Adventures Aboard the R.E.S. Rising Moon

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7

Chapter 1

Departure
Afternoon

Twilight attempted to swallow down the knot of nervous excitement that had formed in her throat as she trotted toward the docks. Never having been on an airship, nor having passed Equestria's borders, did nothing to quell her rising anxiety.

She had been ecstatic at first, finally having a royal duty that didn't involve the endless reading of tax reports and the management of budgets. Twilight had never once thought that she could get bored of managing things, but after three straight weeks of stack after stack of paper, she was overjoyed at the notion of getting out of the castle. Then she thought about it. She had only ever met a griffon on two occasions and other than what she learned in history class, she knew next to nothing about the country; so she had spent the last month learning everything she could possibly find about the country and its leaders. She had even found several fascinating books in the Canterlot Library of Magic that described the types of magic griffons were able to manipulate.

After a month of study, the time to travel to the Griffon Commonwealth had arrived, and now Twilight was stepping onto the docks where she saw the ship she would be travelling on: the R.E.S. Rising Moon. From the middle of the hull downward, the ship was a dark brown, the beams curving gently from the base to form the hull. Along the middle of the ship, a few more than a dozen open portholes dotted the Rising Moon's sides, outlined by a long white stripe. Her eyes followed the stripe to the bow, where a delicately carved figurehead rested below the bowsprit. The ornament was a depiction of an alicorn, wings outstretched, bringing a small wooden moon into the sky. She craned her neck to see the top of the tall masts running up towards the giant balloon hovering above the ship. Between each mast, ropes criss-crossed through the air like a spider's web. Several birds were perched on the yard beams of the three masts. Pegasi drifted through the air around the balloon and sails, securing braces and halyards.

Twilight turned her attention forward as she approached the Rising Moon and caught a glimpse of Captain Cloud, who was easily recognizable by his bright pink mane and tail standing out in stark contrast to his green fur. She was barely able to see him through the groups of sailors hustling among the piles of stacked up crates and barrels that littered the dock. Cloud was standing next to a light brown unicorn wearing a wide blue hat with whom Twilight was unfamiliar.

Twilight began to make her way towards the ship, weaving through the hills of crates and dodging around the ponies moving cargo around the dock. As she drew near the Rising Moon, through the din of the sailors calling to each other and the groans of ponies hefting cargo around the port, Twilight was also able to catch the softer sound of Luna's voice from somewhere ahead of her. She lifted herself onto the tips of her hooves, still barely able to see over the heads of the crowd. After a few moments, she spotted Celestia's long horn and sparkling mane standing out above everyone. She and Luna were standing by the ramp talking quietly, wearing their characteristic smile and frown respectively. While Celestia was dressed normally, Luna wasn't wearing her crown or any of the royal vestments she typically wore, and her mane was pulled back into a ponytail. Twilight swivelled her ears forward and attempted to tune out the rest of the chaos as she came closer to the princesses, and she was able to make out what Luna was saying.

“Are you sure Twilight is ready for this? She has been a princess for less than a year and has never taken part in any diplomatic missions.” Twilight stopped, folding her ears down; she had thought Luna wanted her to come. Twilight ducked behind some nearby barrels and peaked her head over to hear Celestia's reply.

“Yes, I'm quite sure. Twilight has never failed me before and I have faith that she will succeed in this as well. Do you have reason to doubt her?”

“No, of course not, it’s just that maybe her first mission shouldn't be something so critical.”

Celestia put a hoof on Luna’s shoulder, “I understand your concern, but Twilight is ready. I’m sure of that. Besides, you'll be there each step of the way to help her.” Luna gave her sister a small smile and a short hug, and then she headed towards the boarding ramp.

As Luna trotted away Twilight stood up from behind the barrels, startling a passing earth pony. She apologized quickly and then made her way over to Celestia, who was now reading the envelope of a letter that she was holding in her shiny golden aura. She didn't notice Twilight approach until she stopped next to her and spoke.

“Good morning, Princess Celestia,” Twilight said, grinning broadly at her mentor. Celestia set the letter down on a crate next to her and then turned to Twilight.

“And to you as well, Twilight. Are you ready to begin your journey?”

“Well almost; I had my things brought down to the docks earlier but I don't see them here. Were they put on board?” Twilight asked, trying to look nonchalant as she scanned the docks for her luggage. Somepony tell me they didn't get lost! she thought.

“Yes, everything was taken to your cabin. Now before you go, I have two things for you. First, here’s a letter from Shining Armor and Cadence; they weren’t able to come here to see you off, so they sent this,” Celestia floated the letter from the barrel over to Twilight. She took it with her magic and inspected it for a moment. The envelope was still sealed, the wax was stamped down with the Crystal Empire's royal seal. Twilight opened her saddlebag and did some quick rearrangements, moving her shimmering crown to the side for a moment to allow room to tuck the letter between two of her books.

“I’ll read it as soon as I have a moment to myself,” Twilight promised, closing her saddlebag.

“Of course, now the second thing, you-”

“Twilight! There ya are. We looked all over Canterlot for ya!” Applejack called as she, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy tackled Twilight in a massive group hug. Twilight unfurled her wings and wrapped them around her friends.

“You made it! I was worried you wouldn't be able to come,” Twilight said with a huge smile.

“Of course we made it! There was simply no way we were going to miss such an important occasion,” Rarity said as the group hug dissolved. "Your first official task as a princess! It's all quite exciting."

"Well it would have been a bit more exciting if you had been able to give a little more detail in your letter," Fluttershy added.

"Yeah! We don't even know where you're going," Pinkie Pie said. She put her hooves on Twilight's cheeks and looked her, very seriously, in the eyes. "And if we don't know where you're going, how are we going to send you letters, and if we can't send you letters, then how will you know what we're doing?" She shook Twilight violently and yelled, "How will you remember us!?"

Twilight rolled her eyes and gently pulled Pinkie's hooves off of her face. "Pinkie, we’ve been over this. I’m not going to forget you.” Then she looked back at Celestia and asked, “may I tell them where I’m going?"

"I don't see the harm in it."

"Thanks." Twilight turned back to her friends. "I couldn't say anything in the letter just in case it got into the wrong hooves. I'm going to the Griffon Commonwealth. While I'm there I'll be working out a peace treaty and trade agreements with the Griffon royalty. We'll also take a look at their colonies and hopefully remove the bars on their expansion."

“Why would somepony build a pub on top of their colonies?" Pinkie asked, scratching her head. Rarity put a hoof on Pinkie's shoulder and smiled.

"Not that kind of bar, darling. She means removing legal barriers."

"Oh, well why didn't ya just say so?" Pinkie Pie smiled and sat back, resting contentedly on her haunches as they all shared a laugh.

Twilight looked around at her friends, then frowned. “Wait, where’s Rainbow?”

“Oh, she wasn't able to make it," Rarity answered. "She just got her orders a few days ago. She had to join the Wonderbolts for her first assignment.”

"Yeah, after getting top marks on pretty much everything at the academy, she's gotta accompany them on some sorta mission so they can see her in real action and evaluate whether she is actually Wonderbolt material," Applejack said, waving her hoof in the air as she explained.

"Oh, that's great!" Twilight said, then sighed, poking a hoof at the ground, “I just wish you had all been able to come..." Twilight felt a hoof prodding her shoulder and heard a familiar voice.

“Why would I come to say goodbye if I’m coming with you?”

Twilight spun around to see Rainbow Dash standing right behind her, head cocked and a satisfied smirk painted across her face. “Wh-what are you doing here?” Twilight managed to say.

“I think I can explain,” Celestia cut in. She stepped next to Twilight and gestured towards the boarding ramp, where Spitfire and the Wonderbolts, along with their other trainee, Lightning Dust, were climbing onto the ship, “This is the second thing I had to tell you. Since you have yet to select your royal guard, I am sending the Wonderbolts to be your escort during this trip.”

“This is wonderful news! Thank you Princess,” Twilight squeaked out.

“You’re quite welcome. I couldn't think of a better guard than the most loyal pony in Equestria," Celestia said.

"I've got to go, everypony else is already on board,” Rainbow said after glancing over to where the rest of her team had been a few moments ago. She grunted as she hefted her bulging saddlebag and slung it over her back. “We’ll be back before you know it, so… yeah, you know,” Rainbow fidgeted for a moment and then gave each one of her friends a quick hug, then trotted over to the ramp and started toward the deck. “See ya on the ship, Twilight!” Then she disappeared in the crowd.

By this point, the docks had mostly cleared off, with only Captain Cloud, the brown unicorn, and a few other crew members were still on the dock. The two officers trotted over to the mares as the last few supplies were loaded onto the ship. Both ponies were the blue officers' overcoats and bicorn hats; the unicorn's horn protruding from the hole in the forward arm of the hat. They snapped salutes and then Captain Cloud spoke.

“All crew and supplies are on board and stowed away; we are ready to depart on your word, Princess,” he said, addressing Twilight.

“Thank you, Captain. May I have just a moment?” Twilight asked.

“Of course your majesty, I will be on board. We will disembark as soon as you join us.” The captain saluted the princesses again, gave Twilight’s friends a respectful nod, and then trotted up the ramp and onto the ship, the unicorn close behind.

Twilight turned to her friends, the best friends a pony could ask for. “I’m going to miss you all,” she said, her eyes welling with tears. She swept them all up in another hug, doing her best to capture everything about them that she could and lock it deep within her mind.

“We'll miss you too,” Fluttershy said quietly.

“Yeah, it’s like Rainbow said! You’ll be back before we know it, and then you will have all sorts of super-duper fun stories to tell us!” Pinkie Pie giggled and then reached behind her and, seemingly out of nowhere, pulled out a bright pink box with a sparkly purple ribbon, “OH! And I almost forgot; here are some cupcakes for you to enjoy on the trip!”

“Thank you, Pinkie. This is perfect,” Twilight responded, trying to keep the hint of sadness out of her voice as she picked up the box with her magic. “I guess I shouldn't keep them waiting any longer.” She looked at her friends one last time and then turned towards the ramp.

"Twilight, wait!" Twilight cringed as Spike dashed out from behind a crate and latched his claws tightly around her back leg. "I almost couldn't bring myself to say goodbye, but please don't go. Somepony else can take care of it, right?" Spike pleaded.

"I'm sorry, Spike. I have to do this." Twilight looked at him with a comforting smile. " And besides. It's not really goodbye, I'll be back in a few months. There's nothing to worry about.

"I know, but why can't I come with you?" Spike released his grip on her leg and took a step back.

"Oh, Spike, I wish you could, but this might be dangerous. And besides, you don't want to sit there while I talk to a bunch of silly old griffons do you?"

"Yes, I do! I can take notes for you, I could, uh, I could carry your saddlebag!" He scrambled to take Twilight's bag from her back. She gently put him back in front of her with her magic.

"And you'd be a great help too."

"See, even you can’t deny it. You’d be a wreck without my help,” Spike said matter-of-factly, crossing his arms in victory.

"Well, I guess if you really want to come I’ll just tell Rarity that you don’t want to take up her offer..." Twilight said as a sly grin spread across her face.

"What’s that now?"

"Oh, you know. Rarity said that you could stay with her while I was gone, but if you’d rather come with me..."

"Really?!" Spike's face lit up.

"Yes, really. Oh, well. If you’re coming with me then I guess we should get going. C’mon, Spike.”

“Actually, I think it would be better if I stay here!” he said quickly. “I mean, it’s such a generous offer, it’d be rude not to accept, right?”

"Alright, if you’re sure." Twilight said with a smile, then looked back over to the Rising Moon. "I need to get going, alright?"

"Alright.”

“I’ll miss you,” she said, giving him short hug, then she got to her hooves and made her way towards the ship and met Celestia by the boarding ramp.

“Don’t worry, Twilight. Your friends will be here waiting for your return, as will I. This is going to be unlike any other adventure you've been on before, but I have complete confidence that you will succeed.” Twilight's heart soared with pride. Celestia leaned down and embraced Twilight, holding her tight for a moment. Then she stepped back, smiled and said, "Good luck, Twilight."

"Thank you, Princess." Twilight turned and picked up her hoof to step onto the ramp but she hesitated. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, the let it out and set her hoof onto the ramp. The gangplank creaked a little as she trotted across to the ship. She stepped onto the crowded deck and looked around while a couple of ponies retracted the gangplank. All across the deck ponies began to move to their stations. Twilight carefully made her way between the crew and the cannons resting at the railings, moving towards to the aft castle where Luna and Captain Cloud were speaking, next to the helm of the ship. She trotted up the short staircase and then across to where they stood.

“Are you ready to go?” Luna asked.

Twilight nodded, then moved to the starboard railing, and gazed over towards her friends and mentor. The captain signaled to the dockworkers to release the mooring lines and locks keeping the ship in place. Several lines were connected to pegs in the rear and several teams of pegasi were secured to tow ropes to drag the ship, backwards, out of the port.

“Hold on,” Luna’s voice came from right beside Twilight, who hadn't noticed that the blue mare had followed her to the rail.

“What do you-?” The ship lurched forward as the pegasi tugged on the lines, cutting off the rest of Twilight’s question and yanking her hooves out from under her, sending her spinning towards the ground, cupcakes flying off her back and legs scrambling for purchase on the deck. She closed her eyes as the deck came rushing up towards her. She abruptly stopped tumbling and opened her eyes. Wreathed in Luna’s dark blue aura, Twilight was rotated right side up and she placed her hooves on the deck and the pink box returned to her back. The ship slowed and leveled out as the balloon caught it, suspending it in the air. The towing teams began the process of dragging the Rising Moon to a position where the crew could take control of it's movement.

“Are you okay?” Luna asked, trying —and failing— to stifle a giggle, a smile slowly creeping its way across her face. She hadn't released the aura surrounding Twilight yet. “It may take awhile to acquire your 'air' legs; until then, I suggest staying close to a railing.”

“Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.” Her face flushed as she looked down, trying to avoid he amused glances of the crew. “Could you show me to my cabin?”

“Of course, follow me.” Luna stepped past her and towards the stairs. “Captain, if you have need of us, we will be in our quarters.”

“Very well; I will send somepony down later to make sure you are settling in properly,” Captain Cloud responded.

“Thank you, Captain,” Luna said as she started down the steps.

Twilight turned to follow Luna and then stopped. She took one last look at the docks where her friends still stood, shrinking into the distance, as the unfurled sails caught the wind and pulled them out into the open sky.

“Are you coming, Twilight?” Luna asked from the top of the stairs. Twilight tore her gaze away from Canterlot and nodded.

Chapter 2

Day 1
Afternoon

Twilight stepped through the door from the weather deck into a short hallway and followed Luna down the corridor towards the aft of the ship. Luna turned to the right and continued past a set of double doors at a 'T' shaped intersection.

"What's in there?" asked Twilight, nodding at the doorway.

"That's the great cabin, the captain's quarters in other words. As VIPs we will be serviced by the captain's cook and we may take our meals with him in there. He may also occasionally entertain the officer's as well." Luna responded. She went a little further down the hall and pointed her hoof to a door on the right side of the hall. “These are the VIP cabins and this is your room. All your things are already in here. And this one is my cabin,” she said, indicating the door on the opposite side of the hall, just across from Twilight’s. She set her hoof back down and said, “I am going to go to speak to the captain. I want to know the exact course he has plotted, so I’ll be on the bridge deck if you need me.”

"The bridge deck?" Twilight asked as she walked next to the rooms Luna had pointed to.

"The deck with the helm, where we just were with the captain, we're directly beneath it right now."

"Ah, ok. Is it possible for me to get a tour of the ship later? I have never been on one before," Twilight said. If I'm going to be living on this ship for several months then I might as well learn something about it.

"Of course, I can arrange something. For now, take your time to get settled. It will be a while before dinner, so if you wish for something to eat before then, just let one of the crew know, and they will be able to assist you," Luna said, then stepped past Twilight and trotted back towards the weather deck.

Twilight turned and pushed open the door to her room and poked her head in through the doorway. A shaft of light streamed in from a porthole window on the far wall. There was a small chest under the window next to a writing desk, over which hung an unlit lantern. Tiny specks of dust floated around the room, visible in the beam of sunlight let in through the window. As Twilight walked in, she noticed a short, wide bookshelf adjacent to the wall next to the door. A bed was tucked in the corner of the room directly across from the door. The bed was neatly made and her bags were lying at its base.

She laid her saddlebag and the cupcakes on the desk and opened her bag. She levitated the two books out and placed them on the far corner of the desk, then set her crown on top of them. Twilight moved over to her bags and began unpacking them. She spent a few minutes arranging and rearranging her belongings in the chest and desk drawers. After she finished, she sat and looked around one more time, making sure everything was where she wanted it. Satisfied, she picked a book about Commonwealth politics off the shelf with her magic.

As she was walking to the table, there was a knock on the door. Twilight placed the book on her desk, then opened the door. Spitfire was standing in the hall wearing the golden armor that was standard to the royal guard, though it was a lighter version, made up of flexible, interlocking plates allowing for a wider range of movement during flight. She had a musket slung over her shoulder, and a long blade ran along the edge of each of her wings.

“Hello Spitfire. What can I do for you?” Twilight said, gesturing for her to come in. Spitfire stepped into Twilight’s room and stood next to her bed. She glanced around the small space quickly then looked at Twilight.

“I would like to discuss my team's duties with you, to make sure we’re on the same page,” Spitfire said.

"Of course, anything you need.”

"As your escort, our primary concern is going to be your safety. There are six of us, so it won’t be hard to keep at least one of us with you at all times. We should be relatively safe until we leave Equestrian air space, and even then there are not many creatures out there that would tangle with an Equestrian warship. I realize that you are in little to no danger here on the ship but we are taking the precaution of having a guard with you anyway. We will do our best to keep out from under your hooves so long as you don’t needlessly risk your life.”

“Hm, that shouldn't be too hard to do, but at all times? So, no privacy then?” Twilight said, giving a nervous smile.

“We won’t follow you into your room or the privy at least, unless asked or if we feel as though your life is in danger. Well, we probably still won’t follow you into the privy, even if you ask,” she said jestingly. “That’s all Princess, unless you have any questions for me.” Spitfire turned towards the door but stopped to wait for Twilight’s leave to exit her room.

“I do have one question,” Twilight said.

“Of course, what is it?”

“How’s Rainbow Dash been? I haven't gotten to see her for a while, since I've been at the castle.”

Spitfire smiled and said, “She's doing great, fits right in with the team," Spitfire pointed down with her hoof as she continued, "She was down on the berth deck when last I saw her, setting her things up with the rest of the team. I gave her and Lightning Dust the rest of the day to get settled before we begin regular drills tomorrow. I’m sure she’ll come up to see you soon, so she can talk to you herself. She's always bragging about her friends, and herself of course."

"That's good to hear," Twilight said with a laugh.

"My pleasure. Well, if that's all, I'll be taking the first shift. I'll be out here if you need me."

Twilight thanked her and she left, closing the door behind her. She trotted back over to her desk and sat down, opening her book. She flipped back to where she had left off the day before, propped her chin upon her hooves, and began to read. Her eyes drifted over the words but they quickly lost their focus as her mind was slipped into thoughts of the trip ahead and the task she was assigned. She sighed and placed the book back on the shelf, then opened the door and walked into into the hallway, but stopped when Spitfire turned and looked at her. She stood in the doorway for a moment, one forehoof raised as if to step forward. An awkward, silent moment passed, before Twilight said, “I, um… I’m going to the outside for some air.”

“Alright,” Spitfire replied. Twilight hesitated another moment, “You don’t have to get my permission go anywhere on the ship, Princess. I will simply follow you when you leave. Just pretend that I’m not here.” Spitfire stepped to the side of the hall to give Twilight room to pass.

“Oh, ok. Thank you,” Twilight said with a sheepish grin as she walked past her into the hallway.

She squinted as she arrived on the weather deck and raised a hoof to shade her eyes from the bright sunlight; she let her eyes adjust for a moment then took a look around the ship. All the lines had been tied down, having no need to adjust the sails and rigging for the moment and the sails ruffled quietly in the gentle breeze as they pulled the ship away from Canterlot. The deck was bustling with dozens of ponies, mostly pegasi, going about their routine jobs on the ship, the sound of their hoofsteps and wingbeats filled the air with noise. A few ponies were relaxing near the edges of the ship, next to the rails, staying out of the ways of the ponies who were working. A couple of officers trotted around the deck keeping an eye on everything, occasionally calling an order to one of the crew or speaking to each other in passing. At the bow of the Rising Moon she could see a squad of Marines, all dressed in their dark green uniforms and tricorn hats, running drills. The sergeant barked orders at the Marines as they performed exercises with their muskets.

Twilight trotted up the stairs to the aft castle, drawing a few quick salutes from ponies as she passed. She glanced down over the side towards the hundreds of miles of countryside stretched out, seemingly without end, before her; the landscape was dotted with settlements, surrounded by farms and woodlands.

As she reached the top of the stairs she saw Luna with Captain Cloud and the brown unicorn she had noticed earlier
earlier, standing around a map that was laying on a barrel near the helm. The unicorn shifted to the side to allow Twilight room to see. Cloud nodded to her as she stepped up to the map but continued speaking. Twilight was able to see, now, that he was pointing to a large highlighted area in the south-western part of the Shimmering Sea, just outside of the Horseshoe Bay.

“We are going to be taking the Eastern Trade Route for most of the journey then we will make the turn north to the capitol, here,” Cloud said, tracing his hoof along a dotted line that ran from Equestria to the Badlands, south of the Commonwealth. “We will be able to resupply at Trotuga, and then continue on to the Commonwealth in short order. After we conclude our business there, we will make use of the winds blowing down from the northern reaches to make our way back to Equestria. It will be approximately a two month round-trip, give or take a few weeks, plus the time we spend in the capitol itself.”

“Will weather present a problem?” Luna asked.

“It shouldn’t, not at this time of year at least. The skies should be relatively calm the whole way,” the captain responded as he began rolling up the map.

“And what about pirates?” Twilight said, “Could they cause us trouble?”

“Um, not likely your Highness,” the thus far unnamed unicorn said, shaking his head, “They would have mostly moved on to southern skies and waters by this time of year for richer pickings. Arabian merchants will have just finished selling their wares for this year, and the ships that carried them will coming back from Equestria, the Commonwealth and elsewhere, laden with gold from their sales. And even if there are any pirates on our route, they wouldn't be too keen on attacking a frigate of the Royal Equestrian Navy.”

“Good. Thank you,” Twilight said, as she stepped away from the barrel. She looked back to him, “I never got your name.”

“Oh, of course. “ He removed his hat with his magic and bowed low. “First Lieutenant Shake Spear, highness, at your service.”

Twilight smiled and replied, “A pleasure to meet you.”

“Likewise, ma’am.” He placed his hat back on his head and trotted away, down to the half deck. Captain Cloud waved Twilight over with his hoof.

“Princess,” he said with a short bow, “Luna has brought it to my attention that this is your first time aboard an airship and that you are interested in learning more about them. I have arranged for one of our officers to give you a tour of the ship." He turned to one of the nearby cabin colts and said, "Pass the word to Mr. Thunderlane, if you please, Princess Twilight is ready for him." The young stallion nodded and galloped away.

“Thunderlane?” Twilight asked.

“Yes, he’s our weather specialist. Do you know him?” Cloud replied, turning back to her.

“We’re acquainted. I met him last year in Ponyville. He was going to help send water to Cloudsdale, but he got sick.” Twilight explained. "I knew he was in the military, but I wasn't aware that this was his post," she said with a shrug.

“Well, that saves you some time on introductions then,” the captain said.

A black pegasus landed lightly a few meters away, his mohawk style mane fluttering in the breeze. Thunderlane trotted over to Twilight and bowed low as she said, “hello, Thunderlane, it’s nice to see you again.”

“You too, Twilight. I didn't think that you would remember me,” he said as he stood back up. “I’m glad to see that you do.”

“Well, you are in capable hooves, Princess. Have fun,” the captain said. He nodded to Spitfire, then followed Luna towards the taffrail.

“Now, is there anywhere in particular you would like to begin?” Thunderlane asked.

“Well, how about right here? We can just go from top to bottom.”

“As good a plan as any, I suppose. Some general info about the ship: the Rising Moon is a frigate, which means we only have one gun deck and the ship is smaller and faster than most others, not to mention more maneuverable. Right now, we are on the aft-castle, specifically, the bridge deck. The helm, there-” he pointed to the pegged wheel where Shake Spear and the helmspony stood, “is used to steer the ship. It is linked to the rudders, on the back of the ship and on the balloon, and the terilev generators on the orlop deck, the lowest deck of the ship.”

“I’m sorry, the what? Terilev?” Twilight asked, raising an eyebrow.

“It short for Terinthium Crystal Artificial Lift Generator. They are what allow us to maneuver in the air and it helps the
balloon keep us afloat. “I’ll tell you more about those when we get to them.” He looked back out over the ship and thought for a moment.

“There’s not much else to say about this deck. I’m sure you know what the masts and sails are. The anchors are located on the bow and the hatch behind the mast leads down to the gun deck, then to the berth deck. Oh, and those cannons are used for shooting things,” he said with a chuckle, pointing down to the guns lining the sides of the ship. “We can head to the next deck whenever you’re ready.” Thunderlane trotted over to and down the stairs to the quarter deck; Twilight followed closely, Spitfire behind her.

Rainbow Dash and Lightning Dust landed several meters ahead of Twilight and Thunderlane, laughing and hoof bumping each other. Twilight frowned at the sight of Lightning but trotted over to speak with Rainbow anyway. I can't believe that careless pegasus was still allowed to finish training. Twilight thought as Rainbow met her halfway across the quarterdeck.

“Hey Twilight, how’s it going? What are you guys doing?” Rainbow asked. Twilight forced a smile to her face.

“Thunderlane is giving me a tour of the ship,” Twilight said, indicating her tour guide.

“Oh, cool! Could we tag along?” Rainbow asked, grabbing Lightning Dust by the shoulder with her hoof.

“Sure you can," she replied. She pointed down with her hoof and said, "we were just about to head below, to the next deck,” She turned back to Thunderlane and they all followed him to the companionway in the middle of the quarterdeck. He opened it, revealing a set of steeply inclined stairs leading into down into the ship.

Twilight squinted as she entered the lower decks. There was light streaming in from the gun ports but it was still darker than on the weather deck. After her eyes adjusted, she could see that there were cannons lining each wall resting about a meter back from each window, cables connecting them to pulleys on the wall. Several other ponies were there as well, performing various tasks. Nopony seemed to pay them any attention.

“This is the gun deck,” Thunderlane said as he led them into the room. He gestured with his hoof to the guns as they passed by the first few. “This is where the main battery is housed, as you can see. We have a total of forty guns, fifteen here on either side of the gun deck and five up on the weather deck. There's also one on either side of the bowsprit.”

“These are massive,” Rainbow said, mouth agape as she stood next to one of the large cannons, running her hoof over the smooth iron chase. “How far can it shoot?”

“These are twenty-four and eighteen pounders on this deck, so we can fire them, accurately at about two-two and a half kilometers,” Thunderlane answered.

“Yes, that’s right,” Thunderlane said. “It’s mostly used at close range. The powder magazine, where all the black powder and ammunition is stored, is two decks below us, just below the berth deck.” Thunderlane led them back towards the stairs and down to the next deck, which was considerably darker than the one they had just left. There were no windows and the only light came from several dim lamps spread throughout the deck. There were hammocks hung between each one of the beams on the deck. Dozens of ponies were lounging about in their hammocks or sitting on barrels and boxes, talking, reading, or playing games. The soft sound of a violin floated to Twilight’s ears from somewhere in the crowd. A call came out from within the coterie of ponies.

“Royalty on deck!”

Everypony in sight scrambled to bow to Twilight, several boxes getting knocked over in the process, spilling playing cards across the floor. Twilight blushed and smiled. After a few seconds she glanced around, but nopony made a move to get up. She turned to Rainbow, who just looked back at her and shrugged, helplessly. Twilight gave a heavy sigh and stepped forward.

“I, um, thank you all for your warm welcome,” she said softly. She cleared her throat and then continued, louder, “But this really isn't necessary. We are probably going to bump into each other many times on this trip; such formalities would just become a hassle if they had to be performed every time you saw me. So, um… at ease.”

The crew slowly began standing up and going back to where they had been previously. Lightning Dust chuckled at the inelegant speech. Twilight glared at her, ears flat on her head, her face flushing..

Thunderlane leaned over to Twilight and whispered, “Yeesh, I can’t imagine ever getting used to that.”

“Neither can I,” Twilight replied quietly, hanging her head.

“What are you talking about? I would love it if everypony I met bowed at my hooves whenever I walked into a room," Rainbow said.

“Eh, I think it would get a tad awkward,” Thunderlane replied as he started walking towards the bow.

“‘Awkward’ is a bit of an understatement.” Twilight said.

“Well I’d enjoy it, anyway.”

Twilight rolled her eyes at Rainbow and then set off after Thunderlane. “So this is where the crew lives, right?” she asked, catching up to trot alongside him.

“Yes, the crew bunks here and will usually be down here when not on watch. Medical facilities are at the bow of this deck too. Sergeant Stethoscope is one of the best doctors in the Navy. He’s saved my life more than once.”

Twilight looked back over her shoulder at Rainbow and asked, “where are you guys bunking at?” Rainbow looked around for a moment before she located their spot across the deck. She pointed it out through the crowd. Her trunk was under one of the hammocks touching the wall; Lightning Dust’s was right next to it, along with the rest of the Wonderbolts' things. Soarin was napping in his hammock, and Fleet Foot and Rapid Fire were having a conversation next to him.

Thunderlane continued to the bow and then led them through a door that had a big red cross painted over it. “This is the infirmary. The Sarge should be in here somewhere.”

They followed him a couple meters into the room. There were about half a dozen blood-stained operating tables lined up, three on each side of the room. The walls were covered with cabinets and hooks that held surgical tools, such as saws and clamps. The cabinets were filled with different types of medicine jars and bottles covered in labels and warnings. On the shelves, there were also clear glass jars containing various types of insects. In the far back there were two hammocks hung side by side save for a thin sheet hung between them for privacy. There was some sort of commotion coming from the back of the room. Twilight could see a pony’s rear end and tail sticking up in the air, the image of a stethoscope emblazoned on his flank, as he was rummaging around under one of the tables. The pony stood up and brandished a bone saw with a triumphant smile that poked out behind an impressive handlebar mustache.

“A-ha! There you are. You can't hide from me, so don't try it again,” he said, pointing a hoof menacingly at the saw. The khaki colored earth pony continued scolding the instrument as the group approached him.

“Evening, Sarge,” Thunderlane said from the opposite side of the table.

“Ah! Thunderlane. I’m glad you’re here. This soldier has been neglecting his duty! I caught him hiding from me under this table. I demand that you reprimand him at once,” the stallion said, tossing the saw onto the table.

“Um, maybe later, Sarge. You have guests,” Thunderlane replied, tilting his head towards the ponies behind him.

The doctor looked past Thunderlane to his posse. He gave a friendly grin and trotted around the table to them.

“Welcome to my humble infirmary,” he said, giving a little bow. “What can I do for you ladies today?”

“Thunderlane is giving us a tour of the ship; we just wanted see what the infirmary was like,” Twilight replied.

“Well, It’s a pleasure to meet you fine young mares. I am Doctor-Sergeant Stethoscope,” he said with a wide smile, grabbing Twilight’s hoof and shaking it violently. “I’ll be the one piecing you back together, should you happen to need to be pieced back together during our trip.”

Each of the mares introduced themselves in turn, the doctor shaking each of their hooves. Twilight glanced around at all the outdated surgery equipment and gulped.

“My apprentice should be around here somewhere, getting into something she shouldn't no doubt,” the doctor said.

“That’s alright Sarge; we will be getting along with the tour. We still have a couple decks to go,” Thunderlane said.

“Oh very well, you all can meet her later if you wish,” he replied with a shrug.

Thunderlane led the group out of the infirmary and back into the crew quarters. They followed him back towards the companionway and then down to the next deck. Twilight took a look around the cargo hold. Crates and barrels were stacked all across the deck, several of them draped with neatly stacked ropes and lines.

“Not much to see here really,” Thunderlane said. “This is where everything we need for our voyage is stored. All the ammunition and powder for the cannons and our small arms, other weapons such as boarding pikes and hatchets. Tools and supplies needed to repair the ship. Extra canvas, and food of course. The purser is in charge of the supplies; making sure nothing goes missing, that we have enough supplies, et cetera . We can head down to the next deck when you’re ready.”

“What’s on the next deck?” Rainbow asked. She stood next to the stairs, ears perked up. She and Lightning Dust darted down the stairs and Thunderlane followed them in a hurry.

“Don’t touch anything!” he called out as he chased them down.

Twilight looked back at Spitfire who was rolling her eyes. She shrugged then followed them down. As she started down the stairs she could hear what sounded like the crackle of lightning. As she entered the room she saw a dozen large crystals, levitating between three prongs, firing magical energy into piping that was connected to the platforms they were on. The pipes ran down from the crystals and then into the walls. Each crystal hurled a bolt of magic into one of four surrounding pipes about once per five seconds, seemingly at random. There were a few unicorn engineers on the deck examining the machines.

“These are the terilev generators right?” Twilight asked loudly, trying to be heard over the clamor that the crystals were creating “So how do they work?” She stepped over to the nearest machine for a closer look.

“Well, I don’t know the specifics but, the terinthium crystals store the magic needed for their operation. They have enough magic stored in them for roughly two months of use, and then they must be either recharged or replaced. The pipes have some sort of a charm on them that sucks the magic out of them when it is needed for navigation. The pipes connect to the outside of the ship and push us one way or the other depending on where the helmspony is steering us,” Thunderlane explained. “Did anypony tell you magical procedure for while on board?”

“No, why? Is there something special I need to know?”

“Yes, the magical output of these engines makes the atmosphere around the ship somewhat unstable. Large spells can cause dangerous magical feedback and can disrupt the engines operation, or even disable them completely. So, while magic is not forbidden, you must be very careful, and don’t try anything too complicated.”

“Well I’m glad somepony told me that before I tried practicing spells on deck.”

“I’m fairly certain someone was supposed to have told you this before you came on board, I’ll ask the captain about it later. Ah well, that’s the whole ship,” he said with a shrug. “If you have any more questions I’ll gladly answer them. Let me know when you’re done.”

They lingered near the generators for a minute while Twilight tried to figure out how exactly they worked. When they began making their way back to the quarterdeck, Twilight trotted beside Thunderlane and asked,

“So, what is it that you do on the ship? Aside from giving tours I mean.”

“I’m the officer in charge of the weather team,” Thunderlane replied. “We do a number of things, including moving the ship if there is no wind, guiding us through storms, things like that. As a midshippony, I also attend to duties such as keeping watch and relaying messages from the lieutenants and the captain. In battle, instead of leading gun teams as most midshipponies would, my team and I and ensure that we have the weather gauge in our favor.”

“What is the weather gauge?" Twilight asked as they walked.

“The weather gauge is the advantage that one ship has over another regarding wind and weather. For instance, if we are upwind of an enemy ship, then we have the advantage and control of the engagement. Having pegasi and griffons as part of the crew allows us to control these conditions, even if the weather is naturally unfavorable. So long as the wind is not blowing too strongly in one direction or another, we can manipulate it into serving our purposes. Alternatively, so can the enemy, if they have a good weather team. That makes the weather teams one of the prime targets during engagements. If the enemy's weather team is killed or incapacitated, that gives us control of the engagement. Conversely, they will try equally hard to get at our weather team, which is why we will usually be sent out with a detachment of marines for protection."

They left the gloom of the lower decks and stepped onto the weather deck of the Rising Moon. A cool breeze ruffled Twilight’s mane and sent a shiver down her back. They began to make their way to the bow as Thunderlane continued.

“We also have several duties outside of combat. We can also bring in fresh water; since fresh water is hard to come by on the ocean and doesn't keep well when stored, we can bring in clouds to rain on the ship restore our supply.”

Twilight was absorbing all the information with the same avidity she had when reading a good book or receiving a magic lesson from Celestia. Learning how the ship worked and the jobs ponies had on it was fascinating. A bell tolled out eight times as they passed the main mast. Ponies began flooding the deck from the hatchway just behind the mast and replacing the ones who were currently on station; the ponies who had been working made their way below decks. Thunderlane looked at the position of the sun, which was now sinking back down to the horizon, and shaded his eyes with his hoof.

“Well, that’s my cue. I am on this watch, so I must leave you to your own devices. I pray your tour was both entertaining and enlightening, but now I must take my leave,” Thunderlane said with a bow.

“Thanks for the tour; it was fun!” Twilight said. She stretched her wings a little, letting the breeze play with her feathers, as Thunderlane trotted off to his station.

“Hey Twi, ya wanna fly with us for a bit?” Rainbow asked, nudging her with the elbow of her wing.

“Sure, I’d love to!” she said with a smile.

“Yeah, try to keep up!” Lightning called out, already streaking off the deck. Twilight cast Lightning a sideways glance with a smirk and then took off after her, Rainbow and Spitfire hot on her heels.

Chapter 3

Day 4
Late Night

Thunderlane lifted his telescope up to his eye and stared out into the clouds, but whatever he had seen was gone. He moved to the starboard side of the forecastle to get a better look at the shadow he had seen drifting behind the clouds. He looked back at the few ponies on the deck wondering if any of them had seen the shadow, but nopony else seemed to have noticed. Perhaps the moonlight was just playing tricks on his eyes. He turned back to the bow just as several flashes of light inside the clouds, followed a few seconds later by dozens of dull booms, broke the calm he had been enjoying moments before.

"Everypony hit the deck!" Thunderlane shouted as he dove behind the foremast. He curled up and covered his head with his hooves as the deck of the Rising Moon was struck with heavy round shot, tearing through sails, masts and railings, sending shrapnel spinning through the air and across the deck.

Thunderlane gasped in shock as searing pain shot up his left leg. Blood dropped down onto his snout, then, after a few seconds, the shot stopped slamming into the deck and Thunderlane stood up to examine his leg. There were two large shards of wood embedded in his lower leg, with blood seeping out of the wound and dripping onto the deck. The shrapnel didn’t seem too deep, so he set his hoof down and tried to put pressure on it. Pain shot up his leg again and spots danced across his vision.

He grimaced and lifted it back up, then peered around the splintered mast. Just off the starboard bow, a mare-of-war glided out from between two clouds. It was a small warship, with two decks of cannons lining its dark hull, sails up at full with no flag flying over it. The ship was coming about, bringing its port guns to bear for another broadside.

Thunderlane spun around and hopped through the air, spreading his wings; he glided to the stairs ready to raise the alarm. As he reached the rail he saw that it wouldn't be necessary as the crew was already flooding onto the weather deck. Several rushed to the limp bodies of the crew who were on the deck for the first attack. Most were strewn about the ship, wounded or dead. Captain Cloud stepped out of his cabin, coat halfway on and hat tilted to the side on his head, and looked around the deck then spoke.

"Somepony get these wounded below; everypony else, to battle stations. Lieutenant, I need a damage report." Everypony on deck scrambled to follow their orders. Captain Cloud stepped around a pile of wreckage and galloped to the stairs leading up to the forecastle. He called out as he climbed the stairs, "Thunderlane, who is attacking us?"

“Mare-of-war, sir, flying no colors, a two decker. She fired on us from behind heavy cloud cover, five points off starboard bow,” Thunderlane said as he gestured with his wing towards the bank clouds the ship had been lurking in.

The captain thought for a moment, glancing back and forth between the aggressor and the clouds ahead of them. His thoughts were interrupted by one of the midship ponies calling below deck to run out the guns. Cloud rushed over to the railing and shouted down to the crew. “Belay that order! There are too many villages in this area, we can’t fire back here. We’ll have to draw them away.” He turned back to Thunderlane and noticed his wounded leg. “Are you still able to fly?” he asked.

“Yes, captain," Thunderlane said, stretching out his wings. “Where do you need me?”

“We won’t be able to make it to those clouds before their second broadside; let’s try to be in them before the third.” Cloud stepped back to the rail and called out to the crew below him, “Bring us to full canvas; we’re making a run for the clouds.” He turned back to Thunderlane, “Gather your weather team and bring that cloud cover to us. I'll send marines to you as soon as possible.”

“Aye, captain,” Thunderlane hurried down the stairs and began searching for his team within the crowd on deck. He spotted Silver Wing and April Shower almost immediately, the siblings were standing next to the main mast. He called out to them from halfway down the stairs and waved them over with his wing. He limped to the bottom of the stairs as they pushed their way through the crowd.

“We need to find Morning Star and Sapphire Sky; we have a job to do,” Thunderlane said as he reached the deck. A couple of marines armed with muskets rushed past Thunderlane and up the stairs.

“Morning Star got hi-” Silver began to say as the dull roar of cannons boomed out, somewhat closer than before. The crew dove for cover wherever they could find it. Thunderlane and his team huddled against the wall of the forecastle and covered their heads as the lead balls soared past and ripped apart the deck for a second time.

After a moment, the roar of the cannon fire was replaced with the screams of the wounded. Thunderlane took his hooves away from his face and looked at the grim scene on the deck. The ponies mostly free of injury began carrying the dead and wounded below deck.

“By the alicorns, Thunderlane, you’re hurt!” April Shower leaned over to look at Thunderlane’s leg more closely. His leg was trembling but it was not bleeding as freely as before; the area around the wound was now swollen and he had lost most of the feeling below his knee. “You need to get below and get tended to.”

Thunderlane lifted his leg to examine it. “No, we have a job to do. I’ll get it checked out when we get back. Now where are the others?”

“Morning Star was hit by the first broadside. Sapphire Sky carried him down to the doctor; she should be up here any moment,” April said, still eyeing Thunderlane’s leg.

“We don’t have time to wait for her. We need to get this done now; follow me, I'll explain on the way.” Thunderlane turned around and climbed back up to the forecastle. Captain Cloud was no longer on the deck but there were several crew members attending to various assignments and marines moving to the railings. Thunderlane hobbled to the bowsprit and leaped over the side of the ship.

~~~~~

Twilight raised her head from her pillow, a low rumbling rousing her from sleep. She blinked several times and yawned.
She lifted the covers off of her with her magic and stepped onto the floor, making her bed neatly and quickly. Then she opened her door and stepped out next to Rainbow Dash in the hallway. Luna was standing just outside her door with Dusk Mail, one of her bat winged guards, ears pricked up and rotating slightly. Captain Cloud burst from the great cabin, hat in his mouth, coat askew on his back, and sword dangling at his side, and sped towards the door to the weather deck.

“Shtay ‘n your rooms,” He said through a mouthful of hat.

“Captain, what’s happening?” Twilight asked as he passed.

“I don’t know yet, stay in your rooms,” he replied, straightening his bicorn on his head, as he opened the door and stepped out onto the deck.

Luna looked at Twilight and said, “It sounded like cannons. I think we are under attack.” She turned and walked back into her room. At the word 'cannons' Twilight's heart skipped a beat and her eyes widened. She could see Luna through the door rummaging through a chest of her belongings. After a few seconds, she pulled out a vest and began strapping it on. Twilight walked over to Luna’s door.

“Wh- what are you doing?” she asked, choking down the lump in her throat. The vest was on now and Luna was sliding two flintlock pistols into the holsters on front of the vest. There were two more pistols on her sides, just under her wings.

“I’m going out there to help,” Luna replied. She walked past Twilight and down the hallway. Dusk Mail followed close behind, but made no attempt to stop her.

“But the captain said to stay here. It’s not safe.” Twilight trotted behind Luna a few paces as she spoke.

“That’s why I have these,” Luna shook one of the ornately carved pistols in the air in front of Twilight, “I've been around a long time Twilight; don’t worry, I can handle myself, and they may need the help. Stay in your room until it's safe. Rainbow, make sure she stays there.”

“Um, yes ma’am,” Rainbow slung her musket over her shoulder and motioned to Twilight, “C’mon Twi.”

As Twilight stepped back into her room, Rainbow turned to Dusk Mail and asked, “Hey, Dusk, if you get the chance, could you send someone to let us know what’s going on?”

“Sure thing; we’ll let you know as soon as possible,” he replied as he followed Luna onto the deck.

“Thanks,” she turned around to face Twilight.

They could hear ponies shouting on the deck, but couldn’t tell what they were saying. Screams were carried up from below them, muffled by the thick floors. Twilight cringed at the sounds, her heart racing. She looked to Rainbow Dash for reassurance. She looked at Twilight and placed a hoof on her shoulder.

“Don’t worry Twi; we’re gonna be fine,” she said, confidently.

~~~~~

Thunderlane maneuvered around the massive cloud, followed by April and Silver, slowly pushing it back towards the ship with the wind from their wings. The Rising Moon was at full sail now, gliding silently towards the clouds. Their aggressor was trying to cut them off, coming in perpendicularly from their starboard side, about a kilometer away, and pelting them with shot from their bow chasers. The Rising Moon would easily be able to make it to the cloud cover before the mare-of-war could reach them, but they were still within easy range of her cannons.

Thunderlane called out a warning to his team as half a dozen dark, winged shapes broke off from the hostile ship, and then started flying towards the weather crew.

Thunderlane facehoofed, sending a jolt of pain through his left leg, as he realized he didn’t have a weapon; he hadn't had time to put on any wing blades, and he hadn't been carrying a sword or musket while on watch. He glanced around to his team and saw that April and Silver both had wing blades on.

Well I guess we aren't totally helpless. He thought with a frown, then glanced at the Rising Moon.C'mon Captain, those marines would be useful anytime now!

He looked back to the mare-of-war to see another two dozen of its crew soar off from the other side of the ship, making for the Rising Moon.

~~~~~

“To arms! Prepare to repel boarders!” Captain Cloud shouted over the din on deck. “Rolling Thunder, I want sharpshooters to the tops and the rest of your marines stationed at the starboard rail. Keep them off the ship, if you can.” Rolling Thunder, the lieutenant in charge of the marines, relayed the orders to his men, sending two squads of Marines to take up positions on the starboard rails, muskets in hoof, and several more soared to the yards and the crow's nest. Lightning Dust rushed out from below deck with Spitfire, Rapidfire, and Fleet Foot, along with half of Luna’s guards. Soarin remained where he stood, at the door to the officer’s quarters. Spitfire trotted to where the captain was calling out orders, next to the main mast and asked,

"How can we help?"

Captain Cloud turned his attention to her and said, "A detachment of their crew is headed for our weather team and I need them to be defended, but I need my marines here to repel the incoming attackers." He pointed to the bank of clouds that Thunderlane, April, and Silver were orbiting. Lightning could see several dark shapes approaching them from the enemy ship. "Go and make sure they get that cloud cover here safely.”

Spitfire nodded and turned to her team. Lightning Dust's heart began to race. My first battle, she thought, Now's my chance to show them what I can do!

"Did ya hear me, newbie?" Spitfire said, smacking a hoof over the back of Lightning's head, sending a ringing through her helmet.

"Sorry, ma'am!" She replied, blushing.

"I said stay here with Soarin and guard the Princess. Nopony gets through there; you got that?" Spitfire said, pointing to the entrance to the VIP's quarters.

"But..." Lightning Dust trailed off as Spitfire gave her a hard glare, "Understood, ma'am."

"Good," Spitfire led the others across the ship and they took to the air.

Lightning turned and trotted over to Soarin, taking up a position in front of the doors. Scowling, she checked that her wing blades were secured one last time and then unslung her musket from her back. She hung her head as she watched Spitfire, Rapidfire, and Fleet Foot soar towards the real action. Maybe some will get past the marines, she thought. She straightened herself and stood tall, ready for action.

The mare-of-war's bow chasers flashed, sending ponies scrambling for cover. Lightning raised her head after the balls had whizzed past, narrowly missing their mark. She craned her neck to see the enemy ship better over the crowd of marines at the rail. The ship was significantly larger than the Rising Moon and was getting closer. Its own weather team pumping air into its sails from behind the ship.

~~~~~

Thunderlane smiled when he saw reinforcements on their way from the Rising Moon. Unfortunately, the enemy was going to arrive before the marines would. He continued flapping his wings, propelling the clouds to the Rising Moon. The enemy was close enough now for him to see that they were griffons, not pegasi as he had originally assumed. They were wearing light chain mail and leather jerkins, and they were armed with muskets and pikes. He continued maneuvering the cloud towards the ship as the griffons approached. Once the griffons were within thirty meters, he called out to April and Silver.

"Form up tight, don't let them separate us!" They flew to him and hovered at his flanks. The griffons angled upward to come at them from above. Thunderlane flew up, his wingponies right beside him, trying to keep level with the griffons to reduce their advantage.

The griffons dove, closing the distance between the two groups. Thunderlane tried to shift out of their path, but wasn’t fast enough. The leader slammed into his back, reversing his momentum and driving him downward. Thunderlane angled his wings, spinning upside down and throwing the griffon from his back. He dashed into the griffon's stomach and made a grab for his pike, wrapping his hoof around the middle of the weapon. He twisted and yanked it halfway out of the griffon's grasp. One talon still on the end of the pike, the griffon used his free hand to punch Thunderlane in the gut, driving the air from his lungs. Thunderlane buckled over for a moment and the griffon scored him with the claws on his back legs, and knocked the weapon free from both of their grips, sending it careening towards the ground. Thunderlane gasped in pain, retreating through the air to catch his breath, but the griffon stayed right on top of him.

The griffon grabbed Thunderlane with his talons and dug them into his shoulder, then pulled their faces close together and struck at Thunderlane’s eyes with his beak. Thunderlane shoved his right hoof between himself and the griffon, calling out in agony and exertion as he tried to pry his enemy away from his face, but his talons were dug in too deep; he was barely able to save himself from being blinded. The griffon pinned Thunderlane's left wing to his side with his back claw, ripping out some of his feathers. Without the extra lift, the two plunged through the air. Thunderlane heart raced and his body shook as his adrenaline kicked in; he twisted and jerked violently, trying to dislodge the griffon's claw from his shoulder. Desperate, he lifted his left foreleg and slammed the wooden spike into the eye socket of the griffons helmet. They screamed in unison, blood gushing from under the griffon's helm as he jerked his head away from Thunderlane. The splinter was ripped from Thunderlane's arm sending another vicious wave of pain through it.

The griffon fell limp and plummeted through the air. Safe for the moment, Thunderlane looked up. Their escort had already engaged the griffons freeing the weather team to go back to their task. The last three griffons broke off and flew back to their ship. Thunderlane struggled to fly back up to his team. Spitfire glided over to him and said, "you're all clear; we'll stay and keep any other attackers at bay." Thunderlane nodded and flew back over to the cloud bank.

"Good job not getting separated," April said, smirking.

"Don't get cheeky, get to work," Thunderlane replied, smiling through the pain. They flew around the cloud and continued their task.

~~~~~

Musket balls plinked off the deck next to Lightning Dust, making her duck for cover behind the stairs. The squadron of griffons passed low over the ship, firing into the crew. Several marines leaped into the air, tackling some of the griffons to the deck, or following them over the side. Chaos erupted over the ship as the bulk of the boarding party landed on the deck. The marines fired a volley into their group and then charged into them with their bayonets.

Lightning started towards the fight but was stopped by Soarin's hoof on her shoulder,

"They can handle it," he said, "Our job is defending this door; no one gets in. If you want to help, pick them off from here." He turned back and fired his musket at one of the nearby griffons.

Lightning kicked the ground and stepped back to her place, scowling; she locked her musket into the firing harness
wrapped around her shoulder and cocked the hammer, sliding her right hoof into the weapon’s trigger before shifting her body to aim at the closest griffon. She pushed the trigger, sending a spark into the breech. A moment later, the muzzle flashed and the butt kicked into her shoulder. The griffon fell limp and slumped to the deck. Lightning smiled and pulled the weapon out of the harness to reload.

~~~~~

Twilight was standing in her doorway next to Rainbow, listening to the sounds of battle on the deck. She folded her ears back to try to drown out the sound and fidgeted back and forth on her hooves nervously.

"How do you think it's going?" she asked.

"I can’t tell..." Rainbow said after a moment. She had her ears perked up, twitching every few moments.

They jumped in unison at the sound of shattering glass. The sound had come from the great cabin, muffled by the sound of musket fire and the clash of steel just outside. Rainbow waved Twilight back into her room and then aimed her musket at the door as she inched closer to it. Twilight was standing at the entry to her room, peering around the corner at Rainbow. They heard a clutter from inside, a dull thump and then rushed footsteps. Then the door burst open; a griffon jumped into view, a pistol sweeping the hallway in his right hand, a large axe slung over his shoulder.

Rainbow yelped and discharged her musket in a panic before she could harness it; the shot went wide but hit one of his outstretched wings as he spun around to face them. He squawked out in pain and folded up his injured wing. He grinned wickedly when he spotted Twilight. She froze as he leveled his pistol at her head and pulled the trigger. The flared and the muzzle spat fire, but in the wrong direction. The musket ball impacted in the door frame, half a meter above Twilight's head.

Rainbow had smacked his pistol with the butt of her musket, sending it spinning to the floor. He had his axe unslung before Rainbow could follow up with another attack and swung it over his head, putting his full weight behind the blow. Rainbow lifted her musket and used the barrel to deflect the strike. The axe angled to the side as it scraped off the edge of the barrel and suck into the wood of the deck. Rainbow brought the butt of the rifle up in an arc towards his head. The griffon took one talon off his weapon grabbed her wrist, halting its momentum, and slammed it twice against the wall, releasing her grip on the musket. She shifted her body, pulling away from his grasp and swung her left wingblade towards his throat but he ducked under the blow and smashed his armored talon into Rainbow's cheek, sending her careening across the floor and knocking her helmet to the ground. While she was stunned he yanked the axe out from the deck then started towards her.

Twilight was transfixed, too terrified to move as the griffon advanced on Rainbow, axe raised. Rainbow had started standing up and dodged backwards just in time as the griffon made a swing with the axe, almost decapitating her, landing the axe in the wall. She deftly spun around and bucked the griffon in the chest with all the strength she could muster. There was a loud crack and he was sent skidding backwards through the hall, leaving the axe embedded in the wall. He dug his talons into the wood to steady himself and coughed a mouthful of blood onto the floor, grasping at his chest and trying to catch his breath. Rainbow charged him.

She braced her back legs and ducked, avoiding his high strike and then drove her head into his sternum, pinning him to the wall, just next to Twilight's door. She grunted in pain as the griffon dug his knee into her stomach. He kicked her twice before she was able to get her rear hoof over his paw and pin it to the ground. She pounded her right hoof into his clavicle, stunning him for a moment, then slung him to the right and away from his intended target.

She dashed towards him again, scooping up her musket on the way, and leaped into the air, bayonet pointed for his chest. He rolled and kicked the musket to the side, sending Rainbow tumbling at an awkward angle onto the floor. He pounced on top of her, drawing a dirk from his belt and then driving towards her throat. She pulled her hooves up just in time, holding them in a cross under his wrists, keeping the dagger just centimeters from her neck.

Her arms started to weaken and the knife dropped closer, she could feel the tip pricking her skin. She tried to use her back legs to kick the griffon off but he had them pinned to the ground. She couldn't hold the dirk there much longer. It sank into her skin slowly and she screamed, the griffon grinned cruelly as he pushed the dagger further in.

Twilight, broken from her stupor by Rainbow's scream, saw that her friend was pinned to the ground. "NO!" she cried as she sprang forward, charging the griffon and slamming into him with all the force she could put behind her slender frame. She felt something wrench in her shoulder as she carried the griffon off of Rainbow and into the wall. She slumped to the floor, crying out from the intense pain in her shoulder, as Rainbow jumped to her hooves instantly, a long, bloody gash marring her neck.

She spread her wings and thrust the tips of her wingblades into the dazed griffon, her left in his throat and right in his sternum, and held him against the wall with her forehooves. The griffon coughed, sending a spray of blood from his neck into Rainbow's face. His feet scrambled weakly against the floor and his convulsions became less frantic as the life drained out of him. Rainbow looked straight into his bright yellow eyes as he fell limp.

She held him against the wall for a moment, stunned, simply staring into his now empty face. She let out a massive gasp. Twilight stirred beside her, drawing her attention away from the body. She pulled her blades out and let the body fall to the floor. She rushed over to Twilight and knelt down next to her.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

Twilight looked at the body, her face twisted in disgust. She gagged, then turned and retched on the floor, narrowly missing her forehooves. She sat for moment trembling before she responded. "I hurt my shoulder," she said, her voice quivering. She prodded it tenderly, tears in her eyes. She looked up at Rainbow and gasped. "Rainbow you're covered in blood! You need to get to the doctor!"

"I'm not leaving your side until this fight is over." She replied, voice shaking.

“But you need to-”

“It’s not up for discussion, come on, let’s get you back in your room.”

Twilight looked up at Rainbow with concern in her eyes and tried to stand. Rainbow helped her up and then supported her as she walked back to her room. Twilight glanced at the body again as they passed by. His face was contorted and blood oozed out of his numerous wounds. Twilight grimaced and turned away, then limped into her room, closing the door halfway.

Rainbow trotted over to her musket and picked it up, then went back to Twilight's door and started reloading, taking a paper cartridge from a pouch on her belt and tearing off a small piece to prime the flashpan. She dropped the cartridge as she tried to slide it into the muzzle as her hooves were shaking fiercely and were slick with the griffon's blood. She set the musket down and wiped her hooves on the floor. Blood dripped down from her neck onto her armor and legs, staining her azure coat with spots of red. She tried to ignore the searing pain in her neck, but it soon became too much. She reached down to her waist and used her teeth to open one of the pouches on her belt. She pulled out a field dressing and started wrapping it around her wound. When she finished, she sat back against the wall next to Twilight's door and looked across the hall at the griffon for a moment. She shuddered andpicked her gun back up and finished reloading it.

~~~~~

Cloud frowned, gritting his teeth, as Luna and her guards cut a swath through the band of griffons on the deck. Luna fired her ornately carved pistols in quick succession, sliding each one back into its holster as it was discharged. When they were all empty, she picked up a nearby cutlass with her magic and yanked another out of a startled griffon's claw, then jumped back into the fray. Cloud scowled, then turned and ran up to the forecastle.

The Wonderbolts had driven off the griffons that were attacking his weather team, and the Rising Moon was now scarcely one hundred meters from the relative safety of the cloud bank. The enemy ship's captain knew they were going to escape, but he seemed determined to do as much damage as possible before they did. Their ship was coming about to make another broadside, becoming parallel to the Rising Moon. The remainder of the boarding party began to retreat, breaking away from combat and flying back to their own ship, bringing a cheer from the Rising Moon's crew, and a flurry of hurled insults and curses chased the griffons back to their ship.

The mare-of-war was almost at a good firing angle as the bow of the Rising Moon became covered in the clouds, cutting off Cloud's view of the enemy ship. He shouted for the crew to take cover just as the enemy ship fired a wild broadside. Most of the shot sailed wide or low, dozens of balls whizzed past the ship, which was now fully covered by the clouds.

"Quiet! Everypony quiet! No bells or calls!" Cloud said as he rushed down onto the quarter deck then up the aft castle and to the taffrail. He peered over the top, but couldn't see anything through the fog. Several more balls soared through the air, presumably from the griffon's chasers. The crew had fallen silent, save for the sound their hooves made on the deck as they went to their stations. Cloud smiled. With the ship behind them and the natural wind in their favor, they would be well away before the mare-of-war would be able to catch them in this seemingly interminable mass of clouds. Hopefully their luck would hold until they reached the ocean, where they could fight back.

~~~~~

Lightning watched the griffons fly away with a disappointed scowl. She unharnessed her musket and sighed, turning to Soarin.

"I'm gonna go check on the Princess, unless there's something you need me here for," she said.

He nodded and began to trot away. "No, go ahead. I'm gonna find the others."

"Alright," Lightning Dust pushed open the door to the VIP rooms and walked down the hall. As she neared the intersection, she saw a pool of blood seeping around the corner. She gasped and rushed down the hall, turned the corner and nearly tripped over Rainbow Dash. She was holding a wound on her neck and her eyes were closed, sweat plastering her mane to her face. She was covered in blood.

"Rainbow!" Lightning exclaimed, barely glancing at the dead griffon heaped against the wall. She knelt down and felt her cheek. Rainbow's eyes fluttered open and she scrambled to her hooves, wincing in pain. "Oh, you're alright."

"Yeah, well, not fine but I'll live," Rainbow replied with a weak grin. "What happened out there?" She tried to take a step, then stumbled. Lightning caught her and lifted her upright; she moved Rainbow's hoof away from the wound to look at it. The bandage she had placed on it was soaked through with blood which was dripping onto the floor. Rainbow's eyes were hazy and unfocused.

"I'll tell you later; you need to get to the doctor, now." Lightning set Rainbow on the floor and scampered to Twilight's door and pushed it open. Twilight looked up from where she was sitting on the bed.

"Rainbow's hurt, bad. I'm taking her down to the doctor. I need you to come with me; we can't leave you alone."

Twilight nodded, hopped off the bed and followed Lightning into the hallway. Lightning lifted Rainbow up and heaved her onto her back. Twilight gasped upon seeing Rainbow's condition.

"She seemed fine a minute ago! It was just a small cut!" Twilight gasped. She hobbled ahead and opened the door for them. The deck was covered in ponies clearing away wreckage and moving bodies. Twilight couldn’t even see the bow of the ship due to the heavy clouds surrounding them. The report of the enemies’ guns firing wildly into the fog sounded far in the distance, the shot didn't even pass remotely close to the Rising Moon. Luna rushed over to them as they stepped out onto the deck, eyebrows furrowed. She had small flecks of blood across her cheek and her vest was torn in a few places but it seemed she was unhurt.

"What happened? How'd she get hurt? Are you okay, Twilight?" She asked without taking a pause.

"I'm fine," Twilight replied quietly. "A griffon broke through the windows in the back of the ship and came in through the great cabin. He tried to shoot me but Rainbow stopped him. He pinned her to the ground and cut her neck, I pushed him off and she killed him. I didn't think it was this bad at first; she seemed fine, so I went back into my room."

"Get her to the doctor, Lightning. We need to speak with the captain," Luna said as she began to walk away, motioning to Twilight to follow her.

Twilight took a step after Luna and said, "I want to go with Rainbow and make sure she's okay," Luna looked at Rainbow and then at Twilight's worried expression. Luna's hard gaze softened a little and she relented.

"Alright, come find us as soon as you can," Luna said.

"Thank you, Luna." Twilight helped Lightning support Rainbow's weight and they carried her down to the berth deck. The deck was crowded with all of the ponies resting after the battle, and moonlight was streaming in through the brand new holes in the side of the ship. Agonized moans drifted across the deck from the infirmary. A few ponies offered limp salutes as they pushed their way through the crowd towards the bow, Twilight hobbling along behind Lightning Dust.

When they reached the infirmary, they found a room full of wounded ponies either recovering or waiting for treatment. Lightning carried Rainbow over to the only empty table left and laid her gently onto its surface, Twilight followed her across the sand covered floor.

Twilight looked around for the doctor and found him at the opposite end of the room next to a violet mare with a yellow mane, who Twilight assumed was his apprentice. They were amputating a white pony's right foreleg. Twilight looked away, trying to swallow the knot in her throat. Lightning trotted over to him to wait to get the doctor's attention. Twilight stood next to Rainbow, gazing over her limp form. She was breathing shallowly and she had passed out. Seeing her friend this way sent a pang through her chest. A few moments later Lightning Dust came back over to her.

"Sarge says it's going to be a while but this is the last urgent patient. He should be able to check out Rainbow next," Lightning said as she sat down next to Twilight.

"Okay," Twilight said as she put a hoof on Rainbow's cheek; she was shivering and pouring sweat. Twilight tried to wipe some of the blood off Rainbow's face but only succeeded in smearing it into sticky clumps. She pulled her hoof back and poked at the floor, frowning.

"Hey, Rainbow's gonna be fine," she said plainly. "There's no need for that pouting. Look, why don't you go sit down; I'll stay here and let you know as soon as something changes."

Twilight hesitated, glancing at Rainbow again; then she sighed and stood up. "Alright." She limped to the side of the room and found an empty spot next to the wall and sat down. She leaned back against the wall and closed her eyes, absently rubbing her throbbing shoulder.

"Twilight, are you hurt?" someone beside her asked. She looked over to her right see Thunderlane, his left arm wrapped in blood stained gauze, resting in a sling, and a few wet bandages were stuck to right flank and shoulder. She gasped at his appearance and worry furrowed her brow.

“Thunderlane! You look terrible, what happened?”

“We ran into some griffons while moving clouds, but I’m fine, most of my wounds are superficial, even if they don’t feel like it,” he said, shaking his head dismissively. “Were you hurt during the fight?”

"Oh, no. Well, yes, but that's not why I'm here. Rainbow got wounded protecting me from a griffon," she replied.

"How'd a griffon get that far into the ship?" he asked wrinkling his brow.

"He broke in through the captain's room." She looked back over at Rainbow and sighed.

"How did you get hurt? Where did you get hurt? You look fine," he asked, concern edging his voice.

"The griffon had Rainbow pinned to the ground and I hurt my shoulder tackling him off," she said, massaging her shoulder with her hoof, nursing the sharp pain that still called her joint home. Drawing attention to it made her realise just how acute the pain really was.

Thunderlane looked over at the doctor, who was still busy with the amputation.

"Well, the doc is going to be a while. Here, let me have a look," he said. She scooted closer to him and leaned over. He placed his right hoof on her shoulder and gently slid it over her upper back and shoulder, prodding here and there. He stopped when she gasped in pain.

"You dislocated it," Thunderlane said. "I can reset it if you want, but it's going to hurt."

"Alright, go ahead," she replied. Thunderlane placed his hooves on her shoulder and her elbow.

"Ok, on three: one," and then he twisted her arm sharply and shoved it upwards. Twilight yelped in pain and clenched her teeth, trying not to cry out, as the joint clicked back into place. The relief was almost immediate.

"You said on three!" Twilight growled quietly, rotating her arm experimentally. Thunderlane grinned at her smugly as she frowned at him, cheeks flushed. "Thank you," she said, grudgingly, her shoulder was completely free of discomfort.

"No problem; I've had to reset my own shoulder a couple times. The pain should be gone now," Thundelane said as he leaned back against the wall smiling. Twilight looked at his bandaged leg.

"Why are you still in here if you've already been treated?" she asked.

"See that guy over there, the one getting his leg cut off?" Thunderlane asked, smile fading from his face as he pointed to the far side of the room where the pony was being operated on. "He's on my weather team, he got hit by the first broadside. I'd be over there with him but the Sarge told me to stay out of the way."

"I'm so sorry."

"Don't worry about it, he'll be fine. They’ll slap on a wooden leg and he'll walk with a 'bit' of a limp, but he'll make it."

“Where is all the medical equipment? Do they not store it on this deck?” Twilight asked, noticing a lack of any sort of modern technology.

“Oh, no. None of that stuff works on a ship like this. Most of it is too large to be used here or the crystals in the terilev generators causes too much interference for them to be used accurately. We have to settle for outdated methods.”

“How outdated?” Twilight asked, swallowing nervously.

“Oh it’s not that bad. We still get all the modern medicine we need, just not the x-ray machines or heart monitors, nothing powered by magic really,” Thunderlane said. He chuckled and then added, “I think the sarge prefers it this way though. I once heard him swear by the power of leeches and blood-letting.”

“I don’t think that makes me feel better…”

“Don’t worry, he’s the best surgeon in the Navy. Rainbow will be fine,” he reassured her. Twilight smiled thankfully and turned her attention back to the Sarge’s operation.

As they were watching, the doctor stepped back from the table and trotted around to where Rainbow Dash was resting, his apprentice staying with the other pony to finish up.

"Oh, I have to go," Twilight said as she stood up.

"Of course," Thunderlane said as Twilight rushed over to the table. The doctor was peeling back the bandage that Rainbow had put on. The jagged cut oozed blood. The Sarge took a rag out of his apron and began cleaning the wound, pushing Twilight back gently with his hoof when she tried to get a better look.

"Gandering at her insides will not make this go any faster or help her heal. I assure you, she will be fine. This doesn't seem to be too deep, but she has lost quite a bit of blood; I'll just give her some stitches and a bandage and she will be right as rain in no time," he said, looking at Twilight like one would a disobedient foal.

"Daisy, more sutures here, if you please," the doctor called across the room as Twilight went back to her spot next to Thunderlane and sat down. He whispered words of encouragement to his instruments as he began sewing up the wound. Lightning Dust trotted over and sat down next to Twilight.

"Is it just me or does the Sarge seem a bit... off?" she said, eyeing Sergeant Stethoscope.

"If you’re that good, you earn the right to be a bit weird. I've never seen anypony handle a surgery like him, and he doesn't have any magic to help. He does it all with his hooves," Thunderlane replied, a defensive tone sneaking into his voice.

Spitfire and Soarin trotted into the infirmary. They looked around the room for a moment before spotting Twilight by the far wall. Twilight stood up and met them halfway across the room.

"Luna told us we'd find you down here. The captain needs to speak with you; you too Thunderlane; all officers to the great cabin," she said. Then she turned to Lightning Dust, "Lightning, you're relieved; stay here with Dash, let one of us know as soon as she's awake."

"Aye, aye, ma'am," she replied, snapping to attention.

Thunderlane stood up and limped over to them. Twilight turned around and gave Rainbow one last concerned look as she and Thunderlane followed Spitfire out of the infirmary.

Chapter 4

Day 5
Early Morning

Twilight stepped into the great cabin. Early morning light streamed in through the windows. One of them was shattered from where the assassin had broken in. There were about a dozen ponies sitting around a table all dressed in blue officers' coats. Captain Cloud was seated at the head of the table, with Luna opposite him. The meeting was already underway, with Rolling Thunder just finishing a list of the damages the ship had sustained. Twilight walked up to the table quietly, trying not to interrupt, and Thunderlane pulled out a chair for her then took a seat beside her.

"How in Tartarus did we get blindsided like that?” one of the midship-ponies asked, “How could they have known where to find us?”

"We don't even know if they were waiting for us or just a defenseless target," Shake Spear said.

"Well, if they were trying to take the ship, they did a very poor job. Only sending two dozen boarders?" Captain Cloud replied. "No, that was a distraction. For those of you who don't know, while the attack was taking place on the deck, a griffon broke in through there," he pointed to the shattered window, "and tried to assassinate Princess Twilight."

A small clamor rose at his statement, along with a few worried inquiries as to Twilight’s well-being. After a few moment of Twilight assuring the officers that she was fine, they quieted back down.

"So they were here with a purpose,” Thunderlane said. “But still, this attack would have had to have been planned months in advance. They also would have had to know when we meant to sail, unless they just floated there for weeks on end, waiting. None of that information should have been public knowledge, and they weren't part of any of the griffon royal houses; with no flags or markings on their ship, they must have been a privateer. Who in the their houses would have set up an attack like this?"

Luna replied, "It may not have been a noble house. There are plenty of other parties who would like to see the war restarted. Weapons and armor manufacturers, shipwrights, any number of others could have sent them. The nobility has been very cooperative, er, mostly." Luna looked away and thought for a moment then turned back and said, "No, I don't that they would have ordered this attack. The ones that want war don’t have enough support, they’d be too scared to do this on their own. If Admiral Iron Beak didn’t respect his brother so much I’d suspect that he was behind this. He has always been on the traditionalist side, but he has too much honor to go behind King Eryk’s back."

"We don't have enough information at the moment to make any sort of precise guess," Twilight said, drawing the group's attention. "The ship had no markings, so it could have been sent by anyone. The only lead we have is that the ship is crewed primarily by griffons, or at least that's all we saw, correct?" The captain nodded his agreement. "So it could be assumed that they were sent from the Griffon Commonwealth, but we don't know that for sure either. The only thing that we know is that they wanted me dead," she trailed off as that sank in. She gave an involuntary shudder as she remembered the cruel grin the griffon wore just before he tried to kill her.

"Twilight's right, there's no use speculating," the captain concluded. "The Rising Moon is going to need mending and that ship is still out there. They could come upon us while we make repairs. If they are still looking for us then we need to get underway as soon as possible. Mids, get the repairs started; you all know your duties. Dismissed."

The officers began leaving their seats and departing the room. Cloud drew Luna, Twilight, and Shake Spear to the side before they left and said, "One of our spies in the Commonwealth is going to meet us in Trotuga. He will hopefully have some more information for us regarding our pursuer."

"Well that's some welcome news," Luna replied.

"Yes, but we are still a long ways off from there," Cloud said. He led them out of the great cabin and through the mess hall. He continued speaking as they trotted into the hall. "If that ship is still looking for us, which I have no doubt that it is, we are going to be in for an eventful trip. Nopony was able to get an exact count, but we estimate the enemy ship had almost twice our guns; we would be no match in a head-to-head fight."

"This is the fastest ship in the Equestrian fleet; can they even catch us?" Twilight asked. She glanced at the spot where the griffon assassin's body had been as they passed the private quarters, where one of the crew members was scrubbing the blood-soaked floor.

"That is a distinct possibility, their ship was clearly built for speed. While the Rising Moon is certainly no laggard mare-of-war, with the damage we sustained during the fight, we’ll be going significantly less than full speed." Cloud pushed open the door to the deck and held it open for the two mares, and they trotted out onto the deck, followed by Shake Spear, and their coterie of guards.

The deck was littered with piles of debris and the ponies that were cleaning them up. The repairs were already well underway. Pegasi drifted around the ship, patching the hull and sails and repairing the yards and masts. Ponies on the deck were scrubbing up bloodstains and removing wreckage. Long shadows lined the deck, cast from stem to stern by the early morning sun.

"You have the deck, Lieutenant," the captain said to Shake Spear.

"Very good sir," the lieutenant replied with a salute, and then he trotted off amidships.

Twilight and Luna followed the captain to the bridge, where Twilight asked, "What are the repairs that need to be made?"

"Well, the hull got the worst of it," Cloud responded, waving his hoof in the air as he rattled off the ship's wounds from a list in his head, "Cannons five through nine are all now sharing one large porthole; that should be able to be patched with little difficulty. There were also some other smaller holes in the hull. I believe we lost a crate or two of cornmeal and oats that fell from the cargo hold when some shot penetrated the lower decks. There are also some minor issues with the sails and rigging; several lines were cut and needed to be replaced, and the sails are being mended as we speak. The main and mizzen masts went mostly undamaged, but the foremast was nearly taken off it’s base, so we will have to sail without it until it can be replaced. Unless of course the carpenter performs some miracle upon it." He trotted over to the intricately carved railing at the stern and picked at some chipped wood with his hoof. "I suppose the taffrail endured some minor scoring as well. But have no doubt, the Rising Moon will be back in shape in no time," he said with a grin, then, sighing, he added, "I still need to go get the casualty report from the good doctor. If you’ll excuse me.” Captain Cloud trotted off towards the companionway.

~~~~~

Thunderlane picked his head up from where it was resting on the side of Morning Star's bed when Star stirred and rolled over. Star lifted his head up and looked around the dimly lit room. He brushed his blue mane out of his eyes. There were still several wounded ponies lying on the operating table/recovery beds, some moaning quietly, others suffering in silence.

"Hey, how do you feel?" Thunderlane asked as he stood up.

"Like a cannonball tore my leg off..." Morning Star replied, churlish. He lifted up his right foreleg, or what was left of it, and examined his stump. The wound had been closed and was wrapped in bloodstained gauze. He sighed, "It's not like I was using that or a anything. Is everypony else alright?"

"On the weather team, yeah. A few others weren't so lucky," Thunderlane answered.

"What happened?" he asked as he tried to pick himself up. Daisy Petal rushed over and gently, but firmly, planted the white pegasus back down on the bed.

"Take it easy, you've lost a lot of blood and we amputated your leg. You are not going anywhere for several days," she said. "Thunderlane, make sure he doesn't overexert himself."

"Will do," Thunderlane said as she went back over to another patient.

"So what happened?" Morning Star reiterated.

"A griffon-crewed ship attacked us. We don't know what their affiliation is but we know that they were here for Princess Twilight. A small boarding party created a distraction on the deck while an assassin snuck in through the rear of the ship."

"Is she alright?"

"Yeah, she's fine. Her friend there killed the griffon, but she got it pretty bad," Thunderlane said, turning to point to where Rainbow Dash lay. "It hasn't been long; you've only been out for a few hours. After the battle, we had a meeting in the great cabin; then I came back down here to check on your lazy flank." He chuckled and nudged Star's ribs.

"I appreciate it." He kicked at Thunderlane's prodding hoof with his back right leg. "What happened to your leg?" he said with a nod towards Thunderlane's bandaged foreleg.

"I took some shrapnel from the first broadside. A few days with a bandage and I'll be fine. Is there anything I can get you?" He pulled his hoof away and placed it back on the deck.

"Yeah, me, out of here," Morning Star fidgeted and turned over, trying to get his stump in a comfortable position. "My existing limbs are sore and cramped from laying on this wooden slab."

"Not much I can do about that. Just sit tight; you'll be out of here soon enough."

Morning Star rolled over onto his back and sighed, closing his eyes, "Yeah, right. Thanks."

~~~~~

Rainbow Dash flew dizzying circles around a large cloud. The wind whipped her mane and tail in various directions and the cool wind perfectly countered the heat from the sun. She closed her eyes and folded her wings shut, curling her legs into her body. She rose through the air and then hung suspended for a just a moment, free from gravity. Then she fell. She plummeted through the empty space, falling end over end towards the shining blue expanse laid out beneath her. She let herself fall for a minute, then opened her eyes and snapped her wings open. The ocean seemed to be even farther away than before. She laughed with the gaiety of a dragon coming across an abandoned hoard of gems. She angled her wings and then bolted for a nearby bank of clouds. She closed her eyes again as she burst through the cloud, cold droplets of water condensed onto her coat and feathers, sending ticklish shivers up her back.

Then she slammed into something hard. She felt her wings become pinned to her sides and her forehooves to a ground that hadn't been there moments before. She jerked back and forth trying to free herself; her breath came in short gasps. She was trapped and completely immobile. She looked up, into two, cruel, yellow eyes. The light of the sun was gone and there was no clear blue sky above them. Dark shadows danced across the wicked face. She tried to shy away from her attacker, but there was nowhere to go. A the glint of steel flashed across her vision then slammed down on her head. She screamed.

And woke up.

She jerked upright, panting, with sweat dripping from her brow. She looked around the dark room; several ponies lay on the other beds in the sickbay, the doctor and his apprentice shuffling between the beds, checking on the patients. Lightning Dust was asleep in the corner near her bed, using her helmet as a pillow and snoring quietly. She became aware of the throbbing pain in her neck. She rubbed her hoof gingerly over the bandage. Her armor had been removed and her clumsily applied bandage replaced with a fresh one. She took a deep breath and then coughed, her dry throat cracking.

"Excuse me," she said. The doctor trotted over to her, smiling.

"Ah, good to see you're awake. How do you feel?" He picked up a little clipboard from a bin on Rainbow's bed.

"My neck hurts and my head feels like a manticore used it as a set of bongos," she rasped. "Could I get some water?"

"Yes, of course," the doctor replied with a chuckle. "I'll bring you something in a moment. Now, you've lost a lot of blood so you're going to have to stay in here for a few days." He scribbled down something on the chart then looked back up. "Don't worry about your wound; it isn't infected and it stitched up beautifully. Actually, speaking of that, I'm going to need to change that dressing soon. I'll get you some water then I'll be back to swap that."

"Thanks." Rainbow laid her head back down and fidgeted, trying to get comfortable, agitating her neck. She looked at Lightning Dust, still wearing all her armor, sleeping peacefully and drooling all over her helmet. "Lightning," she whispered, trying not to disturb the other sleeping patients. Lightning didn't move. "Lightning!" she whispered a bit louder. Lightning snorted and rolled over.

Rainbow sighed and rolled her eyes. She grabbed her chart out of the bin and tossed it at her, landing it flat on her head. Lightning yelped and scrambled to her hooves, like a startled cat. Rainbow chuckled at her friend as she walked over.

"Hey! You're awake! How do you feel?" Lightning asked excitedly.

"I'll live," she replied dryly. "What happened after I passed out?"

"The griffons ran off just before I came to check on you, and the Captain had us hide in a cloud bank. We lost the other ship and are making repairs now." Lightning began to recount the battle to her, becoming increasingly excited as she told the story. The doctor approached the bed and set a mug of water next to Rainbow.

"I'm going to change that dressing now."

"Yeah, thanks, Doc." She sat up to give the doctor access to the bandage. He carefully removed the blood soaked rag and began to replace it. Lightning clapped her hoof over her forehead.

"I forgot! Spitfire wanted me to tell her when you woke up! I will be back in a minute; I gotta go find her." Lightning spun on her heels and galloped out of the infirmary, slapping her helmet back on as she galloped away. Rainbow watched her leave, frowning.

"She's a good friend. She stayed by your side from the moment she brought you down here," Sarge said as he finished up.

"Yeah," Rainbow agreed. She laid her head down and stared at the door, ears drooping as she wondered why Twilight hadn't been there too. She took a sip of the water, the cool liquid soothing her dry throat. The doctor finished re-applying the bandage and then moved on to his other patients.

~~~~~

Luna and Twilight left the bridge and headed down to their private rooms. After having been awake most of the night, sleep was trying to catch up to Twilight, and her eyelids kept threatening to close on her. She walked into her room and turned around. Spitfire took up a place next to her door, and Dusk Mail did the same as Luna went into her own room.

"Good ni, er, morning, I suppose," Twilight said as she closed the door.

"You too Twilight. Oh, I almost forgot. Congratulations on surviving your first assassination attempt." Luna replied. Twilight looked at her quizzically for a moment. Luna grinned and continued. "Don't worry, they get more interesting over time."

“What do you mean by ‘interesting’?” Twilight asked.

“Remind me to tell you about the time the Black Hoof used a shrinking spell to smuggle a hydra under my bed.”

Twilight chuckled and shook her head, then shut the door. She trotted over to her bed, exhausted. She slid under the covers and laid her head down on the pillow, sleep drifting over her in a slow wave. Lightning Dust's excited voice from in the hall, however, kept her from the sleep she so desperately needed. Wasn't she supposed to be below with Rainbow Dash? In her drowsy state, it took a few moments for it to click in her mind that Rainbow was probably awake. She lept back out of bed, weariness now evacuating her body. She rushed back over to the door and swung it open. Lightning Dust had just finished speaking and Spitfire turned to face Twilight.

"Princess, Rainbow has just woken up and I'm about to head down to check on her. I'm sure you'd like to see how she's doing."

"Yes, I'd like to come too." Twilight rushed back into her room and grabbed a book off the shelf with her magic, then followed Spitfire and Lightning Dust down to the medical bay. Twilight entered the room smiling but her mood quickly soured as she saw how many had been hurt or killed during the attack. Ponies with grievous wounds sat around the med bay. A couple were missing limbs and there were several filled body bags laying on the opposite end of the room.

Captain Cloud was speaking to Sergeant Stethoscope next to the bodies. She couldn't hear what they were saying; Cloud's head was lowered, ears laid back, with his eyes closed as the doctor spoke. Sarge put a hoof to the captain's shoulder before turning around and heading back to his patients. Captain Cloud lingered for a moment then turned and made for the door. Twilight stopped him just before he left and asked, "Are you alright, Captain?" She lowered her head to try to look into his eyes. He turned his head to the side, not allowing her to make eye contact. He spoke clearly but quietly, grief edging his voice.

"No, but thank you for asking. I just got the casualty report from the Sergeant. Thirteen dead and twenty-two wounded." He hesitated for a moment and looked back at the floor. "Zealous Sword was killed. He was my second lieutenant, and a good friend."

Twilight was taken aback for a moment. "I'm sorry," she looked away from the Captain and at the body bags in the back of the room. Her chest tightened up as grief welled up inside her. She didn't know any of those ponies, but they were her subjects and her responsibility. If I hadn't been on the ship, it wouldn't have been attacked and... she looked down at the floor. "I'm so sorry," she said again.

Captain Cloud straightened his jacket and stood tall, clearing his throat. He spoke louder now, forcing a chipper tone into his words. "It's alright. There is no need to worry for me, Princess. The Rising Moon will not be without her captain. I will do my duty, as we all must."

"Of course," was all Twilight could come up with in reply. The Captain left the room, freeing Twilight to find Rainbow Dash.

~~~~~

Rainbow looked back at the door as Lightning Dust led Spitfire and Twilight into the medical bay. Lightning and Spitfire trotted directly over to her but Twilight stopped in the doorway, carrying a book in her horn's aura. Rainbow smiled upon seeing her friends enter the room and then she sat up as Spitfire stopped next to her bed.

"How do ya feel, newbie?" Spitfire asked with a grin.

"Pretty good, considering."

"Yeah, 'considering' that you took on a trained griffon assassin by yourself and won," Lightning Dust chimed in.

"Well not all by myself. Twilight saved my life as much as I did hers. The griffon had me pinned and she knocked him off," Rainbow said, nodding in Twilight's direction. The image of the knife flashed across her vision as she remembered how helpless she felt when the griffon had her at his mercy. She shuddered.

"In any case, good job. I'm sorry we left you defending the princess alone; we had to help the weather team. A guard getting left alone like that in combat is unusual and shouldn't happen again," Spitfire said, matter of factly.

Rainbow raised her hoof and waved away the apology. "There's no need to explain to me, I understand. Anyway it all turned out alright."

"That it did. Well this isn't just a social call." Spitfire's demeanor quickly transformed from "friendly teammate" to "down-to-business captain" in an instant, "I'm here to debrief you too."

"Alright."

"Did the griffon say anything to you that could give some sort of indication as to his affiliation?"

"No ma'am."

"Did he have any sort of special markings on his weapons or clothing that could help us identify him?"

"Not that I saw."

"Well, I guess it was too much to hope for some new information," Spitfire sighed, Twilight approached now, and stood next to Lightning Dust, patiently waiting for Spitfire to finish. "And how is your wound? When will you be able to go back on duty?"

"The Sarge says that I have to stay in bed for several days," Rainbow replied, rolling her eyes. She recited what the doctor told her with disdain, thinking of the long days she would be spending down here. "The knife cut a couple sorta important things, I don't remember what they're called; no arteries, though I did lose a lot of blood, and I have to stay in bed until it's healed, and I can't perform any sort of strenuous activities."

Lightning snickered at Rainbow's tone while she spoke; then Spitfire continued, sounding like a mother scolding her filly for picking at a band aid.

"And you are going to do just that. I don't need a mare on my team who keeps going down because of an improperly healed wound."

"Yes mom. Ma'am! Yes ma'am!" Twilight and Lightning tumbled over each other laughing while Spitfire glared menacingly at Rainbow.

"Good. Lightning, have you gotten any rest yet?"

Lightning crossed her eyes to look up at the strand of drool dripping down her nose guard. "Yes ma'am, a little bit," she replied.

"Are you rested enough to take this shift?" Spitfire asked.

"Yeah, I should be fine." she replied.

Good, then I'm heading to my bunk to get some shut-eye." Spitfire turned and trotted out of the infirmary.

Twilight walked to the side of the table and set her book down next to Rainbow.

"Hey. I figured you would be stuck down here for a couple days so I brought you something to read in the meantime."

Rainbow picked the book up in her hooves and read the cover, "Walther Colt: The Mare with the Golden Gun."

"It's about a suave secret agent. I thought it might be your kind of book," Twilight said. She smiled worriedly at Rainbow as she turned the book over and read the back.

Rainbow grinned, "Thanks Twilight, this is great."

Twilight grabbed Rainbow and hugged her tightly. "I'm so glad that you're alright."

"Yeah, me too," Rainbow said. She squeezed back, ignoring the pain in her neck and shoulder. She thought back to her dream.

Maybe I should tell Twilight about it, she thought. But the moment passed and they let go.

"You're sure you're okay?" Twilight asked through a yawn.

"Yeah Twi, I'm fine," she smiled to reassure her, feeling far less confident than she looked.

"Well, let me know if you need anything. I'm going to head back to my cabin and try to get some sleep." Twilight turned around and and started towards the door.

"I will, and thanks again for the book." Rainbow sighed as she watched them go. She laid back down and closed her eyes. They don’t need to know, she thought. Only little fillies are scared of bad dreams.

Chapter 5

Day 8
Midday

Twilight laid on the starboard railing of the bridge deck, her back right leg dangling over the side with the rest tucked under her, alternating between reading her book and watching Thunderlane run PT drills with his weather team. Several other groups were exercising, in the air and on the deck. Wind rustled her mane as the Wonderbolts soared past her. Spitfire was having them fly laps around the ship, except for Fleet Foot and Rainbow Dash; the former standing watch a few meters away from Twilight and the latter still recovering in the sick bay.

Twilight's eyes drifted over the words on the page, without really paying attention, as her thoughts tore her mind away from the book. A splash of bright colors in the corner of her vision drew her eyes to the stairs leading up to the deck. Rainbow Dash walked onto the deck and trotted towards Twilight, a blithe grin on her face. Twilight hopped off the rail and met her halfway across the deck.

"Hey Rainbow! It's great to see you up here." Twilight greeted her, wrapping her forehooves around Rainbow's neck in a crushing hug.

"Ow, ow, ow! Leggo!" Rainbow said, pushing Twilight off of her. "It's good to see you too, but this still hurts." She rubbed the left side of her neck, just under a long, jagged, red scar.

"Sorry," Twilight grinned apologetically. She led the way back over to where she had been sitting and draped herself comfortably back over the railing. "Did you enjoy the book I brought you?"

"Yeah, it's really good. I haven't quite finished it yet though." Rainbow leaned leisurely against the railing as she spoke.

"I have the next two in the series with me if you would like to read them when you’re done" Twilight suggested.

"Sure, sounds good," Rainbow said without looking at her. She was looking out over the railing still smiling but not really paying attention.

"Are you going to join your team for PT?" Twilight asked.

"No."

Twilight cocked her head and laid her ears against her head, frowning. "Why not?" she asked, trying to pull Rainbow into a conversation. After a minute she turned and looked at Twilight. Finally able to see her face, Twilight saw dark circles under Rainbow's eyes, and red veins criss-crossing the whites of her eyes.

"Huh?" Rainbow said.

Twilight rolled her eyes and asked again. "Why aren't you going to join your team for PT?"

"Oh, the doc says to take it easy for a couple days. If I go flying or anything I might pull something in my shoulder or neck and impede the healing."

"Are you alright?" Twilight asked with concern leaking into her voice.

"Uh, yeah, I'm fine, why?"

"Well, you seem distracted," Twilight paused while Rainbow yawned, "...and tired. Have you been sleeping alright?"

"No, not really," Rainbow met Twilight's eyes and her grin faded but then she seemed to shy back, then looked away. "Uh, I guess it's kinda hard to sleep with an achy neck... The scar is just sore sometimes and it makes it hard to sleep."

"Alright..." Twilight said slowly, unwilling to let the topic lie but unable to coax her into speaking of it further.

She glanced back over at the weather team as they did push ups with their wings, chanting a cadence led by Thunderlane. They had been at it for almost an hour now and were all panting and sweaty. Thunderlane stood up and flicked the sweat off of his tail, swishing it back and forth. Her eyes followed the blue lines on his tail to its base then slid across his dark grey back to his flank and to his cutie mark; a thundercloud with a lightning bolt striking out from the bottom. She inspected it for a short moment, then she traced the sharp lines of his thigh muscles, across to his side and to his rippling shoul-

"Um, why don't you just go talk to him?" Rainbow Dash asked, interrupting her thoughts.

"What? Who?" she said quickly, then she shoved her nose back into her book to hide her reddening face. Rainbow laughed nervously. Her voice was still a little tense but she seemed to be making an effort to forget what had been bothering her.

"Whatdya mean who? The stallion you've been boring holes into with your eyes for the past two minutes," she said with a grin.

"I wasn't just looking at Thunderlane, I was watching the whole weather team," Twilight said quietly.

"I never said 'Thunderlane,' but thanks for letting me know who you were ogling," Rainbow couldn't stop herself from laughing now as Twilight's face turned completely red. After a few moments Rainbow regained her composure, albeit loosely, and continued. "C'mon, just go talk to him. What could possibly go wrong?"

Twilight sighed. “Fine, I’ll go talk to him, if you can be quiet," Twilight whispered as Rainbow's boisterous laughing drew a few glances from some of the crew on the deck.

"Alright, alright, I'll stop." Rainbow quieted down but couldn't keep away short bursts of giggles as Twilight got off the railing and started towards Thunderlane. Her face flushed again and she turned her eyes down at the deck as she thought of what she was going to say. She looked back up at Thunderlane. The group was cleaning up after their workout and moving off the deck. Thunderlane had a towel in his teeth and he was wiping off the sweat from his back. Then he looked right at her. Her gaze locked right on his striking yellow eyes and she froze mid stride, her mind going blank. He paused for a moment, then set the towel on his back and trotted over to her.

"Hello, Princess," he said cheerfully, stopping a few feet in front of her. Her mouth opened to respond but nothing came out. She raked through her mind, searching for the words that seemed to have disappeared from her memory. Say something!

"Good morning!" she said, her voice cracking slightly. That was stupid. It's noon. she thought, mentally kicking herself. Her heart was beating quickly now; she hadn't been this nervous since she was late to send a letter to Celestia. She stared at Thunderlane, completely silent. He grinned awkwardly, then after a moment of silence said,

"It's a lovely day isn't it?" He looked up at the sky to break the uncomfortable eye contact.

"Yes, yes it is," Twilight said while she tried to find something interesting on the floor to look at. This isn't going well. Thunderlane looked back at Twilight.

"Is there something I could help you with?" he asked. She brought her eyes back up to his.

"Yes! I was wondering if you would like to... uh," her voice trailed off as doubt got the better of her. One of the officers trotted by and the sunlight reflected off the hilt of his sword, catching Twilight's attention. "Would like to... teach me how to use a sword?" she blurted out.

Thunderlane cocked his head and raised an eyebrow. "I, um... sure. I can't now, I need to go get ready for the next shift. I don't have watch tomorrow morning; we can begin then."

"That sounds great! I'll see you then!" Twilight said with a nervous chuckle, then she pivoted on her heels and walked back towards Rainbow Dash. Rainbow stared at Twilight with a self satisfied grin. "I hope you're happy," Twilight said, her voice filled with disdain. "That was the most embarrassing thing I've ever done."

"I am," she replied. "What did you say?"

"I asked him to teach me how to swordfight."

Rainbow burst out laughing again and fell to the deck.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Twilight kicked the railing and then picked up her book. "I'm going to my cabin."

Rainbow stood up and tried to compose herself. "Wait, Twi, wait. I'm sorry. I really do hope it goes well for you. But still, why swordfighting? Why didn't you just ask him to a private dinner or something?"

"I don't know. He's cute and I panicked." She glanced back over at Thunderlane as he laughed at something a blue pegasus mare had said.

"Well you didn't seem to freak him out too badly. It'll be fine."

"Yeah, I hope so."

~~~~~

"Well that was weird," Thunderlane said to himself as he watched the princess walk away.

"What'd she want?" Sapphire Sky asked as she trotted over next to him.

"Uh, she wants me to teach her how to use a sword."

"Huh. She was awful fidgety to just be asking for lessons."

"Yeah, I don't know why."

"She likes you."

Thunderlane laughed loudly and punched her shoulder playfully. "Good one." She was not amused. "Wait, you're serious? No she doesn't. She's royalty; why would she be interested in me?"

"She was just a unicorn a little while ago. Just because she's an alicorn now doesn't mean she lost all her feelings. Besides, I know what a crush looks like. She's acting the same as I did when I first met you," Sapphire said.

"Huh." He looked back over at Twilight; she and Rainbow Dash were heading off the bridge. "You really think so?"

"You don't get nervous like that to just ask for lessons."

"Yeah, I guess not," Thunderlane said slowly, distracted by thought. "Prince Thunderlane, I like the sound of that."

Sapphire looked at him with a sneer and scoffed, "What is wrong with you?"

"Nothing, I'm just saying," he said, trying to sound innocent. "Hey, do you think I'll get one of those fancy horns when I'm a prince?"

Sapphire smacked the back of his head with her wing playfully and started walking away. "C'mon, for now, you're still just a sailor and our watch is about to start."

"Alright; let's go." He chuckled and began to follow her off the bridge but was stopped by Shake Spear on the stairs.

"Ah, Thunderlane, I've been looking for you. The Captain would like to see you in his cabin."

"Alright. I'll head straight there." He turned to Sapphire again and said, "Go ahead; I'll catch up after I see what the captain wants."

"Ok, I'll see ya later," she trotted off and Thunderlane followed the lieutenant down the stairs to the mid deck then through the private quarters to the captain's cabin.

The room was larger than the other private rooms and had more furnishings. A few paintings, mostly of ships or the sea, lined the walls. One stood out from the others, a portrait of the captain and his wife hanging on front of his bed. Sunlight streamed in from the large windows on the stern side of the room, glinting off the glass bottles filled with miniature ships, arranged neatly on the shelves of a repurposed bookcase. Above the shelves was a rack of Cloud’s specially made swords. There was a desk in the middle, at which sat the captain. He was, as usual, in his uniform, with his hat laying on the table. He looked up from the papers and maps in front of him as Thunderlane trotted in. Thunderlane stopped just inside the doorway and saluted.

"Good afternoon sir," he said.

"Afternoon," Cloud replied, returning the salute. "At ease."

"Thank you sir." He put his hoof down and relaxed a little. The captain stood up and walked around to the front of the table.

"As you know, Zealous Sword was killed during our engagement with the griffon ship, leaving us without a second lieutenant. You've been on this ship the longest and have more experience than the other midship ponies here." Cloud picked up a small case from his desk and hoofed it over to him. "Congratulations Lieutenant Thunderlane. These go on your uniform."

Thunderlane's breath caught in his throat as he took the case. "Thank you sir," he said after a moment.

"I've known you for a long time Thunderlane; you deserve this."

Thunderlane smiled as he opened the case and saw the shiny silver bars.

"Oh and one more thing," Cloud picked up a bicorn hat from beside his desk and set it on Thunderlane's head. "Befitting of your new station I believe."

"Will I still be in charge of the weather team?" Thunderlane asked.

"Yes. For now, your duties in regard to the weather team will remain the same. But your other responsibilities will change. During your watch, you will be fully in charge of the ship. You will be in charge of navigation, keeping a log on wind and weather, and assisting Shake Spear and myself with making decisions on the ship. I will send a full list of your new duties to your cabin. If you have any questions, I will be happy to oblige. Once again, congratulations," Cloud stretched out his hoof towards Thunderlane.

Thunderlane took his hoof and shook it vigorously. "Thank you," he said again.

"Now I do believe that this is your watch," Cloud said with a smile. "Dismissed."

"Yes sir." Thunderlane turned and trotted out of the cabin with a new hat, new position, and a massive grin.

Chapter 6

Day 9
Late Morning

Twilight stood on the bow of the Rising Moon, staring out over the vast ocean laid out before her. The sunlight shimmered off the waves as they crashed against the white, sandy beaches. On the northern horizon, Twilight could see the towering skyline of Baltimare. Seagulls orbited the ship as it sailed through the air, calling out to each other. Twilight leaned against the port railing and inhaled deeply, and the salty sea air tickled her nose. Twilight snapped her hoof to her muzzle as she sneezed.

"Gesundhoof," Thunderlane said, after leaning two, wooden practice swords on the railing.

"Thank you," Twilight replied, setting her hoof back on the deck and turning around. Twilight levitated a quill, ink jar and a notepad off of the railing. "I've bought plenty of paper and ink to take notes." She settled onto her haunches and dipped her quill in the ink. "So I'm ready! Unless there's a textbook. Do I need one?"

Thunderlane raised an eyebrow and gazed at her for a moment. The corners of his lips twitched up into an amused smile. "No, you won't need a textbook. This is going to be a bit more of a 'hooves on' training experience so..." He pushed one of the swords across to her.

"Oh," Twilight blushed and smiled, setting her note-taking equipment to the side and lifting her sword into the air with her magic.

“Make sure the straps are tight enough so that it doesn’t fall off your hoof but not so much that it cuts off circulation to your leg.”

“Can’t I just hold it with my magic?” she asked.

“You could, but I don’t know how to sword fight using magic. The only thing I can teach you is how to fight with your hooves. Besides, any combat spell you could learn would probably be better than holding a sword in your aura. But this will be useful if you ever find yourself in a situation where magic is not an option.”

“Alright,” Twilight said with a shrug and slid her hoof into the weapon’s sleeve.

"So, what's the first rule of swordplay?" Thunderlane asked.

"Um, this end's for stabbing, this end's for grabbing?" she said hesitantly, pointing to the blade and then the hilt. Thunderlane threw his head back and laughed loudly. Several seagulls that had been perched on a nearby railing squawked in protest and took to the air. Twilight blushed and chuckled nervously.

"No, but great guess," he said, bringing himself under control, "The first rule of sword fighting is that there are no rules. When somepony is trying to kill you, don’t let them. It’s not like naval warfare, where most would adhere to polite traditions. Before I teach you how to swordfight, I need you to know that I’m teaching you how to kill, and you shouldn’t commit to this unless you’re ready to do it when the time comes.

"I- I understand," Twilight said with a nod after a moment’s hesitation.

"Good. Now, put on your sword." While Thunderlane turned to get his own sword, Twilight took the opportunity to scribble down the rule into her notepad, splattering ink across the small paper with her frantically written note. When she finished, she toyed with the buckles on her sword for a moment before it rested comfortably on her hoof. It was bit heavy, but manageable. Twilight hoped that the extra strength being an alicorn gave her would come in handy. She looked back at Thunderlane, his own blade was already securely attached to his right forehoof, twirling the tip of his sword in small circles as he waited.

"Alright, for now I need to see where you are at with this, so we’ll spar for a few minutes."

Twilight gulped. Thunderlane chuckled and said, "Don't worry, I'll hold back. Just defend yourself to the best of your ability. Are you ready?"

Twilight lifted her sword and shook it experimentally a few times. "Yes."

He shifted into a readied stance, turning his right side to her slightly and holding his sword out in front of him; Twilight did her best to mimic his pose.

“Three, two, one, go!” He lifted his sword above his head and struck downward. Twilight hopped backwards and brought her sword up to deflect the blow.

~~~~~

"Quit backing up! Lean into the strike!" Lightning Dust yelled out as Twilight retreated across the deck.

"Use the terrain! Back him against the bowsprit!" Rainbow Dash added.

"Yes thank you, I'll get right on that!" Twilight called back, annoyed, as she lost for the fifth time in two minutes. Rainbow and Lightning laughed in unison as Thunderlane drew her off to the side to give her tips.

"She's actually doing pretty good for her first time," Rainbow said.

"What are you talking about? When we had combat training we were way better than this, and it was our first time too."

"I guess so. Let's just cut her some slack; she's trying pretty hard."

"Whatever. I'm just glad I got this watch; none of the others have been this entertaining," Lightning said. Rainbow sat back against the rail and yawned. Lightning gave her a sideways glance and asked, "You sleep okay last night?"

"Not really." Rainbow looked away for a moment and frowned then turned back and said, "Hey can I ask you something?"

Lightning Dust leaned back next to her on the railing and rested her musket next to her. "Sure, shoot."

"When the griffons attacked and you were fighting on the deck, were you afraid?"

"Ha, no of course not." Rainbow frowned as Lightning continued, "why would I be? I can handle myself; fear is for ponies who can't."

Rainbow dropped her gaze to the floor and put her hoof to the bandage on her neck.

"What brought that up?" she asked giving Rainbow an inquisitive look.

"Uh, I don't know. Just curious I guess." Rainbow shrugged. She looked back up as Twilight and Thunderlane began sparring again. She showed marked improvement; namely, she hadn't lost yet.

"Hey, I guess you were right. She's not doing that badl- oh, nevermind." Lightning stepped forward and back onto all four hooves as Thunderlane got the better of Twilight, again.

Rainbow yawned again, her eyelids drooping. "I'm gonna head below and try to get some sleep."

~~~~

A few minutes, and several lost duels later, Twilight put up a hoof, begging for a respite. Thunderlane lowered his sword and smiled. "Well done. Most ponies don't do that well their first try."

Twilight doubled over, panting and sweating profusely. "What are you talking about? You demolished me every time!"

"True, but it wasn’t easy. You were able to close off most openings in your defenses before I could exploit them, so you lasted quite a while. It does still need to be honed but you should be able to pick up the techniques quickly. Where you are lacking is in offence. Each time you struck back, you left clear openings, swung too widely, and drew back too far, amongst other things. Let's take a break, and after that I will show you some basic combinations that will allow you to go from defense to offence and back fluidly."

"Thank you!" Twilight hobbled over to the railing on the starboard side of the bowsprit and collapsed against it, laying her head down on top. Thunderlane laughed and trotted over next to her. He unbuckled his sword as he sat down, and laid it next to him. He took a deep breath and sighed, smiling.

"I'm glad we're finally back at the ocean. I love flying like this."

Twilight lifted her head and turned to look at him. "Can’t you go flying anytime you want?" she asked glancing at his wings.

"Yeah I know, but it's different. There's something special about being on an airship." Thunderlane shrugged. Twilight gazed back over the ocean. They sat in silence for a minute, enjoying the view. "Isn't this your first time being to the ocean?" he asked.

"Yes it is," Twilight replied after a moment, somewhat distracted by the view.

"And what do you think?" Thunderlane asked, shifting his body to face her.

"It's beautiful. I’ve read about it before, but the way it's described in books doesn't quite capture it."

"I'm glad you're enjoying it. I've been at this for a quite a while and the view still gets me every time."

"And just how long have you been doing this?" Twilight asked, turning to look at him, too tired now to be nervous when talking with him.

"It'll be ten years by the time we reach the Commonwealth."

"That's a long time. How much of that time was spent on the Rising Moon?"

"Six years, not including leave time, which I spend with my family in Ponyville. I spent four on the Dark Star, a mare-of-war from the fifth fleet, as part of its weather team. I was transferred here at Captain Cloud's request."

"Why'd he request your transfer?" Twilight asked, resting her chin on her hoof. Thunderlane continued, to Twilight's pleasure.

"We were both present during a skirmish over one of the colonies, Flankfurt I think, and I impressed him, so he put in for my transfer after the battle, and he promoted me to midshippony shortly after."

"Wow, what'd you do that impressed him so much?" she asked. Thunderlane smirked at her.

"I'll tell you later; you wanted to learn to fight with a sword, and you’re gonna do just that. We've rested long enough, so let's get back to it." Thunderlane picked his sword back up and slid it onto his hoof. Twilight groaned and stood back up.

"Alright." she said with a sigh.

~~~~~

“Ahoy! Sail astern!”

Twilight and Thunderlane stopped their duel and looked to the stern, where the shout had originated. They saw Captain Cloud rush from his place on the quarterdeck up to taffrail on the bridge.

“Let’s go see what’s going on,” Thunderlane said, motioning for Twilight to follow him as he started towards the bridge.

“What’s happening, Captain?” he asked as they trotted up to the small group that had gathered at the taffrail.

“See for yourself,” he replied, handing Thunderlane a spyglass and pointing at a spot on the horizon.

Thunderlane lifted it to his eye and scanned the sky for what everypony was looking at. Twilight leaned around him and tried to see for herself. After a moment she spotted it, a barely visible silhouette of a ship’s hull and sails.

“Oh ponyfeathers.” Thunderlane said under his breath.

The captain stepped back from the rail. “Stow that language lieutenant. It simply will not do in front of the crew, much less the princess,” he said with a nod at Twilight.

“Of course, sorry, Captain. Do you think it’s the same ship that ambushed us?”

“I’m sure of it, and we are going to have to push much harder if we want to keep away from them.”

“We’d have to bend every sail to do that. With the damage it took in the battle, the foremast won’t hold under that kind of stress.” Thunderlane pointed out.

“We’ll only fly the jibs and staysails, that should give us some of the extra wind we need without destroying the mast, but it won’t be enough.” Cloud replied.

“Wait, are you saying that they are going to catch us?” Twilight asked.

“Undoubtedly, but we may be able to outrun them long enough to reach Trotuga,” Cloud replied. “While they don’t abide by Equestrian law, they won’t take kindly to a mare-of-war attacking ships in their port. We’ll be safe there. Regrettably, I must cut your lesson short, I need my lieutenant for the moment.”

“I understand, do what you need to do.”

“Lieutenant, go see what the carpenters can do about reinforcing the foremast, then come find me,” the Captain said.

“Yes, sir,” Thunderlane replied, then turned to Twilight. “We can pick your training back up tomorrow. You may actually need it soon.”

Chapter 7

Day 13
Afternoon

"C'mon Morning Star; you're doing great," Thunderlane encouraged as Star hobbled across the med bay towards him. In place of his right leg was a wooden peg, beginning just above where his knee would have been. Daisy Petal walked by his right side, supporting him as he moved forwards, while the Sarge stood off to one side observing Star's movement. Without his knee, Star had to swing his leg out to the side every time he took a step.

"Yeah, right," Morning Star growled as he tripped again. Daisy reached out to catch him but he shrugged her off. "I can do it."

"Alright," Daisy said. She let go and stepped back a bit, still close enough to help if he fell again though.

"Yeah, you can do it!" Silver Wing cheered from beside Thunderlane. April Shower and Sapphire Sky stood on his other side giving encouragement of their own as well. April's brow furrowed in concern as Star caught himself from another fall. Daisy trotted over to him and put a hoof on his shoulder.

"Let's try again in an hour or so; you need to rest," she said softly.

"I've been resting for over a week!" he shouted, glaring at Daisy. She shied away. His gaze softened and he said, quieter now, “I’m sorry. I'm not used to walking yet; just give me a chance."

Daisy sighed and looked over at the Sarge, who gave a slight nod. Daisy stepped back. Morning Star limped forward, grimacing each time he put weight onto his wooden leg. He made it halfway across the room before wobbling again. April let out a small gasp, but then he righted himself and continued forward. The weather team began cheering once more. Star's face was twisted with strain, but he continued until he stood just in front of Thunderlane.

"Good show, Hobbles," Thunderlane said with a smile. There was a loud crack as Morning Star brought his wooden leg down on Thunderlane's head with surprising speed.

"Hey, ow, hey. You can't do that; that's assault on a superior officer!" Thunderlane yelped playfully, skipping backwards away from his attacker and rubbing his head with his right hoof. Morning Star and the rest of the team laughed.

"You had that coming!" Silver said, slapping a hoof over Thunderlane's shoulder.

"Hey, Sarge, does this mean he can go back to work?" Thunderlane asked across the room.

"I have no idea, let me check," he replied, a perplexed expression coloring his features. Stethoscope trotted across the room and picked up a bone saw. "What do you think?"

Thunderlane rolled his eyes and smiled. "What's he say Doc?" After a moment of listening, the doctor looked back over to them.

"She says that Morning Star should not go back to full duties immediately. He should build the strength back up in his leg and check back with the doctor for the next few days. Also, he needs to make sure he take one of the pills I gave him with each meal. But he no longer needs to stay in the med bay."

"Pardon me, miss; I did not mean to offend. Thank you very much for your diagnosis," Thunderlane said, putting a hoof up defensively.

"Ah, no harm done, lieutenant. She forgives you," Stethoscope said, waving his hoof in the air dismissively.

"Well that's good news, in any case," Morning Star replied. "Let's go up top. I'm sick of being down here. Thanks for everything, doc, but I need to see the sky!" He limped around Thunderlane and moved as quickly as he could towards the door.

"Please take it slow!" Daisy Petal pleaded. "I don't want you to have to come back down here."

"Fine, fine. I'll take it easy," he grumbled, slowing down.

"Wait for us, Hobbles," Thunderlane said, trotting to catch up. Star glared and growled at Thunderlane over his shoulder.

"It's like you want him to hit you again," Sapphire said, walking beside him.

"Hey, Thunderlane, weren't you supposed to be giving the princess sword instruction?" April asked.

"Yeah, at fifteen-hundred. Why?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Because six bells was sounded about five minutes ago."

"Oh ponyfeathers, I didn't hear it!" Thunderlane kicked the floor and started to gallop away. "Thanks for the reminder April. Silver, c'mon."

"See you guys at dinner," Sapphire called after them.

~~~~~

A pall had settled over the ship and its crew. The ponies on duty went about their work quietly, the few that carried conversations did so in hushed tones. There was a constant watch on the aft of the ship, keeping an eye on their pursuer. The mare-of-war had gotten noticeably closer over the past few days. For hours each day, the Captain had the crew run firing drills on the guns, cutting down their loading time and keeping them ready for the seemingly inevitable encounter.

Twilight had done her best to keep her mind off the threat, pouring herself into her books and training with Thunderlane. Now she watched from the bow as lightning bolts struck out from the bottom of the massive thunderhead that the Rising Moon was heading directly towards. The cloud was huge, stretching endlessly to the port of the ship. On the right, the storm blocked the path for several kilometers, then rounded off and opened up to the sky again. As they drew closer to the storm, the wind had picked up considerably, and the sails had been reefed somewhat to prevent the ship from being damaged. The high winds whipped Twilight's mane into her eyes. She put her hoof up to hold her hair back so she could see the tempest.

She turned to look at Rainbow Dash, who stood off to the side of the bow keeping watch. Twilight frowned and laid her ears back. Her friend had been getting increasingly more tired as the days passed but she refused to tell Twilight if something was bothering her. Even now her head nodded dangerously, threatening to drag her into sleep. Twilight couldn't help but feel as though she should tell Spitfire about her friend's condition, but she was torn. If she told Spitfire, her friend may lose her chance at becoming a Wonderbolt.

Twilight turned around at the sound of rushed hoofsteps behind her, tearing her from her thoughts. Thunderlane and a light grey pegasus, with a green mane and tail, trotted up to her, carrying between them a large barrel filled with an assortment of various weapons. She trotted to meet them halfway across the deck, giving the grey pony a sideways glance as she approached. Next to them now, she could see axes, swords, a couple of muskets, and several other things, resting in the barrel.

"Sorry we're late, Twilight. We lost track of time," Thunderlane said apologetically as they set down the plethora of arms. "Good afternoon, Rainbow," he called to the drowsy mare, who didn't seem to hear him.

"She's little tired. So, what shall I be learning about today?" she queried, eyeing the various instruments of war. She forced a happy expression on to her face. I'll ask her about it again later, she vowed silently.

"Different fighting techniques and how to defend against them. These styles are mainly dependent on the type of sword one is using. For instance, if one is using a foil, the style will include a lot of thrusts and stabs," Thunderlane explained. As he continued, he held his hoof up, as though holding a sword, and deftly maneuvered around Twilight, to illustrate his explanation. "Any swordfighting is also highly dependent on hoofwork, moving your hooves properly to keep yourself in an advantageous position."

"But we will mostly be using cutlasses, right?" Twilight asked, lifting up the curved training sword. Thunderlane stopped his live demo and replied,

"Yes, that's right. The style implemented with the cutlass is much different than the foil; since it is heavier and has an actual bladed edge, it will require more strength behind a strike. It also invokes the use of cuts and slashes, rather than, almost exclusively, stabs." He picked up a musket as he spoke and hoofed it to Silver Wing. "While you are learning how to use the cutlass, you will need to know how to use it to defend yourself against the different weapons you may encounter.

“There is a large variety of weapons in common use nowadays. Most cultures have a few things specific to them," Thunderlane continued. "In Saddle Arabia, they use scimitars mostly; similar to a cutlass but the curve of the blade is much more extreme. Alternatively, many griffons like to stick with their traditional weapons, broadswords, axes, and the like; and of course on ships you will also run into ponies using boarding pikes and hatchets. Pegasi and griffons often use wingblades, but mostly in the air; they can sometimes be a hassle when fighting on hoof. Marines and regular Army troops will be using a standard issue musket and bayonet. There are also many other styles that don't see common use anymore, such as the claymore or the katana."

Twilight chuckled, "That's a lot of weapons. Do I have to learn how to counter all of them?"

"No, probably not. Just the main ones such as the cutlasses, muskets, boarding weapons, and the prime griffon choices. That should be it. Later, if we need to, I can instruct you on how to defend against some of the weapons that are less prominent, but that shouldn't be necessary. Today I will be observing so I can better instruct you on where you need to improve. That's why my friend Silver Wing is here; you'll be fighting him rather than me."

"Oh, ok," Twilight replied. She reached out her hoof to Silver to shake. "A pleasure to meet you."

"And you as well, Princess." Silver took her hoof in his and shook.

Twilight turned back to Thunderlane and asked, "So, where should we begin?"

~~~~~

Dusk

Twilight twisted her sword and yanked it to the side, pulling Silver Wing off balance as the blade caught under the hook of his hatchet. He corrected quickly and slapped her blade to the side. She skipped backwards, keeping her sword at the ready, but hoping for a moment to catch her breath before he advanced again. Sweat slipped from her brow and down her nose, then dripped onto the deck. She panted as Silver circled to her right. Twilight shifted on her hooves to keep him in front of her.

"Good legwork, but keep your hooves wider. You'll be unbalanced too easily with that stance," Thunderlane instructed from the sidelines. Silver Wing dashed forward, sweeping the hatchet towards her legs from a low angle. She thrust the sword down to intercept. She lifted her left forehoof, hopping over the swing. Silver had extended too far, and Twilight saw an opening. Before he could readjust to block, she laid the flat of her blade onto his neck.

"Well done!" Thunderlane called out, trotting over to them. "I do believe that's your first 'win'."

"What?" Twilight looked at Thunderlane's amused expression then down to where her sword lay. "Oh, I did win! Ha!" Twilight beamed and she gave a few excited hops.

"I think that’ll do for today," Thunderlane said. He began picking up the training weapons that were strewn about the deck and placing them into the barrel. Twilight and Silver helped him gather the last few parcels. A question formed in Twilight's head as she worked. It gnawed at her for a moment, then she asked.

"Thunderlane, is there a fighting style that involves a pony standing on his rear hooves?"

Thunderlane set a musket into the barrel then turned to her and replied, "Yes, there is. Why do you ask?"

Twilight shrugged, "I once saw a filly in Ponyville who was fencing with another pony and they were both balancing on their back hooves. It just had me curious because none of the fighting styles you showed me today do that."

"That's one of the rarer fighting styles; ponies who are able to do it are called 'duelists,' and they're incredibly dangerous if you're fighting one, useful to have on your side though."

"I've seen ponies get on their back hooves for a lot of things though, to play instruments, or to reach high things. What makes them so special?" Twilight sat down next to the weapons barrel while she spoke. Silver answered for Thunderlane.

"'Cause most of those ponies don't have to balance on their back hooves for extended periods of time, or they have something to balance on," Silver said, he stood back onto his rear hooves to demonstrate. he took a few steps before losing his balance and falling back to all fours.

"Yes, they also don't have to do it during combat, or have to move around while they do it," Thunderlane added.

"So, why are they so dangerous?" Twilight continued.

"Because we are experts with a sword. Standing on our back hooves gives us different angles of attack that ponies standing on all four hooves can't defend against easily. I didn't teach you a strategy for fighting one because it is highly unlikely that you will ever face one, and if you do I would just suggest blasting him with a spell or something, rather than letting him get close."

"Are they really that bad?" Twilight asked.

"Most of us."

"Us?" Twilight pried, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, us. I'm a moderately skilled duelist," Thunderlane stated plainly.

"Really? Can you show me?" She asked eagerly.

"Sure." Thunderlane's face turned into an amused grin as he grabbed one of the practice swords and slid it onto his hoof.

"It is almost exclusive to pegasi and griffons, because our wings allow us to balance more easily," he explained as he leaned back and stretched out his wings. He wobbled for a moment then gained his composure. He put his sword into a ready position and began fighting invisible opponents as he continued, "Most ponies who can do it have a cutie mark that has something to do with sword fighting. There are very few ponies who can do it without one."

Twilight chuckled, "Are you boasting or are these just statistics?"

Thunderlane gave a cute little grin. "Maybe a little bit of both. Why, are you impressed yet?"

"Oh yes, very," she replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Great! And I didn't even have to try that hard."

Twilight laughed and said, "Well, let's put all this back where it belongs. I'll help you carry it down if you want."

"That's alright, Princess. It's not that heavy," Silver Wing replied.

"He's right, it's not a problem. Thanks anyway," Thunderlane added. At that moment, a cabin colt rushed onto the bow and saluted Thunderlane quickly.

"Lieutenant! The captain wants to see you and the Princess in his cabin," he said in a rush.

"When?" Thunderlane asked, setting the barrel back down.

"As soon as possible, sir."

"Thank you, dismissed." Thunderlane turned back to Twilight. The colt saluted again and ran off amidships, back towards the captain's cabin.

"Silver, can you find somepony else to help you with this?"

"Sure thing, you guys go ahead," Silver replied, shooing them away with his hoof.

"Thanks." He turned to address Twilight, "Shall we go see what he wants?"

~~~~~

Twilight and Thunderlane entered the captain's cabin where Luna, Cloud and Shake Spear were waiting for them. There were a few dim candles lighting the room, along with the low light of dusk spilling in through the windows at the back of the room, long shadows across the floor and the wall behind Twilight. She peered through the aft windows, hoping for a glimpse of the ship that was following them, but couldn’t make anything out in the darkness.

"Good, we can begin," Cloud said, looking up from the maps on his desk. "I'm sure you are all well aware of the massive storm that is directly in our way. We need to decide what to do about it."

"Wasn't the weather supposed to be calm the whole way to the Commonwealth?" Luna inquired.

"Yes, it was," Shake Spear answered, "A storm of this magnitude at this time of year is... highly irregular, to put it mildly."

"The way I see it, we have two options," Cloud said. "One, we can sail around the northern ridge of this cloud. We don't know how far it extends however. I believe it would add at least a week, if not more, to our trip, and the griffons have a much higher chance of catching up. I realise this isn’t much of an option, but we may at least consider it.”

“Can’t we just go over it?” Twilight asked.

“No, the sails wouldn’t be able to handle the wind speed above this storm. It’s possible that the masts could be torn down if we tried that,” Cloud replied. “The second option is to sail around the south. Going south would barely put us off course and we should reach our destination within the original timeframe."

"Well that sounds good. We should head south then," Twilight concluded.

"That however, will force us to sail through this region," Captain Cloud said, indicating a long, thin stretch of ocean marked on the map. "This area is known for heavy pirate activity, as it crosses several well-traveled trade routes."

"Oh."

"That's why I've asked you all here," Cloud continued. "I believe your input will be helpful in making this decision."

"We've already lost enough time due to the attack. I think we need to risk the southern route. Besides, it's unlikely that any pirate will attack an Equestrian Naval vessel. So long as we fly our flag they will know that we are not some defenseless merchant," Luna said.

"I agree; we don't have the time to waste, especially with the damaged foremast and the griffons behind us," Shake Spear said.

"We can’t chance that ship catching up. We should still be able to outmaneuver any pirates that we encounter, even with a disabled mast." Thunderlane added.

"Besides, you said that most of the pirates would have moved to the southern trade routes by now, right?" Twilight asked, pointing to Shake Spear.

"Yes, that's right. Even if we go south, it is still very unlikely that we will actually be attacked by anyone, unless the griffons catch up," he answered.

"Well then I guess that’s settled," Cloud said. "We will go around the storm to the south."

~~~~~

Rainbow trudged through the dark walkways of the berth deck with her head hung and ears drooping low. She’d decided to head straight to bed after Spitfire had relieved her, determined to finally get some rest. While she’d been on duty, there had been plenty on deck to distract her from the thoughts present at the back of her mind, but here the darkness brought them all to the forefront of attention. Her eyes flicked back and forth, to every shadowy corner she passed by and her hooves dragged with exhaustion. A sharp metallic clang sounded out behind her. She spun like a top, her breath catching in her throat as she saw the griffon assassin, brandishing the long dagger that haunted her dreams, charging towards her. She retreated as fast as her legs could take her and stumbled over a hooflocker before finding herself backed against a support beam. By then it was too late, the griffon raised his blade to strike a fatal blow. Rainbow closed her eyes and fell to the deck, throwing her hooves over her head and waited for the inevitable strike and... nothing happened.

She cracked one eye and looked out between her hooves as a drunk sailor shuffled past, muttering his apologies for startling her. The griffon was nowhere to be seen. Rainbow let out the breath she hadn't realised that she was holding and gasped desperately for air, soothing her burning lungs. She put a hoof to her sweating brow and whispered to herself through heavy breaths, "Calm down, Dashie. You're just seeing things." She wasn't sure whether that made her feel better or worse.

She got back to her hooves and took a quick look around, making absolutely sure there was nothing to fear. She crept out from behind the beam and continued on her way towards her bunk. She passed by a dozen or so more sleeping sailors before reaching her destination. She sat down next to her hammock and opened up her hooflocker. Rainbow glanced at her hammock nervously and grimaced as she started putting her armor away, fumbling with the straps on her cuirass, hooves shaking fiercely.

What if Twilight found out how scared I was? What if Spitfire found out? They'd never let me join the Wonderbolts. They'd think I'm a coward. Rainbow put a hoof up to her forehead and brushed her mane back. Maybe I am. What will happen if we get into another fight? I almost got killed, I almost got Twilight killed. Maybe it would be better if they didn't let me join them.

Rainbow glanced at Lightning Dust, noticing the gentle rise and fall of her as she rested peacefully in her hammock, and suddenly she felt angry. She huffed, felt herself growing hot and she switched from trembling with fear to shaking with rage.

How is she not afraid? What is so different about us? Why do I deserve this? She slammed her hooflocker shut, rousing several others from sleep, and galloped out from the berth, storming up the companionway to the top deck, drawing some curious glances from the on-duty crew. She looked around for a moment before spotting a place where she could sit in relative solitude. She trotted over the port railing and nestled herself next to one of the guns then lay her chin on the railing, taking a few deep breaths to calm herself.

Rainbow leaned over the rail a bit, looking towards their pursuer. She couldn’t see it in the darkness, but she felt its presence like a heavy blanket laid over her. What am I going to do? she thought as she stared out into the blackness.