Once Upon a Time

CHAPTER 2

Oh, shit!

I looked around desperately finding a place to hide. Hiding under the bed was the most obvious thing someone in my place would do, so it was scratched. Looking out of the window on the other hand, it was the only place I could easily get out of this place and away from the rampaging father.

Picking up the Benevolence and holstering it, I turned to look at Hayde. “I’m out, you’re on your own here.” She gulped at that. I rushed to the window and jumped, hoping I would escape unnoticed.

What I didn’t know was Hayde’s hut was inconveniently placed on top of a tree.

“Shit!”

I managed to grab hold of a branch, stopping my fall. My arm was screaming at me, having only one arm to support my weight was taking its toll on me but the fear of falling only make me grip the branch tighter but I think it was worth it. No one is stupid enough to jump out of the window without having a set of wing so there is no chance that Dust Wing would look out of the window….right?

“WHERE IS HE?!” yelled a voice inside the hut, presumably Dust Wing. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I’m fucked.

Not waiting to find out what he would do to me once he spots me dangling on a branch, I began to think of a way to get down from here. But that soon ended once I heard a cracking sound.

I turned my attention to the branch I was holding on to see that it was slowly splitting apart. I frantically looked around for another branch, but all the other branches were out of reach. I was slowly beginning to think that this world hates me, and was fucking me twenty four-seven.

Before long, the branch gave up and sends me plummeting to the ground. I screamed for my life as fall towards the ground, barely managing to get my legs parallel to the ground to soften the fall. The last thing I saw was the grass being dangerously close to my face before hearing a loud thump. Then all I saw was darkness.

I didn’t know how long I was out, or if I was even alive for that matter. But soon enough I began to hear voices around me, there seemed to be a conversation happening next to me. The smell where I was at was the scent of piss, sweat, and shit. Yep, I’m alive and I guess I was lying in a dungeon of sorts.

With my eyes still closed and my nose scrunched, I strained my ears to listen to the conversation around me.

“I am telling you Winsor, the guards have been more active lately. Something must be up and I’m not talking about the escape, their numbers have doubled since last week. I heard something about doubling the gems or burning alive.” I heard one of them said.

“Relax Yuric, there must have been more slaves coming in. Like the lass over here. And the burning alive I think is the new punishment they’ll give if one of us escapes.” The other one replied I assumed was Winsor. This guy has a pirate accent...

“Do you think he’s dead? He’s been like that for a while now.”

“Nay, ah assure ye the lad be quite alive. But he needs to wake up before the dogs get here. Goddesses know what happens to useless slaves.”

“Why do you think he’s here in the first place? From the looks of it, I don’t think he’s a thief or he’s from around here. In fact, I have never seen his kind before at all.”

There was a slight rustling noise. I'm guessing he shrugged. “I overheard from the griffons that threw him here is that he mated with the tribal elder’s daughter.” He chuckled. “I don’t know if it’s true or not, but I like this lass already.”

I decided to make myself known after that. I was lying face down on the floor. Lifting my head up, I felt there is some kind of cloth wrapped around it.

Damn, that must have been quite a fall.

“Ahh, It seems that the lass has finally awaken.” I heard Winsor said.

I looked around to find that I’m in a cell of some sorts. The black walls, the foul smell and the Iron bars were a dead give away. In my right there were two humanoid rats, one was dressed like a pirate and was talking to me.

“Ahoy! Welcome to the waking world, matey. I hope yer good now. Ye got quite a beatin when ye got thrown here. The name’s Winsor.” Winsor greeted me with a pirate accent, he was wearing a tricorne further confirming me that he is infact a pirate. He was even dressed like Captain Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean.

“Uh yeah I’m okay, I think.” I responded, rubbing my bandaged temple “So, where am I?” I asked. The other rat that was not dressed like a pirate spoke up to me, I assumed he was Yuric.

“We are in the slave’s pen or den, I don’t really know what it’s called.” Yuric answered. “Everyrat who gets thrown here will either be sold as a slave or work in the mines until they are sold as a slave.” Welp, there goes my bright future.

“Aye, Yuric and I have been here for weeks working in the mines. I took the liberty to bandage yer head there. Ye were sporting quite a bruise there lad, I advice not moving around much.” He said with a hint of concern.

I looked at myself to find that I was stripped from my robe. It was good to know that they only stripped my robe. God knows what I’ll do if I wake up here butt naked. Cuffing my side I noticed that the Benevolence wasn’t in the sheath, same with my daggers but thankfully the medallion is still with me, safely hidden under my shirt.

I checked my body for any cuts and bruises, thankfully there was none besides the one from my head. I was wondering why Dust Wing took it easy on me and didn’t clawed my balls off for banging his daughter. Only throwing me here to become a slave. But the thoughts soon vanished when I felt a sharp pain emanating on my ass.

My eyes widened and I froze. “No…” I muttered.

Winsor raised an eyebrow looking at me confused. “What be the problem, lass?” he asked.

“Nothing!” I quickly replied. That bitch! He’ll pay for this! “And the name is Michorean, not lass.”

The pirate didn’t sound like he was convinced at my answer, but shrugged. “Aye, if ye need anything just ask me or good ol’ Yuric here.” He patted Yuric’s head, but got his hand swatted away by the annoyed rat. “We are all brothers in chains now. Yer pain is our pain. We help each other survive in this wretched place.” He gestured to the black walls of our cellblock.

I sighed and shifted my sitting position, trying to make myself more comfortable. “Why did you guys got thrown here on the first place?”

Winsor smiled at my question. “Yuric here is a thief. I for one is similar to him, but I steal on the high seas.”

I tilted my head. “So, you’re a pirate then.”

“Aye, but I haven’t been in the seas for a while now, since those pesky spirits started to appear in the ocean. We’ve been docked for months.”

So they started terrorizing the ocean months ago. I kept that in mind in case I need it. “Well, any of you guys have a plan to escape this place?” I asked.

Winsor shook his head. “Nay, this place is sealed shut, and the guards have been doubled since the last slave had tried to escape." He paused. "Poor lad didn’t even made out, he got captured and got beheaded.” He grimaced and shook his head. “Don’t do anything stupid Mike, we’ll only escape when opportunity comes.”

I nodded and heard a metal clanging and the sound of footsteps. I saw Yuric sighed. “I guess it’s time to dig.” He groaned and stood up. The rats were quite small, only stood four feet tall, barely reaching by chest.

“Aye,” Winsor responded, turning to look at me. “The dogs will take us to the mines to dig for gemstones and remember lad, try to look like yer working or you’ll comeback with whip marks all over yer back.”

A dog opened the cell and let us out. “Time to dig slaves, you go or I force you to go.” He said with a rusty voice, his paws on his whip, massaging it. His butchering of the English language reminded me of the goblins. It disgusts me.

We worked in the mine for hours with the other slaves, digging countless of gemstones, and getting countless of whips from the guard dogs. The guards will whip your ass at the slightest sound of grunt or complain they heard from you, so the mine was completely silent except for the sound of our pikes striking the stones and the whips of those bitches use. It’s funny cause they’re dogs too.

I giggled at my own pun, and ended up getting whipped hard on the back. “Ouch! Shit! The fuck is your problem bitch, I’m working here!” I glared at the dog.

“Quiet slave, keep working or I’ll whip you again, harder!” the guards said, waving his whip in emphasis.

“How the hell do you expect me to work, if you keep whipping me on the back, you dumb bitch!” I retorted and earned another painful whipping from the guard dog.

Suddenly, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I look to see Yuric pointing at the dog and shaking his head. I grunted and went back on digging, thankfully the dog didn’t whip me again when he heard me grunted. I would have flip a shit there.

The cart I had was nearing full of valuable gemstones, It amazed me that this world is rich with this kind of resources. If I could bring all we dug here back to Galea, I’ll be the richest man alive there, except for the royalty of course. Bunch of tyrant bastards.

Minutes later I had filled my cart and the dogs happily ended my shift. I waved Winsor and Yuric goodbye who were still busy digging. They waved backed to me as the dog guard led me to back my cell. Before he left, he gave me something to eat, it was their own version of what they called ‘lunch’…

“The fuck is this shit?” I asked the guard dog, looking at my ‘meal’ in disgust. It consists of hay, some rotting flowers, and some kind of yellowish goo. If it didn’t smell like a banana, I would have thought they were serving me their own piss.

“That’s the only food we have, slave. You don’t eat, you starve, I don’t care.” He answered.

I groaned and poke the disgusting yellow goo. The more I poke it, the more it seemed like a mashed banana. I wondered why the hell would they mash a banana in the first place, but who cares I aint gonna eat it.

Sometime later I heard someone shouting not far from my cell. From the sound of it, the voice was from a young female.

“You meanies! Let me go!” the voice cried.

“Shut up pony, you slave now. Now get to the cell.” The guard opened the door. I saw a pegasus pony being dragged and got thrown in.

The pony tried to escape, but the door closed before she got near it and banged the door. “That’s it! I won’t throw you any parties, you meanies!” she shouted at the door. Then the pony buried her face in her hooves and began to cry, while just sat there watching.

Minutes later she stopped crying and I heard her stomach grumbled. Looking at my tray. it was untouched. I knew better than to eat hays and flowers. I wasn’t even hungry anyway. I gently pushed the tray towards the weeping pony.

She lifted her head and looked at me with her bloodshot eyes. The pegasus had a white coat, light yellow mane, violet eyes and on her flank I saw a mark of five violet balloons. I assumed it was some kind of a tattoo or something.

She looked at the tray then back to me. I nodded. Seeing her smile lightly, she began to dig in. Mere seconds later, all of the contents of the tray are eaten, not a single bit of ‘food’ remained.

The blonde maned pony then looked at me. Any indication of tears and sadness were all gone. Instead it was replaced by glee, and a cheerful smile. She rushed forward to me and tackled me into a hug.

“Oh thank you, thank you. I haven’t eaten anything for days. When I was out flying on the mountain, those nasty diamond dogs popped out and captured me. They said I was gonna be a slave for the rest of my life.” She griped, still giving me a hug.

“Uh yeah, no problem. Now, can you get off me?” I didn’t wait for her to pull herself out of me, instead I was the one who pulled her out of grasp. I wasn’t comfortable on being hugged by someone I don’t know. There’s a chance I might get stab in the back. As cute as this pony is, I will never know.

“Oh, I haven’t told you my name yet. I am Surprise from the Pegasus tribe. What’s yours?” she asked as she hopped around me.

“Uh, Michorean.” I answered, still confused at the pegasus’ bouncy behaviour. “Wait, you said you’re from the Pegasus tribe right?” she nodded. “Then how did you managed to cross the ocean?”

“I was born there, but I grew up traveling around the world as a party pony. I crossed the ocean when I was but a little filly.”

“How?” I gestured for her to continue.

“With a boat duh, you silly filly.” She giggled.

I rolled my eyes. The windigos probably haven’t been terrorizing the sea back then. At that, my thoughts went the Benevolence. That spear was missing by the time I woke up in here; I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself if anything bad happens to it.

My thoughts were soon interrupted by the sound of our cell door opening. Winsor and Yuric entered panting, covered in sweat, both looking physically exhausted.

“Look whose our new ‘sister in arms’.” I pointed at Surprise, who in turn enthusiastically waved at the tired rats.

Winsor lied down, not bothering to look at us. “As much as I like to greet yer new friend there. Yuric and I need rest from those scallywags, they made us work double time.” Winsor weakly responded.

“Ehh, it’s not that bad.” I waved a hand over.

He turned to look at me sternly. “That’s because yer the new one here lass.Those dogs took it easy on yer.” He hissed.

“Well good for me.” I rolled my eyes. “And by the way this is Surprise, our new umm, cellmate per se.”

“Aye, pleasure to meet yer Miss Surprise.” Winsor said tipping his tricorne.

Surprise beamed at the sight of his hat. “Are you a pirate? That’s so awesome! Do you have a pirate ship? How did you get here, I thought pirates were at the sea?”

Winsor gave a hearty laugh. “Aye Miss Surprise, I am a pirate, and the reason I’m not out sailing because they are evil spirits lurking in the sea. We were forced to dock and ye see Miss Surprise, pirates are wanted rats in these parts, bounty hunters took adventage of this and captured me.”

“Why were you wanted? What’s wrong about being a pirate?” Surprise asked innocently.

“There’s more on being a pirate than saying arrghh and being in a pirate ship looking for gold and lost treasures.” Yuric answered. “They also attack or hijack merchant vessels and steal their cargo. Pirates also raids villages, taking what they could before burning then down.”

Surprise looked at Winsor in shock. “Aye, I’m afraid what Yuric here said was true. We pirates have a horrible way of life. But I don’t for one second regret what I have done because I have fed me family at that cost.”

I dismissed their conversation and laid down to get some sleep. Winsor sounds like an interesting guy, Surprise was quite a bouncy pony with boundless of energy, and Yuric was your typical, mysterious thief, kinda like me. They were actually enjoyable to listen conversing, but I just don’t seem to care at this moment. The only thing I care about now is finding a way to escape this place. Closing my eyes I slowly let myself drift to sleep.

Barely two hours had passed since I slept, I was woken up from my dreamless slumber by the sounds of cries and cheer occurring just outside our cell. I tried to stand up, but I found myself unable to. I felt something small, soft and furry clasping on my torso.

Looking at the intrusion, I saw Surprise clutching on me fast asleep. Her gentle snores and occasional murmurs showed that she is oblivious of what was happening. On the corner of my vision, I saw Yuric stirred in his sleep.

“What’s happening outside?” he wearily asked, rubbing his tired eyes.

Standing up while Surprise was still clinging on me, I looked through the small window on our cell door. There I saw was a bunch of slaves running around the dungeon, some even carrying weapons belonged from the guards. “I don’t know, but from the looks of it, there’s an escape going on and our guard seems to be missing. in fact, I don’t see any of the guards. Come on, we need to get out of here, this might be our only chance of escape.” I turned to look at him. “Go wake Winsor up, while I try to open this door.” He nodded and went to slap the pirate’s face repeatedly causing him to jolt awake.

“Aarrghh! What be the commotion about, disrupting me shut eye?” asked the visibly cranky pirate.

I left Yuric to explain the situation to Winsor while I find a way to open the metal door. It was quite hard since there was a four foot sleeping pegasus clinging on me. “Hey, wake up.” I patted her back, only hearing her mumble something incoherently before going back to sleep. I grunted and frustration and grasp her wing.

Her eyes immediately popped open, she gasped and pushed herself away from me. “Whaaaaa…h-huh?” she looked around in confusion before her eyes fixed on me.

“Good you’re awake.”

“What was that for?!” she hissed, her face flushed bright pink. Huh, those wings of her must be sensitive.

“You were making me like your own teddy bear, I had to do something. Besides I need to open the door and I can’t do that if you’re clinging on me.” I answered. Her blush deepened and she looked away trying to hide it.

Examining the door, I noticed that the screw on the hinges were loose, most of it was rusty and a bit worn out. “A good hit might bring this door down, but how?” I muttered.

“Oh! I know! Pick me, pick me!” Surprise said, jumping and waving her hooves around.

“Yes?”

“Maybe if all four of us tackle it together, maybe it might just be enough to break the door. Right?” she explained, not sounding sure.

I rubbed my chin thinking about it for a moment. “Hmm, it might just work, great idea Surprise.”

She mocked saluted. “No problem Michoroonie.”

I ignored the sudden nickname and turned to look at the rats. “You got that?” they nodded. We positioned ourselves so that we could bash the door together.

To my surprise the door actually broke down with little to no resistance at all. Glancing around left and right, the whole place was completely devoid of guards. Their weapons that had not been stolen by the slaves were left scattered. They must have been in a hurry to get out of here.

Looking at the other cellsblocks, some of the slaves had managed to escape theirs and was trying to help others open theirs cells.

Glancing around the halls, I said. “Let’s head to the armory, if something managed to scare away the entire guards here, I doubt I’ll go outside unarmed.”

Winsor nodded. “Aye, we be like a landlubber in the middle of the ocean if those doggies returned. I know this place front and back, I’ll be leading the way mateys.” Winsor spoke as he moved forward.

We walk towards the armory, it wasn’t far from our cell. It only took us five minutes to get there. It might have been sooner if it wasn’t crowded by escaping slaves on the way there, but I guess traffic is universal.

Inside the armory, there were different types of swords, armor, shields and whips scattered around the place. It was like it got hit by a hurricane, a hurricane of looting slaves on that matter. Thankfully they didn’t steal much, not that I care by the way.

On the racks of weapons, there was a group of slaves arming themselves, a minotaur, two griffons and a rat. Winsor approached the minotaur like he knows him. “Phalanx, do yer know what happened to the guards? It seems that those scallywags fled for no reason.” He asked the burly minotaur.

He shook his head. “I’m afraid not Winsor, even my other cellmates are confused by this. They asked us to place all the gemstones we dug in a large pile just by the entrance. I got a bad feeling about this old friend, we must get out of this wretched place fast.” He picked a large axe from the rack and started swinging, testing it out.

We Immediately approach the racks and armed ourselves. Winsor pulled out a cutlass, Yuric grabbed a set of knives and daggers while I only chose a short sword. I would’ve gotten a spear, but with my left hand paralyzed that would seemed to be a bad idea. The Benevolence had a light feeling when I grip it, so there I hadn't had any problem for that.

Looking at my blonde maned friend, I saw that she was trying to grab a Morningstar with her teeth. I shook my head and move towards her. “You know you can’t use that right? You have nothing to grip that.”  I said as I grabbed the club from her.

She pouted. “But look at it. It’s big and it has those spikes covering it. I can hit somepony and WHAM!” she swung her hooves for emphasis.

“The problem is you don’t have anything to grab it and can you even fight?” To be honest I didn’t care even if she used the Morningstar, she probably can’t even lift it off the ground, but I got a nagging feeling that once she tries to swing it with her teeth, bad things might happen, especially to anyone near her, and that’s us.

She shook her head, still sporting that smile on her face.

I sighed and grabbed a helmet and placed it on her head. “There you got something, happy? It’s a bit large but it will do.”

“But, I want the spiky thing! This is unfair.” She whined.

“C’est la vie.” I turned around and began looking for an armor. I grinned as I heard her snort in frustration.

In the corner of the armory, I saw a familiar black robe hanging between the sets of leather armor. Moving towards it I saw that it was my assassin’s robe. It got me thinking, if this was here then the Benevolence might be here as well.

Putting it on, I began to rummage the armory in search of the Valkyrian spear. Racks after racks, I searched every single corner of the place and still there wasn’t any sign of it. Looking around, I noticed that I was the only one on the armory. They probably had gone ahead, while I was raptured at my search.

Glancing around one last time, I exited the place. I saw the group right outside, one of the griffons is missing. As soon as they saw me, we head right to what we believe to be the exit. I asked what happened to the griffon, Phalanx told me that he sent him to scout in search for exits.

Minutes later we saw the griffon flying towards us with an ecstatic smile on his face. He stopped right infront of the minotaur. “Phalanx, we need to hurry. The pile of gemstones the dogs left is being looted by the other slaves, there are no sign of the guards it’s like they just abandoned their posts. If we hurry, we might just get there in time to grab some.”

The minotaur grinned. “Lead the way Steelbeak.” He motioned and turned to look at us. “Looks like our suffering has come to an end, my friends. Long have we suffered months, digging valuable rocks for the dogs, but know it’s time for us to take reward ourselves.” He said with glee, beating his chest.

That got me thinking, from what I have seen the dogs are obsessed with those gems, going as far as to kidnap slaves and forcing them to work on the mines to dig. So, why would they just dump it out in the open?

We followed the griffon, through the sets of corridors and before long, we found ourselves just by the entrance of the dungeon. The ceiling was high and was supported by hulking pillars. I noticed that there are some cracks in them and was covered in dust. For some reason this place was too majestic for those dumb dogs to build. And I'm not being racist.

Right ahead of us, the pile of gemstones we had dug was being looted by slaves, grabbing whatever they can, and some even using an armor to scoop up the gems. Soon enough I saw Phalanx and his cellmates joined in the looting.

I got a nagging feeling watching the scene ahead of me, something tells me that the dogs didn’t left a huge pile of gemstones out in the open and left for us to loot it. Looking around the entrance again, being more observant, I saw that there are faint scratch and scorch marks etched on the walls and pillars, even the ceiling was in similar state.

I saw Winsor on my side began move towards the pile but I raised an arm to stop him. “What be the problem lass?” he asked me sounding confused. “We need to get some of those booties before they are all gone.” He tried to move forward, but I stopped him again.

“I have a feeling that we shouldn’t be in here.” He raised an eyebrow. “The dogs must not have fled and left a huge pile of gemstones here at the entrance without purpose. That just doesn’t make sense.”

He looked at the pile, then back to me. “So, what are ye implying then? That this is a trap for the slaves that come here to steal their gems?”

I rubbed my chin, looking at the pile. “Something like that or that pile of gemstone are for someone or something else. I suggest that we get out of here before something happens.”

The pirate gave out a laugh. “Yer bein too paranoid lass, but okay I’ll play yer game. I don’t need that much bits anyway.”

I looked at Yuric and Surprise to see that they’re just behind us. They didn’t seem to care for the precious rocks. Surprise was playing with her helmet, shaking her head back and forth while Yuric was just standing there looking around intensively.

I led us past the pile and towards the exit. While I was walking I heard a sound of something flapping, it sounded like a wing. I looked around for the source of the noise. It was too slow for a griffon, and there weren’t anyone near us. Whatever that’s out there, it must be something big.

I saw a pillar on the side and motioned for us to hide there. No one protested after they saw the serious look on my face. After minutes of hiding there, the sound of flapping gradually increased in volume.

Hiding beside the pillar, silently watching the slaves go apeshit on the gems and trying to figure what the sound of flapping was, Surprise was the one who broke the silence.

“What are we waiting for? Are we playing hide and go seek? What is that flapping?” she asked popping to my field of vision.

I place a hand to cover her mouth. “Shushh, be quiet for a moment Surprise. There’s something big out there coming here. I can’t seem to make it up.” Glancing at Winsor. “Any clues on what it is? “

He shook his head. “Nay, I’m drawing blank ‘ere.”

I turned to Yuric, “How about you?” I asked. He was staring blankly at the pile like he was in some sort of a trance.

“So that what they were talking about.” He mumbled.

“Umm, Who?” I asked, not sure what he had just said.

“While I was digging in the mines yesterday, I heard the guards talk about some large creature destroying this place if there weren’t any gems placed here. I kept it to myself because I wasn’t sure of what I heard or that was just rumor.” He explained.

Suddenly there was a loud ear screeching roar followed by something large landing just outside of here. Surprise jumped and clutched on my leg like a cat. She buried her face on my leg, shaking heavily with a terrified expression etched on her.

A large dragon entered destroying the large door in the process and approached the large pile of gem that was being looted. From the looks of it, he seems pissed because as soon he saw them he growled, smoke coming out of his snout as he snarled at the shocked slaves. He opened his mouth let out a large breath of fire, burning alive everyone on and near the gems. Their cries of pain and anguish were the only thing I heard from them before becoming silent a few seconds later.

We watched in silence as the dragon pushed the bodies of the slaves out of the pile with a flick of his arms. I didn’t feel sorry for them, they should’ve escape when they had a chance, instead they chose wallow in their greed.

I slowly stood up, making sure I was still hidden from the rampaging dragon. I need to find a way for us to escape without being seen. It didn’t help when I saw the dragon’s eyes darting back and forth, probably looking for anything that tries to come near him and the gems.

Sometime later it began eating the gems, devouring large chunks of jewels on one bite. It appeared to be distracted so escaping here unnoticed won’t be a problem, but while I was watching the dragon eat, there was one thing in the pile that caught my attention. There was something black sticking out of it, and it kinda looked familiar. I squinted my eyes to see it better, focusing on the object and there I saw the familiar spear I was having trouble searching.

There was a sudden relief washed over my body when I saw the Benevolence was fine and unharmed, but a tinge of fear on me, that it might get eaten by the dragon along with the gems if I didn’t remove it in time.

I removed trembling pegasus off my leg and gently set her down. “You guys go ahead, I’ll distract the dragon.” I said to them.

Winsor suddenly looked visibly shocked. “What yer talkin about distracting the dragon lass? That thing burned them to crisp within seconds and yer talking about distractin it? Do you even know what that thing is?”  he whispered a bit loudly.

“It’s big, It breathes fire and I’m gonna probably kill it if it eats my spear. I have something important to me in the pile of gems, and I’m not gonna let the dragon eat it.” I answered coldly. “If you don’t want to go that’s fine with me, but if you want change your mind I suggest changing it now.”

Winsor and Surprise seemed hesitant to leave while I saw Yuric nodded and turned to leave. The more I think about it, the more I assumed that he didn’t give two shits about me. I like it. I know I can take care of myself, I’ve fought worse creatures before and I doubt that I’ll even do something stupid enough to get me killed…probably.

Winsor shrugged. “Well its yer funeral, good luck lass and I suggest you not to get burned alive, it’s not a good way to die.”

“Well then, thank you for the support Winsor, I’ll have that in mind” I responded sarcastically. “Now wait for me to distract the dragon, and remember don’t get seen. If the dragon comes at you then I hope you’re strong enough to fight it cause I’m not gonna chase it off you, I aint your babysitter you know. Any questions?”

“You’ll catch on to us, right?” Surprise asked with a concerned look on her face. I could tell she wouldn’t let me leave if I said ‘no’. I got confused at this, we just met yesterday and now she’s concerned for me. It’s probably her nature or something.

I nodded which brought a smile to her face. I brought myself low to the ground and sneakily move towards the pile, trying not to avoid as much noise as possible. As I got near I saw the Benevolence sticking out on the side near me but not within arms reach.

I crept low to the ground, moving around the burnt bodies of the slaves. Suddenly in my corner of my vision, I saw something moving behind the pillars. Phalanx and the remaining slaves were raising their weapons, preparing to attack the dragon.

I drastically waved at them, signalling them to stop. I haven’t got the Benevolence, and getting it with a rampaging dragon will make it harder to reach.

They seemed to ignore me and went to reveal themselves and charge at the hulking monster. “Charge!” Phalanx roared, bringing his axe high up in the air. “Let us slay this beast that steal our wealth, our very reward from our suffering in the mines! The beast that burned our fellow friends alive!” he brought out his axe and charged at the dragon with full speed, the other slaves following behind him.

“Goddammit!” I stood up and bolted towards the spear.

Phalanx swung his axe hard at the dragon, but he only managed to scratch its hard scales. The dragon let out a loud roar and flapped his wings, sending a gush of wind throwing everyone out of their place.

I managed to grab hold of the Benevolence before the gush of wind knocked me out of my feet. Looking at the dragon, it appears to be fighting Phalanx. It seemed that it only annoys the dragon further from every hit the minotaur launched at him.

The group of  greedy slaves were failing miserably, some even tried to escape but got caught by the dragons tail. “Fools, you think that you can hurt me with your pathetic weapons?” he roared.

The minotaur grinned. “If you thought that I’ll waste my time just to fight you, then you must be mistaken, beast.” He countered.

While the Phalanx was fighting the dragon, I noticed that his rat and griffon friends were busy snatching away the gems. I didn’t know if they’re thinking that they’ll be able to steal from the dragon and get away with it because as soon as the dragon noticed it narrowed his eyes and let out a low growl signalling that he had enough.

He suddenly launched his head towards Phalanx. The minotaur’s eyes widened, he barely even managed to move an inch before the dragon bit him down with force , devouring the minotaur from waist up. I even heard the sound of bones breaking on my position.

The minotaur howled in pain and trashed on the dragons mouth, trying to free himself from the prison, but the dragon wasn’t done yet. With the minotaur still on his jaws, I watched as he inhaled and let out a breath of fire. His friend watched in shock as Phalanx was slowly roasted alive in the jaws of the dragon before they fled with the gems still with them.

The dragon suddenly chomp down on the minoaur, severing the body in half before launching his body in the air to chase the fleeing slaves. I grimaced as half of the body fall towards the ground.

Not wanting to be caught on the crossfire I ran to the side and pressed my body against the wall. Looking at the enraged dragon, he was currently chasing a griffon with a small load of gems in its talon in the ceiling, shooting balls of fire to the fleeing bird.

I should probably thank them for distracting the dragon for me. Their greed got the best of them, I managed to recover the Benevolence with their help. Confronting the dragon with only one hand functioning was a death sentence for me so I was grateful.

Creeping low on the side of the walls and the pillars I finally reached the exit. The huge double doors were destroyed by the dragon upon his entry so opening won’t be necessary.

No shit, Sherlock.

Outside I notice that it was night time, from the position of the moon I calculated that it was midnight or sometime close to that. It was dark but having slitted eyes made me able to see in the dark better but not as good as the other predators like the cats.

Just ahead of me was a forest, I quickly ran towards the it hoping I could hide myself from the dragon on the cluster of trees. I was hoping that those griffons would last longer so could distance myself from the dragon.

Looking back at the building, I found out that it was actually an old abandoned temple on the base of the mountain. The dogs only converting it into a slave’s den. There are faint lights and pillars of smoke coming off from the entrance. The dragon must have been roasting the remaining slaves by now.

Focusing on the path ahead, I began to move deeper in the forest hoping that I could find Winsor and the others. It had been only fifteen minutes since I last saw the so I was not concerned that they had gone far ahead.

After minutes of trekking in the forest, it suddenly became silent like the forest suddenly muted itself. I looked around for any signs of predators. From what I have encountered predators don’t hunt outside of their usual preys unless they’re desperate enough to hunt something they don’t know or they crossed its territory.

I surveyed my surrounding finding nothing but trees, vines, and bushes. It seemed like there are no animals resided in this area so the idea that I crossed its territory was scratched.

Immediately I heard a faint sound of something flapping similar from before. I recognize that sound at an instant, it was the dragon. Hearing a loud thump behind, I instantly withdrew the Benevolence and pointed it at the large creature.

“The fuck do you want? I didn’t steal any of your precious gems.” I asked, glaring at the dragon. The heap of gems were safely wrapped around his tail.

His eyes were locked on the Benevolence. “Oh, but you did steal something from me.” He said, bits of blood and feathers sticking out of his teeth guessing it’s from the griffons. The dragon licked his teeth and relaxed a bit. ”Tell you what, I’m a bit full and tired from killing those slaves, so how about you hand me over the spear and I’ll let you live, deal?” he suggested, from the sound of it he looked like he meant it but there’s no way in hell I’m gonna hand him over the Benevolence.

With clusters of trees me and webs of vines surrounding me, I could easily take advantage of my small frame and the dragons size in escaping him. It even help that he told me that he was a bit tired from the massacre, which is big mistake for him.

I began to weigh my options. The only thing I have to think now is how to distract the dragon. Prolonging the conversation might help. “Before I give this to you, I have a question that’s been bugging me lately.” I stated.

He raised an eyebrow. “So be it. What is your question?”

“Why is it that there are a pile of gems waiting for you in the entrance of the temple?”

The dragon chuckled which sound more of a grumble. “The dogs and I had an agreement that I will not destroy or kill them and their precious slave den if they give me the right amount of gems I want. Which reminds me, have you seen them? The gems they gave me were a little less on what they usually gave me.”

“They already fled before you got there.”

He snorted. “I should have known those cowards won’t complete their end of the deal someday.” He turned to look at me and stretched his claws towards me. “Now, let me have it.”

I grinned. “Here you go.” Extending the Benevolence to its full length, I thrust it forward and pierced his hand, the blade went through it completely. I smirked at this, If that didn’t happen I might as well be dead by now.

The dragon roared in pain and recoiled his hand. Seeing this as an opportunity to escape, I dashed towards the trees, quickly ducking on the vines being careful not to get entangled.

I didn’t run in a straight line instead I zigzagged my way through the mass undergrove hoping to lose the dragon. Thankfully, with all the trees covering me the dragon might not able to see me if he was to fly.

Suddenly there was a deafening roar. I looked back and saw the dragon was clawing his way towards me, destroying the trees on his path. I could tell that the trees were slowing him down, but it was not enough.

“You welp! You will pay for this and I’ll make sure I burn you alive nice and slow.” He growled, smoke emanating from his mouth as he said it. I could see there was a hole in his hand and was bleeding heavily.

Ignoring his threat, I looked ahead found a mass of tangled vines. I grinned and ran towards it. I gracefully maneuver myself through the vines with ease, only burning a few seconds on the mass of tangles before sprinting again to the trees.

I quickly glanced back and saw the dragon somehow got stuck on the mass of tangled vines. He roared in frustration as he tried to cut it with his claws, and even trying to burn it down.

With the dragon busy freeing himself from the vines, I began to look around for a place to hide. I found a large tree with branches and leaves that could easily keep me hidden.

I climbed it and hid myself innermost part of the tree, well cloaked behind the bundles of leaves and began to slow my breathing. With the help of the night shrouding me in darkness, I could tell I was pretty hard to spot. It even helps that the robe I currently wearing was black in color.

To make it sure I wouldn’t be seen, I quickly gathered some leaves and covered me with it, making me impossible to be seen even with the help of the dragon’s slitted eyes.

Minutes later I began started loud footsteps. Barely seeing through the thick leaves, I saw the dragon was desperately looking for me. I was certain that if I stayed here for a while longer, maybe he’ll just fly off. Besides he even got the gems he wanted and he had a gaping hole in his hand.

Finding my position uncomfortable, I shifted and immediately regretted my decision when I heard the leaves that covered me rustled a bit.

The dragons head instantly snapped towards the tree I was hiding and started approach it. Peeking inside the tree, I held my breath and didn’t dare to move a single muscle. It seemed that he was looking a bit longer than usual but I was sure from what I had done there’s no way he can see me, even with the help of his great vision without leaning towards me.

Before long, his head moved to the other side of the tree, hoping to find me. Seeing this as an opportunity to bail myself out of this situation, I slowly grabbed a twig, being careful not to have my movements noticed and I flicked it far off the tree.

The sound of the twig hitting the ground was enough for the dragon to move his head out of the tree I was in and go to the source of the sound, surveying the area in an attempt to find me.

This time however, I can see he was getting more frustrated. He practically burned down a tree when he found out I wasn’t there.

Suddenly there was a loud crack of thunder, followed by a rain. With the dragon getting poured in the rain, he appeared to have given up on the search for me and flew up in the sky with his gems in his tail in tow.

With the leaves of the trees preventing from getting soaked, I relaxed and waited for the rain to die down. I began to think of a way to cross the ocean without getting killed by windigos, but my first problem is ‘how am I gonna get a ship to cross it?’

I was thinking of Winsor that he may have a ship because he’s a pirate, but not all pirates have ships. I’m being stereotypical… Meh. I’ll just ask him when I see them.

Once the rain died down, I drop down the tree and went to find Winsor and the others. With the dragon and the rain distracted me I thought that they would have gone far off. But it wasn’t the case here because it was just barely half an hour after I started to trek, I saw a faint light coming from a clearing.

Thinking that it was probably them I move towards it but with caution because if there was a chance that it wasn’t them, then going to be some trouble. I was some kind of weird animal to them and showing up at night on their camp is a bad idea. They’ll probably think that I’m some kind of predator.

Creeping low towards the nearest bush, I peek at the campsite and see two familiar rats and a white pegasus. It appeared that Winsor and Surprise were sleeping at different sides of the camp, under the trees, while Yuric was up sitting on a log and watching the bonfire.

Relieved that it was infact them, I got out of the bush and walked towards the camp. My boots creating a crunching sound as I stepped on the moist.

Without even looking, Yuric suddenly threw a dagger towards me from out of his pocket.

My reflexes suddenly kicked in, I jumped to my left and dodge the incoming projectile, hitting the tree beside me where I stood just half a second ago.

Looking up his went wide as he noticed that it was me. “Whoa, sorry Mike I didn’t think it was you.”

“It’s okay I didn’t die or anything, forget about it.” He flinched as he saw me grabbed his dagger from the tree. “Catch.” I threw him the dagger and he caught the handle and put it back in his pocket. I was certain that it’s not a good idea to put a knife on your pocket but ehh, not my problem.

I walked towards to where he was sitting and sat beside him. We just sat there in silence, I watched the fire dance around the sticks and branches, the sounds of cracks emanating every few seconds.

Silence filled the campsite until Yuric spoke up. “You know, the pegasus pony couldn’t stop worrying about you.” He began.

“You mean Surprise?” I pointed out.

“Uh yeah, she couldn’t stop worrying that you might had gotten ate by the dragon.”

“Well good thing I have someone concerned for me, I guess.” I shrugged. “I don’t even understand why she’s concerned over me, heck we just met yesterday.”

“I think it’s because she’s a pony, and her cutiemark is balloons.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Uhh, cutiemark?”

“It’s the ponies special talents of sorts or something, I really don’t know I didn’t care enough to ask.”

“Hmm, what is it have to do with balloons?” he shrugged and let out a yawn.

“Why don’t you get some shut eye, I’ll cover you on your shift.” I suggested.

He chuckled. “Yeah thanks, I’m a bit worn out over what has happened over the past few weeks.” Bitch please, you’re not the one that got chased by a dragon.

I saw him left and I turned to look at the bonfire. Seeing the orange and yellow light waving around and flickering, it calmed me when I look at it. It’s like watching the static on the T.V. Damn I need to get a life.

The sun was beginning to rise, I was still sitting on the log and the fire has long been, only ashes and charcoals remaining. I already removed the bandage that covered my forehead since it will only distract me and the bruise on my head was all gone just a slight bump remaining. One of these days, Dust Wing is gonna pay.

I heard a loud gasp, then suddenly I was hugged by something soft and covered in white. I looked at surprise to see she was grinning ear to ear.

“You’ve catch on us, just like you promised!” he hugged me tighter.

“I didn’t made a promise.” I set her down. Damn, this pony is annoying.

“Well you’ve still catch on us and you helped us escape the mean dragon, you know what this means?” I kinda noticed that it was a rhetorical question, but fuck it.

“It means that I can now go and fix this damn hand.” I said wiggling it.

She shook her head before drawing in huge amount of air. “A PARTY!” she cheered.

Surprise hopped around the campsite madly before she stop and froze. “Oh, wait… I don’t have my party wagon with me. Those mean old diamond dogs took it.” Her ears drooped.

I rolled my eyes and walked towards her. I kneeled and petted her curly mane. “Hey, it’s alright maybe we’ll find those diamond dogs that took you wagon along the way.” I said softly.

“Really.” She asked, looking at me with a small smile on her face.

I shrugged. “Meh, I don’t know, I wouldn’t count on it.”

“Well, just in case we find my party wagon I’ll throw you the biggest, bestest party ever!” Well, I hope that we never find it.

“Yea you go do that.” I stood up and washed my face in the nearest puddle, washing off the dirt and grime that I got working on the mines.

“Ahh good to see ya laddie, nice to see ya didn’t get torched by the dragon.” I heard a voice with a pirate accent.

I looked up to see Winsor standing beside me with a smile on his face. “Oh really, what makes you say that?” I replied sarcastically.

He chuckled. “Just kidding lass and I assume that you beat that dragon good.”

“Not really, I just sort of ran away like a bitch when the dragon chased me.” I said getting a laugh from the pirate.  “Which reminds me, your pal Phalanx just got bit in half and burned alive by the dragon, same with his buddies.”

Winsor sighed. “That minotaur was always the greedy one. I have always known that his greed will be the end of him someday, but I didn’t expect that it was gonna be from a dragon.” He shook his head. “But enough of that, have ye seen Yuric? I haven’t seen him when I woke up. I’ve tasked him to watch the camp for us while we’re sleepin."

I shrugged. “I dunno, I offered to watch the camp last night and he took it. That was the last I saw him, I assumed he was going to sleep. Don’t worry about him. Besides he can take care of himself, he’s a big boy.”

“And a big boy I am.” I heard Yuric said behind me. Turning around I saw that he was carrying some berries and a couple of fruits I didn’t recognize. “Thanks covering for me Mike, I had time to find these fruits and berries.”

“Good job, lass.” Winsor smiled.

“Thanks. I would have hunted for some meat but I wasn’t able find anything besides this.” he gestured his gatherings.

I saw Surprise flinched a bit when he heard the word ‘meat’

I glared at Yuric. “Nice job scaring the herbivore dumbass. Maybe next time you’ll think twice before saying it.” It was kind of ironic that I was the one who said it but I wouldn’t let go of this opportunity.

“Heh, sorry.” He smiled sheepishly

We all gathered around as Yuric set the food down. I realized that it wasn’t enough for the four of us so I didn’t bother to eat anything and the paranoid part of me was saying that the fruits I didn’t recognize were poisonous.

“Why aren’t you eating Michoroonie? You don’t like blackberries?” Surprise asked me, still munching on an apple. She then picked up some berries for me. “Here, how about some wild strawberries?” I shook my head. “Apple?” I shook my head again.

“No thanks, I’m perfectly fine, Surprise, I’m not even hungry.”

“I wouldn’t be sure about that lass, I haven’t seen you eat since you got thrown in the den.” Winsor pointed out.

“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not normal.”

Winsor chuckled. “Aye, Yer kinda like a hornless minotaur, lass.”

“I’ll admit I kinda liked being called one of the feared warrior race in this planet but after I saw your friend Phalanx, ehh. It’s like being called a greedy bastard now. But yes I’m not normal, I barely need to eat to survive.”

“Why is that?” Surprise asked, devouring an apple with one bite.

“Because that how I was created.”

Surprise and Winsor gasp at my statement, while Yuric continued eating nonchalantly.

“What ye mean that how yer created? Ye mean ye weren’t born?”

“Yes. I’m a clone of an extinct species called ‘humans’. That means I’m an exact copy of my creator. The reason that I don’t need much food and sleep to survive because he put some bits and shits on me.” I answered casually.

Winsor laughed, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Yer getting more interesting Mike. First ye fought a dragon and then you tell us that yer a clone thingy.” He chuckled. “Any more surprises that ye have in store for us? Next thing we’ll now is that yer thousands of years old.”

I just stared at him blankly. He noticed this and stopped laughing. “Really?”

“Actually I’m two hundred fifty-seven years old.”

They stared at me wide eyed before Winsor let out a laugh again. “We’ll I’ll be, yer immortal. It’s like ye have the fountain of youth in yer, I’d give anything to live forever.”

“I wouldn’t count on that. Being Immortal is both a blessing and a curse. While it’s good to live forever, you might slowly lose your insanity along the way. You’ll see everyone you know die of old age while you’ll just continue on living. I might look like I’m normal but inside there is only one thing that keeps me from snapping and turning completely insane and before you ask, I wouldn’t talk about it, end of discussion.” I said to the sternly.

He eyed me for a second before shrugging. “Hmm, yer right about that Mike, I’ll gladly die with me family than see them become old and pass away.” I smiled at this. “But if I find the fountain of youth, then I’ll make sure that they get some of it so we’ll live forever as a family.” That wasn’t the point I was trying to tell him but who cares it’s his life anyways.

I noticed that they were done eating so I stood up. “We’ll it looks like you mortals are done. Now come on, we’re burning daylight. I’d like to leave this forest as soon as possible.”

“Aye, I think we should move east. This part of the forest looks familiar to me. My missus is probably wondering where I am.”

I shrugged. “Then east it is.”

We trekked on the forest for hours, my robe got constantly stuck on the low branches so I decided to remove it and tied them on my waist. Surprise and the rats didn’t have much problem moving on the jungle since they are like four feet tall while I constantly need to duck every time there’s a low branch or a mass of vines in my way.

Easily enough, for them, we finally made it out of the forest. Ahead of us was the path that leads to a fork. “Ahh I know this place, that fork leads to me home.” He stretched his arms. “I think I’m done traveling the seas for now and hunting buried treasures. I’ll spend more time with my kids and missus.” He turned to look at me. “Why don’t you give us a visit, I’m sure my wife would be jolly when he learned that you helped me escape the slave’s den and from the dragon.”

I shook my head. “No thanks. I think being sold as a slave already delayed me enough time. Maybe I’ll visit some other time when I finally fixed my hand.”

He sighed. “Aye, I understand. Being a slave and encountering a dragon took its toll on us. But if ye need anything lass, just come by my house. It’s just straight ahead on this path right here. Remember we’re pals for life,” he gazed at the white peguaus. “same for ye Miss Surprise.” She smiled and happily nodded.

I noticed that Yuric wasn’t on our side anymore. I looked ahead to see the rat already walking forward. I knew that something was up on him the moment I noticed that he was being in a hurry when we trekked in the forest.

I looked at Winsor. “What’s got him in a hurry?”

Winsor grinned. “He’s always the mysterious one. Life of a thief, I guess.” He snickered before he froze. “Wait.” He hastily reached towards his pocket and his eyed widened, mouth agape. “That no good scurvy-infested thief, he stole my ring!” he bawled.

I grinned. Yuric must have heard Winsor because I looked ahead to see him running. So that’s why he was awfully close to him when they were eating breakfast. I thought that he was gay or something.

Winsor sighed and looked down crestfallen. “Arghh, my reunion with me missus might be not be so good after all.”

“Meh, just explain to her what happened and maybe she’ll take it easy on you.” I reassured him.

He waved a hand dismissively. “Nay, me missus isn’t the one for words. I doubt that she’ll take it easy on me.” He chuckled. “Well, I think it’s time to get over this inevitable shout fest. Until next time me hearties.”

With that he left. I turned my gaze on Surprise, she must have put on her helmet a while ago because I noticed her playing it again, shaking her head back and forth, rattling the loose helmet. “Well, how about you?” I asked her.

She looked at me quizzically. “What about me?”

“Aren’t gonna go and do your party things or go to your home? We’re out of the forest now.”

She shook her head which caused her helmet to rattle back and forth. “No, I’m a travelling party mare, silly. Those diamond dogs took my party wagon so I don’t have a place to live anymore.” She said wearing a cheerful smile.

“Well, your awfully seem happy. You just lost your home and your still in high spirits. Are you sure you’re okay mentally?” I was starting to think Surprise was traumatized from the whole kidnapping and force to slavery incident, but I can’t be sure.

She knocked her head with her hoof. “Of course I’m okay, nothing wrong with the good ol’ noggin. I’m just happy that even with all of this, I’m spending this time with my bestest best friend.”

I sighed. “Let me guess, it’s me isn’t it.”

She giggled. “Of course you silly filly, who else could it be instead of you?”

“Umm I don’t know, someone you know and have met for quite some time. We just met like two days ago, how could we possibly be ‘bestest best friends’.” I said, making quotation marks.

She stood on her hind legs and knocked my head with her hoof.”Uhh hello, you gave up your only food for me when I got thrown in our cell. I thought that was pretty nice of you passing you food up to one you don’t know.”

I grabbed her hoof that was knocking on me and gently pushed her down. “I wasn’t even hungry back then and just so you know, I don’t eat flowers.”

“Still, that was pretty nice of you and you even saved us from the dragon! I can’t name anyone who would risk their life for me.” I should probably tell her that I just went to recover the Benevolence…Nah. “Others just avoid me, saying that I was a just crazy and annoying pony who needs friends.”

“I wonder why?” I responded sarcastically.

“I know right! I don’t know why they would say that to me. I have many friends.” Surprise fused as she waved her hooves in the air.

“Oh Really?” I asked in a bored tone, not caring in the conversation a slightest.

She looked away for a split second before turning back to me. “Yes.” I rolled my eyes. Why I’m not surprised.  Heck that’s even her na—. Wait! Is she lying? I looked at her wide-eyed.

I was about to press on that but decided not to. I should probably stop being a dick for once, it might get me last longer without a knife sticking out of my back. “So, are you sure you’re coming with me?” I asked.

She nodded eagerly. “One hundred and twenty percent sure.”

“You do realize that traveling with me might get you killed, right?” She nodded. I grinned as I remembered what Winsor said to me before confronting the dragon. “Well, it’s your funeral.”

With that, we set track on our journey, going on the other side of the fork. We walked on silence for a moment before Surprise spoke up. “You know I won’t get killed.”

“Hmm?” I raised an eyebrow.

“I know I won’t get killed, not that my bestest best friend protecting me.” She beamed.

“If you think that I’ll  babysit you along the way, then I suggest that you turn around right now."

She pouted. “Why not, I’ll help you make sure that you don’t do anything stupid.”

“What? Everything I do is carefully planned and calculated.” I lied. “Name one time I did something stupid.”

She grinned sheepishly. “Oh I don’t know, like the time you almost fought the diamond guard dogs in the mines for whipping on your back.”

“Okay I’ll admit that was pretty stupid, but I bet on you that rarely happens.” Actually I wanted to bust the dog’s ass for whipping me, but fighting an entire mine full of dogs is a no no. I may be an insane asshole, but I wasn’t suicidal.

“And I’ll make sure that rarely becomes a never, oh best pal of mine.”

I slowly shook my head and continued walking, thinking that I had enough of that discussion. I wasn’t probably gonna win anyway. “Yeah yeah, you go do that.”  She grinned. “And by the way, you can call me your bestest best friend all you want but for me, we're still just acquaintances.”

She sighed and looked down. “I understand.” I smiled at this, maybe she’s not so annoying after all. That was I thought until she looked at me beaming. “I’ll make you understand that its fun when we hang out together so one day you’ll agree to be my bestest best friend, you’ll see!” Why didn’t that made me feel better?

We continued walking towards our destination, that is if we even had a destination. I stopped dead on my tracks as I remembered that I forgot to ask where the port was, heck I even forgot to ask if Winsor had a ship so it’ll make this trip easier. Why can’t be this trip be easier?

Surprise must have noticed I stopped walking and flew towards me. “Are you okay? What’s wrong?” she asked with a concerned tone.

I groaned and rubbed my temple. “Ughh, I forgot to ask Winsor if he has any pirate ship we could sail and even where the port was on that matter.” I facepalmed. “Damn, why am I forgetful today?”

“Maybe it’s because bruise on your head.” She said as she pointed at the bruise on my forehead when I had fallen down the tree.

Rubbing the spot it seemed fine, it wasn’t hurting or anything, just a slight bump. “I don’t know… maybe.. I hope not.” I really hope that I don't become like Dory from Finding Nemo, the thought of it scares me.

Then I realized that I had a traveling companion on my side all along. I looked at her with hope. “You’re a traveller right?” I asked her.

She nodded. “Uhuh, I’ve been traveling for most of my life.” She proclaimed with pride.

I leaned in closer, my hope that I didn’t fuck up slowly rising. “So you know where the port is, right?”

She put her hoof to her chin and looked upwards to think for a moment before returning to me smiling. “Nope.”

That wasn’t the answer I was hoping to hear. I collapsed on the ground and sighed in defeat. “Fuck my life.”