lasted many hours, the Dragon, like the Guardians themselves, had been saving its strength for many years. The beast was now subdued after the long fight, chained and held under spell to prevent him from breathing more of the molten fire from his toothy maw. This victory had come at great cost to the Guardians. Many of his brethren, brothers and sisters alike, lay still about the ruins of their ancient home. All sacrificed in order to stop the mad beast Quillweave now stood before.

Its own wounds seeped blood as well. Many were small and insignificant to the monster. All but one, the final wound that had brought the creature to its current imprisonment. Inflicted at great cost by the last Guardian to fall in the titanic battle, giving her very life in order to bring the beast down before it destroyed them all. Her body was being carried now from the place of her fall, to be entombed in the great hall of the ruined city of their home. The first to be laid to rest in their home in nearly a century.

The great dragon lay motionless, staring, unblinking into Quillweaves eyes. Quillweave stared back. Even with one wing severed at the elbow the dragons rage and hate could still be felt, burning in his eyes like the fire from his maw.

The clacking of many armored hooves pulled Quillweave from his staring match. The remaining few Guardians approached carrying between them a relic of their past kingdom. The Great Lance. Originally designed to kill this very dragon in the old war. It was large, magically sharpened in order to pierce the armored hide of the monster before him.

They had never had the chance to make use of it until now, so quickly had their kingdom fallen.

They carried the lance to Quillweave, who joined his magic with theirs to help levitate its massive weight between them. The dragons eyes following its movement without fear.

Their magic began to hum, the levitation of the heavy lance only possible with the help of them all. It moved slowly, rising higher and higher above the dragon, high enough so that when the magic was removed its great weight would carry it down fast enough to penetrate the dragons body and kill it.

Even as the lance reached its zenith the dragon was silent. Watching as its own demise neared.

Quillweave stepped up to the dragons head, its eyes fixing to him. Quillweave addressed it directly.

"For your atrocities committed upon a peaceful nation..."

One Guardian cut his magic and stepped away.

"For the genocide committed against our people, our families, our friends..."

Another Guardian severed his magic and stepped away.

"For your forced transformation and perversion of our race into creatures of fear and hate..."

The third Guardian relinquished his hold and stepped away.

"For the destruction of our homes and theft of our magic..."

The second to last Guardian cut his magic and stepped aside, leaving only Quillweave as the only Guardian supporting the lance. His wings mantled and body straining in a show of great power of will as he forced his stunted magic to obey him as it once had.

"We find you guilty and sentence you." He finished.

Quillweave broke his magical hold. The lance wavered for a split second before it plunged. Its great weight drove the lance deep into the ground, narrowly missing the dragons face, but coming close enough to tear a line through the scales of his cheek to the bottom of his jaw.

There was a moment of quiet. Then a growing pressure in the air was soon reverberating all around them becoming a deep booming laugh that emanated from the monsters mouth before him. This lasted a minute, then its deep and powerful voice thundered into their ears.

"Weakness!! You condemn me to death, yet cannot carry out the sentence. And you wonder why your armies perished, your cities burned, and your families sacrificed! I did your kind a favor and let you live as I saw fit, to serve me. You cannot defeat me. Even now. I will return to that land you took me from and finish my conquest. But now I shall slay them all. I will raise their cities to the ground with fire and claw. I'll take their magic and their flight! They will serve me before they die! They will know fear, and pain, after I finish here I will destroy them!" The dragon boomed.

"Yes. You shall return to that place. You will. But not as you are. You are guilty. But we did not condemn you to death. We condemned you to life." Quillweave shouted over the noise of moving chains.

"LIFE! You have failed to destroy me not once, but twice. And you claim that my punishment is to live! You are fools! You shall die as such! I will take great joy in slaughtering you all! HA-HA-HA!!" Replied the dragon. It's laughter echoing through the ruins of the city.

"Yes, you shall live, as punishment. But not as you are." Quillweave replied.

The remaining Guardians had surrounded the dragon. And as Quillweave took his place in the circle they conjured the last of their arsenal of spells and pushed their strength to the edge to make it happen. Their weekend magic making the spell difficult for so few of them to manage even together.

A chain of magic encircled the beast, growing brighter and brighter as the spell grew in power. The dragons laughter was soon drowned out by the hum of powerful energy. Sparks began to crackle around them. Great dark clouds formed above them, lightning and thunder erupting from their blackness as heavy rain fell upon them, the drops crackling with magical energy.

A bright flash of lightening and a tremendous explosion of thunder brought the spell to its end. All became quiet suddenly. Save for the maniacal cackling laughter that soon fell quiet as well.

Quillweave stepped forward and faced the pony before him. A Draquus itself. He stood only slightly smaller than Quillweave. He looked just like the other Draquus, save that one wing was missing, stumped at the elbow. And his eyes burned with fear and rage. Smoke wisped from his nostrils as realization struck home.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME!" Bellowed the Draquus, "You have turned me into a vileness of your likes! You are weakness! I shall destroy you all for this insult to me! Then I will use your blood and magic to right this insult. When I move on from your bodies I will return to the land beyond and flay the ponies of that kingdom as payment for your insolence!" The Draquus screamed at them, followed by his charge at Quillweave.

In response Quillweave stomped one powerful hoof on the ground, sending the once dragon to the ground, where Quillweave then magically held him down as he struggled to rise.

"We condemn you to live as us. We have taken your ability of flight. Used your own magic to transform you into what you made us into. You shall live like this the rest of your days. You shall know our pain, our sorrow, and our compassion. You are guilty." Quillweave leaned in close to the once dragons ear, " We condemn you to life." Quillweave finished, Now standing over the once dragon.

The once dragons eyes were no longer filled with hate and rage, replaced instead with fear and sadness.

The Return

Pip looked out over the busy harbor on the shores of New Saddle. Many of the Equestrian Navy's ships had been in dry dock undergoing extensive repairs for months now. Pip had watched ship after ship come and go. They would be hauled in by tug teams and placed in a dry dock. From there the water was drained and the ship was secured fast in a great steel harness, repairs would begin soon after. One after another, ship after ship. The damages from the battle of Bad Wolf Bay had been great, but repairs on the fleet were going quickly, thanks to the amazing talent of the Engineers Corp. All the ships that were deemed repairable were being fixed.

All but one.

Pip and his crew had been shored since their return from Bad Wolf Bay. It was torture to Pip. He thought a great deal about what he would do now. With no ship, and no guarantee yet of if he would be able to get another soon, his merits had certainly earned him and his crew a new vessel, but the resources just were not there to build him a new one. At least not until the repairs of the First and Second Fleet were finished. Pip understood. They had to keep their naval strength, the need for a stable fleet was more important than the want of one captain. He understood. But it was still hard being land bound.

On their return they had been taken to the nearby hospital and treated for their wounds. Dinky had thought him dead when she was unable to spot the Bonnie Lass among the returning ships. She had not given up hope though and had found Nixx among the workers on the docks, Nixx had taken her immediately to the hospital. She was overjoyed to find Pip there and ok, resting while he recovered from his wounds. She brought little Nightspark a couple days later, the young colt was at once happy and all talk when he saw Pip. All Pip could do at the time was stare at the young Draquus and think of Quillweave. Of the promise he vowed to keep.

Pip thought of Quillweave often. He'd saved his life more than once. The leader of the Guardians was indeed a Draquus, but he was much more than what the Draquus they'd fought had become. Pip wondered a great deal about the fate of the incredible pony and his band of Guardians. Their action had saved the First Fleet, neigh, their final action had certainly saved all of Equestria. Every time Pip looked at little NightSpark he thought of Quillweave. Even now, NightSpark flitted about above the valley that overlooked the Harbor. The gravity of what was in view before him was lost to the young pony. Or so Pip thought. He found out shortly after as he called NightSpark down to him and decided to have a very important talk with his young charge.

Nightspark landed with great grace for such a young flier. He trotted over to where Pip stood overlooking the harbor and joined him in looking at the repairs. Pip looked down and was intrigued to see understanding written all over the young ones face as he looked into the harbor.

"Do you know what they are doing down there?" Pip asked.

"Yes. There was a big fight wasn't there?" NighSpark said Quietly.

Pip was surprised at the young ones intuition. "How do you know that?" He asked.

"Mum told me. She said you were there. She said it was too dangerous for me and her to go too." NightSpark replied.

"She did huh. Well she was right. There was a big fight." Pip said.

"Where is our boat? Did it sink?" NightSpark asked innocently.

"Yeah...it did. I miss the Bonnie Lass a lot." Pip admitted to the colt.

"Me too. I liked out ship. I'm glad most of the crew survived. I like them too." NightSpark said.

"Yeah, that is good indeed." Pip said.

There was a short period of silence between them as they watched the work below.

NightSpark was the one to break the quiet.

"I was scared when we didn't see your ship with the others." He said quietly, "I thought you were not coming back either."

Pip looked at the colt in shock. NightSpark was staring ahead.

"What do you mean?" Pip asked.

NightSpark was quiet for a moment before he responded.

"I know you don't think I remember much from when I was even littler than I am now. But I do. At least some. I know I'm not from here at least. I was scared because I thought I'd lost you too. Like the last one who took care of me." NightSpark said.

"The last one? Do you remember who he was?" Pip asked, in shock that the colt could remember so far back.

"Not really, I was littler then. I know he was a soldier. He lived on the island with his the others. He always looked out for me. Before he left. I think he's dead now, or has been for a long time. I think he went to fight the same monsters you did." NightSpark said, his eyes in a solid stare as he recalled his past.

Pip was amazed at this youngsters memory.

"I was scared because I was so lonely when he left the island. I thought you had gone too. " He continued. There were tears running down his face but he wasn't giving in.

"You know...." Pip had to think carefully of his next words, as they would have a great effect on the youngster, "...I think you are right. He is a soldier. He was fighting the monsters too. I'm sure he's still out there. I bet he thinks of you a lot." Pip said.

The colt looked right into Pips eyes. Almost through him. His own eyes were slit like the rest of the Draquus, and they were full of memories, pain, and happiness. But what he saw most at the moment was intrigue and thought.

"You said 'is' " The young one whispered. "Why?"

"Well...you see...in my travels I met a great many ponies. I also met others like you. One however I became good friends with. He was at the battle where our boat sank. And at a battle long before that where he saved us from monsters on an island out past the horizon that way..." Pip said as he motioned out past the bay, "I also have been to your island as you well know. I learned a great deal from the leader there. I think he is still out there fighting the monsters. And if he is, I'm sure one day he will come back to us." Pip finished.

The little colt just stared at Pip. He could see the youngster working out what he had just told him in his mind. Putting the puzzle together.

"You...know him....don't you?" NightSpark asked.

Pip looked at his young charge, he had to tell the youngster the truth. He couldn't hide that from him.

"Yes, I do. And he told me all about you. He saved us all. He is a great pony. He misses you greatly. He and his soldiers saved us from a great threat. Before he did he asked me to take care of you. I promised him I would, no matter what." Pip said.

The little colt was quiet as the words sunk in to his young mind. He shuffled over to Pip and leaned against Pips leg as he sat next to him. "Well I'm happy he is ok. I hope I get to see him again too. I hope you get to see him again. He sounds like a good pony. I'm glad he asked you to take care of me. I like you and mum." NightSpark said.

They looked over the harbor as the sun set slowly. They were quiet as they watched another vessel being brought in to be worked on.

"Are we gonna get a new ship? I want to sail again. It is more fun than being on land." NightSpark questioned.

"I suppose we will soon enough. I'll make sure they give you your very own room too." Pip said.

"Really!" the colt said excitedly.

"Really." Pip said.

"Cool. Will Nixx and the others be there too?" NightSpark asked.

"Of course they will be! Can't have a ship without a crew." Pip said.

"They are a good crew." NightSpark said with a great yawn.

"Come on. Time to go home." Pip said as he nudged the colt alert.

NightSpark flitted into the air above him with a little hop and settled on Pips back.

Pip looked back at the young one who just smiled back.

Pip carried him home like that, NightSpark fell asleep before they were even out of sight of the harbor.

He trotted through the door and a tingle of magic immediately tickled his back. Dinky swept by, carrying the young one carefully before her as she passed him and took NightSpark to his bed. Pip followed and watched as Dinky tucked the colt in. She came out of the room, shutting the door behind her quietly so not to wake him. They retired to their own bed shortly after.

"You two were gone longer than normal." Dinky said curiously.

"Indeed....I told him tonight." Pip responded.

"Oh? Is he ok?" She asked in concern.

"Yes. He is ok. I'm quite amazed by him actually. His memory goes far back. Though vague. He told me more than I was planning on telling him. He remembers a lot. But he is happy with us. I think he has known for a long time about Quillweave." Pip said.

"Well I hope he didn't take it too hard. Time will tell. Come, let us sleep. Another full day awaits us tomorrow." Dinky said as she lay down for the night. Pip followed suit and was soon fast asleep.

He was awoken early in the morning by a rough nuzzle on his shoulder. He opened his eyes and was greeted by NightSpark staring at him.

"What is it bud?" Pip asked, now alert. He moved over to make room for the colt, it was a rare occasion but had happened a few times before, some dream, a nightmare sometimes, seemed to haunt him every once in awhile, much like any other youngster. Pip assumed it was that and made room for the colt to lay by his side where he would stay till morning was full.

Pip had lay his head back down but was immediately nudged again by NightSpark.

"Pa, there is someone here. He's a big Pony." Said the colt.

"Is it Radko?" Pip asked as he climbed out of bed, careful not to wake Dinky.

"No, he has shiny armor on and asked for you. He gave me some candy. I like him. Can I have it now?" NightSpark asked him.

"Better wait till after breakfast buddy, ok?" Pip said.

"Ok." Nightspark said and set the candy on the nightstand. Pip noticed a bite already missing from it and chuckled to himself.

"Can I come with you to see who it is?" He asked Pip.

"Better let me take care of it. Climb up with mom and try to get some more sleep kiddo. I'll be back in a minute." Pip said.

"Ok da." Nightspark said and tried to clamber up on the tall bed. He managed to get his front legs up but couldn't quite get his back side to follow suit. Pip nudged him up softly. The colt clambered over to Dinky and lay next to her, draping one of his webbed wings over her side and promptly fell asleep. Pip quietly exited the room and closed the door behind him. He looked to the front door and noticed it was closed and locked. He wondered if perhaps NightSpark had indeed been dreaming but decided to check anyway.

He unlocked the door and opened it a crack. The colt hadn't been dreaming. A palace guard from Canterlot stood at his door patiently.
Pip opened the door and greeted the guard.

"May I help you?" He asked.

"You are Pip, former Captain of the lost Bonnie Lass? Privateer under employment of the crown?" The guard asked calmly and respectfully.

"Yes, I am Pip. What can I do for you?" Pip responded.

"Your presence has been requested in Canterlot. We have a transportation awaiting. You may bring your family as well if you wish," He said in military fashion, then added more personally, "I'm sure your young charge would enjoy the palace, he's a smart young colt. You should be proud of him. Wouldn't even open the door for us. Talked to us through the mail slot." The other two guards chuckled along with him. "We will wait for you outside the docks. Take time to prepare if needed but I must insist that this is a matter of great importance to a stranger who arrived this very morning." The guard said. And then turned and lifted skyward with the other two.

Pip walked back in and closed the door. To his surprise NightSpark was already waiting for him by the couch.

"So...can I come too?" He said, not even trying to hide that he had listened to the whole conversation.
Pip just chuckled and tussled the youngsters mane.

"Let's go ask mum." Pip said. Nightspark darted to the kitchen. Dinky must have gotten up as well.
Pip followed and was preceded by NightSpark's excited babbling.

"There were three of them. They were all white and had big wings, and Armor. And one gave me candy! I like him. Da was talking to them just now and they want him to go to a place called Canterlot. It sounds fun. Can we go too?" The little colt said without taking a breath.

"Well, he's not wrong. They want me in Canterlot today. They have transport for us already waiting. You are welcome to come with me, if you like. I'm not sure what it's about but they said I may bring you all along if I so wish." Pip said to Dinky.

"Can we mum? Can we go with da to the Palace? I want to see it." NightSpark was practically begging.

"Well...I guess." Dinky said.

"Yay!" Shouted the colt as he hopped in place in joy.

"But first you have to eat your apple." Dinky said.

NightSpark glowered at the apple in front of him. Like the other Draquus he ate meat as well. Something that had a first taken Pip awhile to get used to when he first met the Guardians. He preferred the meat but he also knew Dinky wouldn't give in. So he took the apple and chomped it down as quick as he could.

"Let me see." Dinky said.

Nightspark opened his mouth. His little fangs gleaming in the light.

"Ok, good enough now go brush your teeth, can't go to the palace with dirty fangs now can you!" Dinky said to NightSpark who just giggled and galloped to the washroom excitedly.

Dinky trotted after the colt, giving Pip a peck on the cheek as she trotted after him. "Your breakfast is out on the table dear." She said as she passed.

Pip ate quickly. Listening as Dinky worked with NightSpark on how to use magic. His magic was stunted like all other Draquus but with Dinky helping teach him every morning and when she could through the day he was improving faster than they had expected. He was determined to get better.

Soon they were all packed and ready to go. Once they stepped outside Nightspark took to the air. He wavered a little under his own little pack but he recovered quickly. Pip and Dinky trotted after him as he led the way to the docks. Soon they found their way to the waiting chariots. The guards greeted them respectfully.

"Sir, Mam. Please board and we will be off at once." Said the guard Pip had spoken to earlier.

NightSpark flitted down beside the Guard who looked down at him with a warm smile.

"Thanks for the candy Mr.Guard. It was good. Do they have more at Canterlot?" He asked.

The guard chuckled kindly, "I'm sure they do youngster. I'll make sure that you get some when we get there. Now hop up with your ma and pa and we'll be off." He said with a grin.

NightSpark hopped onto the Chariot and tucked in between Pip and Dinky. "Are these fast?" He asked Pip curiously.

"They are indeed kid. Better hang on!" Shouted the lead stallion in good humor.

They launched off with great haste. The wind wiping around them. The land melted behind them, rushing past with great speed. NightSpark was laughing and fearlessly looking over the edge as they raced through the sky. He watched the world fly by the entire time they were traveling.

They reached Canterlot by noon. Touching down in the palace courtyard, lightly. They were allowed to stretch and recover from the quick travel. Nightspark flitted about the courtyard darting past the guards to their great amusement. Soon however they were greeted by a squire.

"Please come with me. Your presence is requested with haste to the throne room." She said and promptly trotted into the palace forcing them to follow quickly. NightSpark landed and trotted close to Pips side.

Moments later they were waiting outside the doors to the throne room. Pip had once met Princess Luna, long ago when he was a colt during one of her first ventures after her return. Since then much had happened. Discord who had once ravaged the kingdom had become a helpful and dedicated ally to the throne and was often around the palace. And not long after, Twilight Sparkle, whom resided in her own palace in PonyVille had become the fourth ruling Alicorn. His home town was full of lore he could be proud of. Yet even with it all he couldn't think of why they would need him at the palace.

There was a pervasive quiet in the hall as they waited for admittance. Soon the doors opened and Pip alone was requested forward.

"Wait here NightSpark, I'll call for you both when allowed." He said to the colt who had remained quiet.

"Ok da." Was his quiet response, he sidled close to Dinky as Pip entered the throne room.

At once he was before the two sisters. Celestia and Luna. Beside them were Cadance and Twilight. The four of them all here meant it must be important. There was a rustle of air from above. And when Pip looked up he spotted the mismatched and sinuous body of Discord floating on a semi transparent pink cloud, true to his nature.

Pip bowed to the four before him. "Your Graces. I came as quick as I could" he said.

Celestia was the first to speak. "Rise Pip. Thank you for coming on such short notice." She said.

"It is my honor your grace." Pip said as he rose. "What can I do for your highnesses?"

Luna Spoke now. "A stranger arrived in the early hours of the morning. Him and few others like him. They brought us an injured one just like them. But their story of who....what...he is we find hard to fathom. When asked why we should believe his tale after a battle such as the one that cost us great losses among the Second Fleet, a battle fought against his very kind he answered with one word. A name rather. Yours." She finished.

Princess Cadance was quick to follow, "So in light of his story and the simple answer we did as we felt needed done and had you summoned at once. I hope we didn't disturb your morning, but this is of great importance." She said.

The last to speak was Princess Twilight, "Welcome to the palace Pip. I hope your travel went well, I sent my own escort to retrieve you and your family. I do hope that we can learn about this stranger from you. I'm quite eager to hear your story." She said with equal amounts of discipline and excitement.

Pip looked up at Discord who he expected to speak next. But was only met with a solid stare in return.

"I will do my best." Pip replied.

Celestia clacked a hoof on the marble floor.

Another door, this one smaller, opened to the side of the room. The stranger trotted in, a cloak of black hung about him, obscuring his face and body. Following close behind him was a Draquus, one missing a wing.

Pip looked back to the stranger. Then at once the truth of his identity was clear as sunlight to him and he was happy and confused all at once.

"Quillweave!" He said in shock.

The stranger tossed back the hood and nodded to him.

"My Graces, whatever this Pony has told you is no lie. I will back his claims with my own word. He saved my life more than once against the Draquus. I trust anything he says, as you all can as well I assure you all." Pip said with a bow.

"Quillweave. Welcome to our Kingdom. I must thank you for your assistance and I'm sorry for your losses. Please, accept our condolences. Please take a moment to tell your tale to your friend here." Celestia said.

Quillweave bowed regally to them and then turned to Pip.

"It is good to see you well friend." He said.

"Same to you my friend." Pip responded, "What happened?"

"You remember the dragon at Bad Wolf Bay correct? And how myself and my people took him from there." Quillweave asked.

"How could I ever forget." Pip said.

"Well we succeeded in our fight against the dragon. It will never be a threat to this great kingdom again." He said.

"This is great news. Though I see your fresh healed wounds. It went badly didn't it?" Pip said.

"I'm afraid so. Many of us fell in the fight. Only a few of us are left. But that is beyond the reason I have come here." Quillweave said gently. He stomped a hoof and the Draquus with the missing wing sauntered forward and knelt down.

"I said that we were victorious in our battle against the dragon....we were. But we did not slay him." Quillweave said quietly.
Pip looked at his friend then back at the Draquus. Realization hit him like a cinderblock.

"So why do you need me?" He asked.

"I needed your words of trust. So that your rulers would believe my tale and allow me to make a request of grave importance and heavy responsibility." Quillweave stated.

He then turned to the Princesses.

"My highnesses. You have heard my tale. Have listened to my history. And have heard the trust of one of your own in me. I respectfully ask for permission to make a request of your kingdom." Quillweave said with a polite bow.

"Speak Quillweave. We shall listen." Luna responded.

"In light of what my small remaining group achieved in defeating the dragon that came to your land from ours, as you see before you his changed form that he shall remain in till the end of his days. We cannot care for him. Nor do we have a kingdom of our own to take charge of his....living imprisonment....I returned with him after hearing tales of the legendary ability of your highnesses to care for threats that once were. I humbly ask that you take him as a charge under your protection to remain where ever you deem fit for him. That he be treated well and watched over. He is of no threat any longer I promise, as we have made sure of it. He is broken inside but not completely. In time he will come to understand our ruling. But he will need help that we cannot offer." Quillweave finished.

The Princesses sat in quietness for a moment. Then Princess Twilight rose and approached the Draquus with the missing wing. She worked some magic on him. Many types of magic. And once satisfied she turned to the others and nodded before returning to her own seat.

"We will take him into our care. He shall remain a guest in our kingdom. His care will be overseen by Discord. Whom we feel is best suited to the task at hand." Princess Celestia responded.

Pip felt the air stir and looked up to see Discord stirring from his cloud for the first time since he entered the room. The Draconequus moved slowly and pointedly towards the Draquus with the missing wing. He wound himself about a pillar as he moved down to the throne room floor. His form changed many times in his descent. Some made sense, others gave Pip a headache. Discord now was coiled in front of the Draquus, who now was sunk down low and quivering.

"You know well what I am. Who I am. Don't you? You are right to fear me. Your magic was once great. But you know that it is small compared to what my kind is capable of. Like you I once lay waste to armies, brought kingdoms to their knees and lorded my rule over what I thought as lesser beings. I made the same mistake you did though and failed to see the strength in love and friendship that ended up being my demise. You may be old, but I am far older, I was imprisoned for a thousand years. It took me even longer to learn the error of my ways. I will look after you, I shall not harm you. You need not continue to fear me. Trust me and I will show you a different way, if you are willing. It will take time but with help I think you will come around. Come, I have a very dear friend I would like for you to meet. She is kindness incarnate and will help you as she helped me." Discords voice was liquid. It was powerful and carried both a promise of kindness and a warning. The Draconequus bowed to the Princesses and then ushered the Once Dragon out through the main door. Pip caught a glimpse of the yellow pony from his hometown, Fluttershy, waiting for Discord and then following him from the castle.

"We thank you for your kind words Sir.Pip, you have helped a great deal in our decision making." Princess Celestia said to him before turning to Quillweave.

"You are welcome to remain in our kingdom as long as you like. You and your Fellows. Please accept the hospitalities of our kingdom as thanks to the great deed you have committed in protecting an empire that wasn't yours. You have our thanks." The four princesses bowed to Quillweave in thanks.

"Thank you your graces. We will remain and regain our strength but we will not stay long, there is still much work to be done." Quillweave said returning the bow.

He turned to Pip now.

"You made a promise to me before I left." Quillweave said.

"I have kept it to my best ability. He is here, would you like to see him?" Pip asked.

"It would bring great joy to my heart to see him, yes." Quillweave said.

Princess Luna had Dinky and NightSpark admitted to the throne room.

NightSpark rushed to Pip, all a chatter.

"I got to talk to the Guards again. They were nice too. And then a big yellow Pegasus talked to me. She was really nice to me. Then I saw the one she left with. He looked different, like me. And I saw the other Draquus with the missing wing. Is he ok? I hope he is ok, the nice Pegasus left with him so I'm sure he will be ok....." NightSpark had caught sight of Princess Twilight, who now stood in front of him.

"Bow to her, like this." Pip said, showing the colt how to bow.

NightSpark Imitated him and then giggled as she returned the bow.

"He's quite amazing." She said, looking closely at every inch of the young colt.

"He is indeed." Said a heavier male voice from behind her.

Princess Twilight stepped aside and allowed Quillweave to move forward. NightSpark froze.

"Hello little one. Do you remember me?" Quillweave said, as he settled on the floor, lowering himself to nearly the same level as NightSpark.

The little colt stood there for a moment, staring at Quillweave intensely, Pip gave him a gentle nudge. NightSpark approached Quillweave and tentatively reached out, smelling the air around him. He edged close to Quillweave, who remained very still. Then, slowly at first, then all at once he wrapped himself around Quillweave as best as his little body would let him. He was crying now, not fighting it. His memory from long past now brought back as all his hopes about the pony came true. Quillweave held the colt tightly, his own tears fell but slowly, though the joy was no less. Pip was happy for both of them.

"I'm so happy you came back." NightSpark said.

"I'm happy you remember me. You were so small when I left. I'm so sorry I left you." Quillweave responded.

"It's ok, you went to fight the monsters. I'm glad you did that. You saved me and the others. And you saved my new Ma and Pa." NightSpark said between sobs of joy.

Quillweave looked at Pip happily.

"I'm very happy to see that you are happy with your family here. Pip is a very good friend of mine and has taken wonderful care of you. I'm sure they will continue to take care of you as well." Quillweave said.

"Continue? Are you not going to stay too?" NightSpark said.

"I would love to. It would bring great joy to my heart. But I cannot. There are still many monsters that I must fight. I cannot allow them to get stronger. You understand don't you?" Quillweave said with a tinge of sadness in his voice.

"Yes, I understand. It is ok. I would like to stay with Ma and Pa. They are the best. Do you think someday when I'm older and stronger that I can come with you?" NightSpark asked Quillweave.

"Yes, I will always be near, all you ever need to do is ask for me and I will make haste to see you. And someday when your are older, and stronger I will take you with me and show you where we came from. If you would like." Quillweave said.

"I would like that. I will be sure to eat all my apples and fish so I can be strong like you and Pa." NightSpark said. "I promise."
Quillweave hugged the colt close once more and then rose to his hooves.

"Take care of him Pip. I trust you and your wife to care for him in my stead." He said to Pip.

"We shall do that friend. Thank you for bringing my husband home to us." Dinky interjected as she made her approach.

"Your are welcome my lady. Take care of Pip, he seems good at finding trouble." Quillweave said with a chuckle.

"Oh I shall." Dinky said.

"I must go now. Thank you Pip, and thank you my highnesses." Quillweave said. He bent down and nuzzled NightSpark, "Behave young one. And look after your parents here. Take care of them for me."

"I will, I promise." NightSpark said.

Quillweave bowed once more and trotted from the room. His visits would continue to be regular as he would always return to check on his friends and family.

"Pip. In regards to the great efforts of you and your crew we thank you for your service to the throne. We are sorry for your loss, both in crew and your beloved ship. In payment for your deeds we have sent order to the Admiralty to at once begin the building of your new ship. It is to be begun immediately upon your return to New Saddle. Again, thank you and may the winds ever fill your sails." Princess Luna addressed him.

"Thank you your highnesses. It will be a great honor to sail once more for the throne." Pip said with a bow to the Princesses.

"You are free to return home now. Thank you for your appearance today. Your chariot awaits you in the courtyard. Peace and love to you and yours." Princess Cadance said as they all bowed to him. Pip and his family bowed back and exited the throne room and were once again whisked home by the palace guards.

It was sunset again when they returned home. And true to their word when Pip and his family trotted down to the harbor overlook there, in one of the dry docks a new ship was being built under the guidance of Nixx who had saved the designs for the original Bonnie Lass.

They looked over the harbor as the sun set, enjoying the quietness as they all sat near one another and looked out over the ocean. NightSpark sat between them, a wing draped over the back of Pip and Dinky, he was yawning and would soon fall asleep. The sea breeze was warm and comforting. Soon they would have their new ship and they would be able to set sail on whatever adventures lay before them. But for now, they were happy to watch the sunset and revel in the love of their family.

THE END

Author's Note

I hope you all enjoyed this adventure. I'm sorry I went a long time before finishing this story. I was rather lost as to where to go with it. I have worked through it though. I hope you all enjoy the last of the chapters. Thank you for reading. :D Keep writing yourselves and may the writers block be ever fended away by your imaginations!

Chapter 1

High Tide Low Company

The salty air tousled the diminutive stallion’s mane as he guided his ship, HMS Bonnie Lass, through the warm summer waters of Bridle Shores. Gulls, along with any number of seabirds could be heard and seen around the ship as they plied the waters, and to the crews chagrin, the ship itself, in their search of food.

The pleasant breeze did well to keep the strong noon sun from cooking the crew. Only a few puffy white clouds could be seen in the calm blue sky. If one watched close enough they could pick out the local mail pegasai as they made their runs between the coastal towns.

The coast itself was as calm and peaceful as the sky, the waters lapping at the shores in a lazy manner. This made for good beach conditions that nopony was willing to waste. Any number of them patrolled the sandy beaches and swam in the calm waters. Earth, Pegasai, Unicorns and even the occasional Gryphon could be spotted in the surf or secluded in ones or twos.

The attitude on board the Bonnie Lass was much the same. The crew went about their duties with practiced ease, each member confident of their ability to complete their assigned tasks with the expected quality and care. The Captain made his way around the ship to ensure its functionality and make sure she was presentable. Everypony on deck was respectful, regardless of the fact he, even fully grown, was half their size or less. He’d earned it in their years of service to the crown as protectors of the cost. Even though technically they were privateers, the only ones that had to fear them were other, less honorable sea faring crews. Pirates and cutthroats, they were feared on the coastal areas. Rare they were and good at covering trail, but recently the attacks and raids had been less and less.

Things were changing in the world. Steam power was becoming more and more prevalent. At least in the sense of travel and business, merchant ships were faster now, harder for the pirates to catch, it was a bad time to be a brigand. Even the Royal Canterlot Fleet was now outfitted with steam engines to power their ships of the line. But even when offered, the Captain had turned them down. The Bonnie Lass was a ship unto its own. All sails and skill.

Truth be told as great as steam power was it was plagued with problems at sea. Something about the water didn’t agree with their systems. Blowouts were frequent. Corrosion was rampant if not caught quickly. Each ship of the line in the Canterlot Navy was fully outfitted with a special team of unicorns just to care for the engine rooms alone. It was a monumental task, one that the captain was not willing to maintain. His ship was faster than most of the fleet’s best. His crew was tight, and skilled. What they lacked in ponypower, they made up for in knowledge.

His crew was as different as steam was from sail too; Zebras, earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasai. Their backgrounds ranged just as much. Not all of them were equestrian background. The Zebras, for instance, hailed from a land far to the south past the Sea of Eternity. Twins, with a knack for solving tight spots and eyes of detail, Zanza was the oldest; his brother Danza was one minute younger. Both were of identical black and white stripe patterns, a rare occurrence in their species as he understood.

Then there was the Bull, the ships gunner, a giant of a creature, with horns to boot and a foul temper to back them. Bull listened to no one but the captain unless told to do so.

Next up was their surgeon, Quickfix, who most of them called ‘Quix’. A rough and tumble sorts with magic to heal anything but the most grievous of wounds in a jiffy. His white coat stood in relief against the dark tones of the ship.

Then there was their Master at Arms, Radko. A big earth pony with a deep navy coat and teal mane, he was a kind, quite but stern, sort and could hold attention when he spoke, his deep Hooviet Union accent saw to that. Perhaps the only other pony besides the captain that Bull would listen to.

Their lead storm watcher, a Pegasai, was an energetic young mare, Storm Wing; hailed from Windsoar. She was a magnificent weather Pegasus who had a gift of knowing what turns the weather both on sea and land would take, a valuable asset to his crew just like her partner Radko.

At the helm stood a unicorn, mare, purple coat, golden eyes and mane. Their best helmsstallion, or in this case helmsmare, next to the captain himself that is.
The rest of the crew was working about below decks and in the rigging. Most of the deck hands were newer to his ship. Good sailors though.

The Captain made his rounds, inspecting work and assisting himself where he could. Helping haul on ropes from the hold as they loaded the cargo more securely below decks. He helped Bull rotate one of the specialized canons at the front of the ship. A recent action had disabled the turntable it sat on. They’d acquired a new rotation mechanism while they were docked in New Saddle and it needed calibrating.

The ship itself was something the Captain was proud of. The Bonnie Lass was one of a kind compared to all the other ships in the Royal Navy. Sleek and fast. Speed was her tool, stealth her ally. Where many brigand ships were designed to be tough and large, the Bonnie Lass was quick and nimble, able to turn on a bit in calm or rough seas alike, her bark. The bite came from the 18 guns she housed. Eight stationed on her deck on either side. They did the main work when they were close to another ship. Six of them shot solid shot on either side, also able to be switched out for mast breaker shot as well if required.

Their up close and personal armament was a new style of cannon devised by their Technician, a Unicorn by the Name of Nixx. He called them blaze cannons. They fired gouts of flame, he’d explained it once, they really expelled a thick gel that upon contact with air ignited into flames. It was sticky and could wreak havoc on a hostile ship in close combat. The Captain had been stand offish about their installation in the beginning; for fear that it could also damage their own vessel. But Nixx had thought of that before hand and had provided the crew with a salve to scrub into the ships decking. Once they had properly applied it to the ship, and the wood absorbed it, the fire gel, even when ignited, simply slid right off the ship. The cannons were permanent now.

Back to the helm stood a unicorn; they were from the same town, they had grown up together. She had been one of his closest friends for most of his life. They were a lot closer than that now though, even with all his protest of her safety nothing he could say could keep her on land. But she was tough and had handled herself in many actions, sometimes better than the stallions! He looked back, she was already looking him in the eye and gave him a knowing wink. He smiled back and continued his task at hand.

The day had been full of exhaustive work. After their last action, they had stopped at the port of New Saddle to rearm and to grant his crew some much needed shore leave after their long time at sea. After a few days of rest and refit they were getting back into the groove that was sea life. Sails needed tending, rigs getting replaced with new rope and equipment. The food needed stored and sorted. As did the cannon powder, cannonballs, and fire gel. Once all was settled the crews would be released to have dinner and sleep. Night watch would be posted and anchor dropped. The next day would be spent running warm-ups for action to get the crew re-warmed for raising and lowering sails, cannon cycling, and proper boarding action repel response. It would be a grueling day of work but they would be better off for it. Preparation was the key to life and death at sea.
҉
Dinner was a rowdy occasion. There was a full spread of fresh food on the table before them. The grog was passed out heartily, the crew had earned it. They had ended up ahead of schedule by the end of the day. Everything was stored, the sails and rigging was tight, and it was all set and ready for sailing. The crew had worked hard and the Captain was proud. The cook had even outdone himself.

There was a hearty peel of laughter from down the table, the captain looked up from his own goblet to see their technician performing one of the crews favorite tricks of magic. They never seemed to tire of it. They all placed their goblets in the center of their table and then sat back in their chairs, quite as foals.

Nixx would lean forward, focusing on the circle of filled goblets and with a slight bit of concentration would cast his spell. The goblets levitated outward in a spinning circle, slowly at first then gaining speed as they began to circle their respective owner’s heads. At this point each crewmember would do their best not to move or blink. The first to do so ended up with a face full of grog. This would go on till the last cup of grog was still spinning, whoever was the last pony left would be declared the winner, each pony who had lost would then try to toss a bit into the cup as it slowed down, those who made it would get to save their bit, those who missed lost it to the pony with the grog.

The winner was usually their master at arms, they knew it too but they always tried their best to shake him, tonight was no different. They told jokes, offered payoffs, even went as far as to call him names and poke him with their food. He was a stallion of steel and would not be shaken though. And he rarely ever was. Tonight though the Captain, and the crew, were surprised though. After all their bantering and prodding they had finally given in and were readying their bits for the toss. None got a chance though. It was just before the cup slowed that Stormwing, Radko’s mare, cantered past and with a brush of her tail caused the unmovable stallion to blink and turn, just in time to catch the full cup of grog in his face. Hearty laughter tore through the cabin and they broke into their favorite drinking song.

What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
Early in the morning.

Way-hay, up he rises
Way-hay, up he rises
Early in the morning.

Put him in the long boat 'til he's sober
Pull out the bung and wet him all over
Put him in the scuppers with the deck pump on him
Early in the morning.

Way-hay, up he rises
Way-hay, up he rises
Early in the morning.

Heave him by the leg in a runnin' bowlin'
Tie him to the taffrail when she's yard-arm under
Put him in the bilge and make him drink it
Early in the morning.

Way-hay, up he rises
Way-hay, up he rises
Early in the morning.

Shave his belly with a rusty razor
Soak 'im in oil till he sprouts some flippers
Toss him in the brig with not a bit too swig
Early in the morning.

Way-hay, up he rises
Way-hay, up he rises
Early in the morning.

Put 'im in bed with the Captain's daughter
Put 'im in bed with the Captain's daughter
Put 'im in bed with the Captain's daughter
Early in the morning.

Way-hay, up he rises
Way-hay, up he rises
Way-hay, up he rises
Early in the morning.

The Captain found humor in the last verse, as he had no daughter, or children, to speak of yet. Regardless, they found great humor in the whole affair and once finished they broke into a fresh round of laughter and general humor. The rest of the dinner was just as rowdy and full of tom-foalery. The Captain was himself among the revelers, albeit, more reserved than the crew for good reason. After all, what good would a drunken Captain do for a ship? He did however join in for a few card games and story sharing.

Eventually the Captain sat back and observed the joy and laughter of his crew with a proud gleam in his eye, one could not ask for a better crew than these. As strange, quite, loud, brash, and odd some of them might be they were the best of the best as far as he was concerned. As he watched over his reveling crew the sound of hooves coming down the stairs caught his attention. He looked across the room to the stairs where he met the eyes of his helmsmare, she smiled and nodded to him, his cue it was time to retire for the evening. He stood and made his way across the deck, stopping to give word to his Master-at-Arms, Radko. “I retire for the evening, the ship is yours, and you know your job. Be gentle with my ship.” He said. Radko looked up from his card game and nodded in understanding.

The Captain made his way to the staircase and was greeted there by the mare, “I hope I did not pry you from pressing matters?” she said in good humor when looking at the scene. “No, not at all. The matters themselves are a pressing of an entirely different matter.” He replied, referring to a few of the drunken sailors with a smile. They proceeded up the stairs together but not before a loud voice shouted up to them in toast, “Oh Captain my Captain! May we ever sail the sea under your flag! To Captain Pip!” Shouted his Master-At-Arms, a rare thing indeed from a stallion so quiet, but his thick accent and boisterous toast threw the rest of the crew into it with their own toasts, “To Captain Pip and our Helmsmare Dinky! May they sail forever free!” Came the many voiced toast; then the final late toast as always from somepony in the back, “To the Bonnie Lass!” To which they all laughed and drained their cups. Captain Pip nodded his head in thanks and followed Dinky up to the top deck.

The night air was still crisp and warm, things were calm, another of their crew stood at the helm on watch. One of the Zebra twins he noted. A good choice, he looked to the prow and noted the other zebra twin, they were nigh inseparable. But he was at ease, with them on watch not even a fish could swim by without them knowing. He nodded to Dinky and she trotted ahead to the Captains quarters while he went to tell the twins he was retiring for the evening.

“I am calling it an evening; Radko has the ship, good evening gentleponies.” He said to them once they had both trotted to him.

“All shall be well; if there is trouble we have the bell.” Danza said, returning to the Helm.

“No worries to you Captian; we won’t let any harm happen.” Zanza said in equal rhyme as he trotted to the prow once more.

Pip, secure in the crew’s ability to care for the ship for the night, finally retired for the evening. Trotting into his cabin, he hung his sword and hat next to his bed as he did each night at sea. He was startled when he felt a warm nuzzle on his neck, but relaxed again and returned the nuzzle with affection.

Chapter 2: Light of Night, Dark of Day

The gentle thumping woke Pip first. He breathed in deeply; the fresh night air was not cold, but cool and crisp in his lungs. Pip rolled over to look through the slatted windows, instead his eyes roamed across the smooth curves of the mare next to him. Her soft purple coat shined in the light of the moon, a pulse of warmth drifted through his heart. Pip could imagine no better mare to have by his side than Dinky. He leaned over her carefully, so as not to wake her, nuzzling her shoulder gently.

There was another series of dull thumps. Pip, now more awake than before heard them clearer. What he had assumed was the night crew walking above was actually much farther off in the distance. There was a rap at the cabin door. “Captain.” Came the request from one of the Zebra twins. Pip could feel Dinky stir beside him. He looked over to her once more, she was slightly awake, heavy lidded but coherent. Her golden eyes reflected the low light, “What is it?” she mumbled. “Nothing, it’s ok. Go back to sleep love.” Pip whispered to her. He grabbed the blanket and covered her against the chill night air.

He tossed his hat onto his head with practiced ease and strapped his sword to his side. Pip glanced over at the sleeping Dinky once more to be sure of her, the gentle rise and fall of her sides told him she was once again asleep. Pip opened the door to his cabin and trotted out onto the deck, closing the door behind him.

The first thing he noticed was the fact it was not dawn, but rather it was still full dark. Pip made his way to the helm of the ship where the zebra Danza now stood. “What is it?” he asked. “I know not. Zanza made the spot.” Said the zebra; pointing in the direction of his brother. “Thanks.” Pip said and made his way to the other zebra that stood on the side of the ship. “What is it?” Pip asked once again. “Out there, flashes in the night. Something out there causes fright. Quickly now, that which you can see is near out of sight.” Zanza said. He proffered the spotting scope, to which Pip stepped up to and scanned the horizon. A minute passed before the Captain spotted anything. There was a series of bright flashes far in the distance. A few seconds later the series of thumps sounded again. “Cannons.” Pip whispered under his breath.

“Should we raise anchor and make way? I’m sure we could make it by first light of day.” Danza said from above. Pip mulled it over for a moment. Choices were hard when lives depended on it. But even given that Pip knew full well that even if they left now, the wind would not be enough to get them halfway there by daylight. Anyway, Stormwing had stated the day before during dinner that she felt the next day would bring strong winds, good for sailing. Pip knew that if they waited for daylight they would catch the winds as they picked up, they would cover twice the distance in half the time. Either way they would show up after whatever was happening was long gone. “No, leave anchor for the night. We wait till daybreak for more favorable winds. Waking the crew now would do us no good anyway. They need to sleep off the grog from dinner anyway. And whatever is going on will be gone either way when we arrive.” Pip replied in a measured but light tone.

“Very well, we will wait till first light. You know best Captain, now return to sleep this night.” Zanza said. Pip withdrew once more to his cabin. Things changed fast at sea, he never ceased to be amazed. Pip once again hung his sword and hat on the bedpost by his pillow. He then rolled lightly back onto the bed, doing his best not to wake Dinky. He looked over and was a bit surprised to see her eyes already wide open. “I guess I’m not as quite as I thought.” He said.

“No, no you’re not. At least when it comes to me that is.” Dinky replied. Pip laughed a small laugh of resignation. “I suppose you want to know what that was about.” He guessed. “I assume it had to do with the cannon fire.” she replied. Pip looked at his mare, always amazed at her ability to deduct a sound guess at events. “Yes, it was cannon fire, in the distance.” He replied. “So, are we going to set sail soon?” She asked.

“No. No, were going to wait for day. Stormwing is certain that the wind will be favorable and strong tomorrow. Either way, we will arrive after whatever happened is over. Were staying put for the night.” Dinky smiled at this and nuzzled him affectionately under his chin. Pip lay back down; Dinky, following suite, cuddling close to him and promptly falling asleep. The Captain was soon to follow.

҉
The morning was full of action. The crew was busy making sail to catch the rapidly growing wind. The ship was soon bedecked from prow to stern in dark red sail, each bit catching the wind fully. The Bonnie Lass was cutting through the water at an incredible rate. The Captain was well pleased with their current speed and heading, before the sun reached its zenith they would reach their destination. They had acquired their heading in the early hours of first daylight; it was a simple deduction for once. They were sailing straight towards the massive column of black smoke that had been rising into the sky all morning.

Pip stood beside the helm, looking over the charts and checking it against their current bearing. The first thing he noticed was that they were not heading towards the shore of Equestria, but rather away from it. Pip knew of no settlements past Canterbury, at least not in their easterly direction. The only land past there was a few uninhabited islands at the edge of Bridle Shores. None of which he thought could have been settlements. Never-the-less, that’s where the smoke was billowing out from, that, was there they were headed.

Radko was making his rounds about the deck; ensuring everypony was doing as they were expected. Some of them still had a bit of the grog about them from the previous nights partying. Being prone to listlessness, Radko had taken his duty up and did so well, soon the ones in question had become quite energized and now buzzed about the ship from one chore to the next. The deck of Bonnie Lass soon shined in the early sunlight. Captain Pip looked out across the open sea ahead. The smoke column was growing larger quickly. Whatever was burning was either very big, or there were lots of them. What they were sailing towards he had no idea.

Time quickly passed, they drew closer the far off destination. Everypony could smell the acrid smoke now. “Land ho!” came a shout from above. Pip looked up, it was Stormwing. The crew on deck trotted to the railings, eager to get a glimpse of what lie ahead. The Captain was no exception; he climbed nimbly half way up the rigging to get a better view. The wind was stronger up high and he had to be sure he had good hoofing before he looked outward. Indeed, he could make out land ahead and a massive black cloud as well. He climbed down and gave the order to pull in some sail, effectively slowing them down to a more maneuverable speed.

A few moments later they could see the full extent of the scene in front of them. There were two white keeled Canterlot Naval Cruisers anchored in the deep water nearby, the Royal Guard was quick to respond it would seem. Looking past them was a grim scene. The water all around them was littered with debris, lots of small flotsam, but a few hulking chunks of what looked like buildings floated past as well. The beach was a chaotic mess of ponies of all kinds. Many white coated medics ran to and fro like a snowstorm. There were so many wounded so many dead. Pip had never seen such a thing. And as if to punctuate it all, in the background a raging inferno burned, barely controlled by the unicorn fire response squads attempting to maintain it, angry flames roiled in all directions. Black smoke choking anything that dared to fly.

Suddenly from what Pip assumed was the command post there were three flashes of blue light. A friend or foe challenge. Before he could give the command the green flash response was given by Dinky, she was quick.

He noticed a yellow coated pegasai in shinning mail jet from the shore and head in their direction. “Prepare the longboat!” He shouted. The crew rushed to it and quickly had it ready and over the side for launch just as the pegasus touched down on their deck. “Captain, name is Windchaser. Command sent me to ask of your assistance. Anything you could offer would be much help, were short on hooves out here. Medical assistance, food, shelter, anything would be greatly appreciated.” Pip nodded in quick answer and started giving commands as the pegasus raced back to the beach. “Radko, Quix, Nixx, Your with me! Grab bandages, any food we can spare and some of our extra sailcloth, load it up, and move!” He raced up to the helm where Dinky stood watching the blaze. “You have the ship while I’m gone, It’ll be ok. If you need anything just flash the signal, Nixx or Quix will respond.” She nodded and went about giving commands to drop anchor and assist the launch team.

Shortly they were underway. They all, even Pip, rowed with all their might. They hit shore in just a few moments. There they were met by a Royal Guardspony, “Captain Pip I presume?” He said in a gravelly voice. “Yes, where am I needed?” he asked. The Guardspony looked around somewhat pointedly but somewhat unsure before replying. “Best you follow me back to command.” He said in uncertain tones. “Very well. Quix, do what you can to help with the wounded. Radko, help with the shelters and Nixx, do whatever you can to help get that blaze under control.” He gave out orders quickly before galloping after the Guardspony.

He arrived at the Forward Command Station within a couple moments. He was ushered inside quickly. Once inside the makeshift tent-building he was tossed into the thick of it, there were ponies going to and fro hastily from table to table, there were charts, figures, pictures, and so many voices. There was a pony in the back operating a telegraph and another next to him sealing letters and loading them into a satchel to be delivered elsewhere.

In the midst of it all stood a large brown pony. Bedecked in battle attire of plate and mail polished to a shine; he was going over a chart on the table in front of him, conversing with a group of Guardsponies. If not for all the commotion Pip would have been able to hear what he was telling them, but that was not an option in this case, the entire chaotic hubbub prevented that. But he didn’t need to, with a final clack of his hoof on the table the other ponies saluted and dismissed themselves from the tent to go about whatever it was he’d sent them to do.

The Commander, Pip could now see his rank on the shoulder of his hauberk, turned to him and greeted him with a manner less militant than he’d expected. “You must be Captain Pip of the Bonnie Lass. Correct me if I’m wrong.” Pip responded, “Nothing seems to escape you…” He trailed off in lack of a name. “Commander Thundergun. You can call me Thunder though. I’m in charge of the ships anchored outside. We have 3 more on the other side of the island.” He replied to the questioning tone.

“So Commodore?” Pip inquired. “Yes, if you wish to call me that instead.” Thunder replied. Pip chuckled. “So, what happened here? What do you need of my crew and I?” He asked. “Hm, a Captain that’s quick to the chase. Well I can see you will be right for the job then. What you see here is the wreck of one of our smaller lifting gas mines. The blaze you see raging is there from the flammable gasses that were ignited in last night’s attack. Normally it is a very stable gas, you could light a match in a room filled with it and have no ill effects, but something the attackers fired into the mineshafts was either reactive with it or burned hot enough to cause it to catch. What it is we do not know, all we know is the resulting blast leveled the village. We, as I’m sure you’ve seen, have many wounded civilians and a shortage of medics to tend to the more minor injuries.” He explained.

“I’ve brought my own surgeon to shore, he is proficient in medicine in a manner I’ve seldom ever witnessed, and I put him to work out there with your own field surgeons. I’m sure it’ll help. I’ve also set my technician off to see if there is anything he can do to help contain the blaze and my Master-at-Arms is assisting with more shelters for the wounded.” Pip informed the commander. “I’m impressed. You waste no time Captain. You’re proving to live up to my every expectation. To be honest I did not expect there to be any other ships out here. Least of all you and your rag tag crew, no offense meant. I’m gladly proven wrong. The help is much appreciated. We will see to it that your resupplied with anything of your own that you use to help us, in the very least. But soon I will have a much more pressing matter for you to assist me with.” He said cryptically.

Pip looked him in the eye, “What would that be?” He replied in an even tone. The stallion paused for a moment, looking Pip in the eyes. After a second of study he walked over to a box and pulled something out of it. Commander Thunder trotted back to the table and tossed a strange medallion onto it, sliding it over to pip.

Pip studied the medallion. It was tarnished; there was some sort of figure etched into its surface, what it was though he could not be sure. The leather strap was broken and crusted over with dry rot and salt. “What does flotsam have to do with any of this?” He asked, sure it was a joke of some sort. “That, my friend, is not flotsam or some long forgotten trinket. That is our one and only lead. One of the guards stationed here pulled that off one of the attackers. He gave it to me just before he passed of his injuries.” Thunder replied in all seriousness.

“My apologies, I meant no offense. So what is it? Do we have any details on the attackers? What they looked like? What kind of ship it was? Where they went after the attack?” Pip questioned.

“No, not much, that medallion and the simple description of the ship from survivors; we know it was large. Bigger than most of our ships, black, they claim it was not steam powered either, no signs of the technology, smoke or anything. It happened fast. They were here for something but we have not found what it was yet.” Thunder responded.

Pip looked to the medallion again. He wondered if Nixx would be able to glean anything from its ruined surface. The tech had a way with broken things. “May I take this with me?” He queried.

“Yes, that is why I gave it to you. That’s what I need your help with. The Royal Navy is still held up in port getting their steam engines installed. The ships you see out and around this island are the only ones we have been able to keep stable.” Pip was a bit surprised at hearing this bit of intel. “You are one of the only people in all of Equestria who know this information it’d be wise to keep it that way. Were in a potentially vulnerable position here, which is why we must keep our working ships close at hand.”

“Very well, I understand. So what is it you need from my ship and crew?” Pip Asked. The commander was quiet, thinking carefully of how to phrase his next words. “Put simply, I’ve been told to request you and your crew find the ship or ships responsible for this attack. Hunt them down and gather as much intel as you can on them. Who they are, where they make berth, anything and everything you can. We’ll supply you with food and fresh water before you leave here. While I was going to request your crew do what they can to help the situation here, I can see that you already started that.” He pointed to the beach where Quix could be seen directing the other doctors and nurses.

Nixx had devised some sort of water cannon and was currently duplicating them along the shore, already they were helping contain the blaze a little better than before. Radko could be seen with another group of stallions raising a larger shelter tent, already there were at least four new shelters up. “Your crew seems to be quite effective at working under pressure. My men could learn something from that. Feel free to stay through the night here. You have all learned it.”
Captain Pip was glad his crew was proving helpful. However, he much preferred to get under way as quickly as possible. “I thank you for the offer sir but I feel we’ll make better time if we get underway as quick as we can.” He replied to Thunders offer.

“Well, I can certainly respect that as a fellow Captain. However, seeing as though we have no lead, your crew will be quite exhausted from today’s action, and the fact that we have yet to get you resupplied I must question what exactly it is you wish to achieve.” He said in a concerned but stern tone.

Pip thought about that for a moment. It was sound logic, no point in pushing his crew harder when they had been undergoing grueling work already. “Very well, we shall stay this night. But I wish to leave as soon as we can tomorrow.” He countered.

“How does first light sound, we can get you supplied this evening and then give your crew some time to rest. Perhaps even some time to do some digging on what you can find here.” Thunder said.

“That will do nicely. I’ll be quick to spread the word and will find something I and the rest of my crew can help with.” He said, satisfied.

“Then be on your way. And thank you for your timely assistance Master Pip.” Thunder replied in a dismissive, kind, tone.

With that Pip made his way to the exit, stashing the weathered medallion into his pack with care not to bring more harm to it. He worked his way down to where they had beached the longboat; two of his crew was with it to make sure it didn’t get lifted by anypony in need of a ride. “Take the boat; tell the crew we rest here for tonight, anypony not needed on deck is to report immediately to shore to help wherever they are needed. We leave at first light tomorrow.” He said. They nodded understanding and moved hastily to the longboat and from there to the ship.

Shortly there were three longboats making their way to shore where they deposited their crews. Three ponies stayed behind to guard the craft. Shortly he could see his crew mingled in with all the other ponies on the beach, providing what help they could where they were needed, some of them even got conscripted by the Navy to assist with search and rescue efforts both at sea and on land. The blaze had abated somewhat, it was no longer threatening the makeshift tent housing. Never-the-less though it was still a raging inferno, flames towering into the sky, billowing black smoke blotting out the noonday sunlight. It was still a chaotic, noisome mess all about the island, debris was strewed everywhere, and everypony was assisting when they could in clearing it, both from land and sea. The Navy had requisitioned the one remaining barge and had rigged it with a crane; they used it to pluck the largest debris from the water.

Pip set off, trying to ignore the quickly growing number of body bags spread along the stretch of shore where the infirmary was located. It was a harrowing sight, so many ponies, even griffins and a number of other creatures that had worked at the station. Never before had he seen such meaningless mayhem. Sure he’d been in his share of naval combat, even sunk a few ships that refused to surrender. He’d lost good ponies and seen many more die in combat or from its results, but this was truly a terrible scene to witness.

He made himself useful clearing debris to make room for more shelters on the other side of the beach. It was tough, grueling work, but he would not be where he was now if tough work scared him off. Soon they had a mess hall, and sleeping quarters set up for all the ponies that needed it, which were many. The sun was dipping down behind the clouds when things started to calm down. The body count had dropped; fewer and fewer new bodies came in every hour. It seemed that they were doing well with the remaining patients.

Radko and his workgroup had made at least eighteen shelter buildings. The stallion was beat. They all were. All around the beach one could see the fatigue setting in rapidly. The water cannon crews were the only ones who seemed unaffected by the strain of the work. He wondered if it didn’t have something to do with the still blazing inferno or if perhaps they had some supply of wakewort, or some other stimulant provided to them. All he knew is that the fire was still present, the black billowing smoke still pouring fourth into the evening sky effectively hiding the stars.

Night fell on the shore. The fire was still going but it was not spreading any longer. It provided an eerie glow on the shore around them, and orange glow to the dark night. His crew was given a shelter of their own near their boats, most of them already slept within. A few however still helped with the few tasks still being carried out. Such as Radko, who’d returned to the ship to oversee the resupply; it was in its finishing stages now.

There was a crunch behind him, he turned to see Nixx approaching. The tech smelled of smoke and was covered in grime. “You look well worn. How goes the fight?” Pip asked in a curious tone.

“I’ve done all I can. Their own techs will be able to duplicate my craft now that I’ve taught them. It’s simple work. They will have the fire out by dawn if they work as hard as they have been today. What of you? Did the commander have anything to say? Do they know who it was?” He returned.

Pip rummaged into the pouch on his side, pulling forth the medallion. He set it on a log next to him so Nixx could see it. “Have you ever seen anything like this?” He asked. The tech stepped up to the log and inspected the medallion in the light that played of its tarnished surface from the fire. Nixx gave it a good once over with some sand and then a rag, very little was taken from its surface. Still he looked closer at it before tossing it back to Pip. “Nope, never, do you know?” He asked.

“Not a clue. However, it’s our only lead currently. That and hearsay of a black ship, a large black ship. That’s all. Whoever is responsible for this is good at covering their tracks…” Pip said. Nixx nodded in understanding. He then trotted into the shelter and promptly fell asleep. This left Pip on the shore watching the slow bustle of evening activity between ships and crew. Something about all this set his mind on edge. In all his years of employment to the crown he’d never encountered something like this. There were too many uncertainties, not enough information. But even with that he was eager to get under way. An enemy like this was exactly what he was ready for. He just wondered if the rest of the crew would be up to the challenge and danger.

Pip sat on the beach for a good while, pondering all of what would be needed and demanded of his crew and his ship in the time to come. A pony of lesser constitution would probably shy away from a challenge like this. Not Pip though. Even with the uncertainties he was eager for a new challenge. But he was still nervous, placing the lives of everypony on board always made him nervous, even knowing that they would lay their lives on the line to defend Equestria, their ship and their crewmates. His mind was racing in a million directions.

Something caught his eye in the mist of all these thoughts. A gleam, something floating in the night sky, what it was though he could not tell; he watched carefully, trying to catch a glimpse of it again. The gentle night breeze drifted past him, moving the clouds and smoke enough that the moon was now visible. He lost track of whatever it was for a moment. He was startled when he noticed it again, this time it was balanced on the tip of his nose. Causing him to almost go cross eyed. It instantly calmed him though. The bubble reflected the moonlight off its shinny surface. It didn’t pop when he moved to look around, instead it drifted off, it was only then he noticed the little cloud of bubbles that floated around him. It would seem he wasn’t the only one still awake, The bubbles drifted back out to sea, leading his gaze to his ship, he could just make out the purple unicorn standing at the helm where the bubbles now floated.