A sudden pang threatened to torture his cranium. He didn't want to get out of bed, but the twang convinced him otherwise. He looked to his side to see Caitlyn asleep with her jaw open and drool rolling from the corner of her mouth. Shes lying beside him with her belly up and forelegs tucked in. Despite her peaceful and steady breathing, he doubted that she'll wake up nicely. His migrane returned, reminding him to do something to ease it. Maybe I should get some grub. he thought.
He stood onto his hooves and looked around. He didn't care that he slept so closely to Cait, his mind was set on ridding the pain. He slowly trotted to the door, slightly swaying. Once he got onto the deck, he spotted Kennen who was knocked out on a crate. He'll be getting it the worst. He continued to the kitchen and asked the cook for some oranges. In a moment, the unicorn levitated 2 towards him. They shared their thanks and goodbyes then he trotted back to the cabin. With his clumsy hooves, he peeled both oranges. He began to nibble away at his, while he set the other one down beside Cait.
He sat back, wondering what his memories of last night would be. He knew it was part of the hangover symptoms. As he munched on his orange, he stared at the ceiling. Who knew that planks of wood that stood above him can occupy his eyes as he drifted into his thoughts. He also wondered if Cait even has any feelings for him.
She stirred awake then took in a yawn. He observed how lazily she opened her eyes, then cringed in pain as her migraine took her too. She then lifted her head up in wide eyes.
"Gah!! I regret everything!" she bursted out, all Luio can do was laugh in irony. She was the first pony to try the rum without hesitation. She turned to Luio and lightly punched him in the shoulder, "Hush you!"
They both laughed but was interrupted when Cait winced at her migraine. Luio pointed to the orange beside her indicating its hers. They both talked and nibbled on their oranges in the cabin.
"Ugh! Why haven't they replied yet?!" Shining exclaimed in frustration,
"I suggest sending a scout to see what has held them up." Swain calmly spoke, "I wouldn't expect those guards to forget a daily report... for 5 days sir."
"Then send more than just a scout to their position! This could be a very dangerous threat!" he stomped his hoof, "There could be an army rallying there, waiting to plunge the Empire! Send a battalion!"
"As you wish Shining." he hurried off to the barracks.
"Hey Cait..."
"Yea Luio?"
"I feel like we're forgetting something."
"Nah."
Kennen awoke with the worst headache ever! He knew the hangover would be bad but not this agonizing! He was greeted by the sun which made him realize how sweaty he is, the sunburns around his eyes, and the swaying of the boat... he suddenly had the urge to vomit. He rushed to the side of the boat and let himself do what his stomach needed to do. He blocked out the fact that his fur around his eyes was burning from sunburn, his mind was having an apocalypse, and that his heart was pummeling through his chest; all his body wanted to do is get off this ship.
"Whoa Kennen!" Luio stepped out of the lower decks, "Need something to eat?" he offered an orange.
"No-- *vomits*" he was being tortured.
"Damn..." Cait commented in sympathy,
They turned their attention to Skarner and the pirate captains.
"Ahoy thar mateys!" Gangplank gave a hearty laugh as he greeted them, "We be hitt' land 'n 'bout sun-down!"
"Thats great!" they both praised in unison, making them giggle.
"Yes, it is quite formidable that we can actually get there in 15 hours; it usually takes us 2 days." Fortune added in, with a smile
They nodded in impressiveness, even though they didn't understand how much that meant to them. They all parted their ways around the ship, finding ways to pass the time by. Skarner continued to gaze out into the sea, pondering about this world. He also daydreamed about Princess Terra. He wondered if she lived through his life underground, or was executed in public. He shuddered at that thought and decided to think about the new world. It was so strange from back then. The grass would be yellower, the mountains in the distance would be shrouded in storms, and the trees would be much more larger. But that was old Equestria, this is present and modern Equestria. He sighed, wishing his people were alive to see this era.
Kennen sighed as he walked in on Ryze. Ryze just nodded to him then waved for him to come to see his works. The mage has been studying and researching in his cabin last night and today. He wanted to show Ken something.
"Agent Kennen, I need you to see this!" he pointed to a large behemoth, the agent recognized it as the creature they saw yesterday. "This is Cho'Gath, the most fearsome creature in the void. Not only does he consume everything in his path, "He flipped his papers and revealed a cloaked mage in purple. Behind the cloaked prophet was an army of voidlings and abnormal creatures. "This is Malzahar, The Prophet of the Void. With his foresight of the future, he is trusted to lead the organized part of the void to take over the worlds." he took out another page. He showed a lone being with his head looking straight. The void surrounded him but dared not to disturb him. The being is wearing some alien armor that showed both an abnormal and eerie aura. "This is Kassadin, The Void Walker. He used to be a pony like us, but he stepped into the void in search and rescue of his daughter. Unfortunately, the void took them both. All three of these beings are some of the most feared amoungst the void realm."
"Well, how would we even put up a fight against them? If that beast was so hard to take down... how difficult would it be to stop the other two? Or their minions?!"
"We must seek audience with the Royal guards, Griffons, or perhaps Dragons. This is a threat that will doom Equestria if matters get out of hoof. Of course, by the looks of this, we don't have much time."
As evening approaches, the ship nears Canterlot's port. The captain steered the ship towards the large hill that towered beside the port. This is where he planned to drop off the guards, so that Urgot would have no suspicion. No doubt that he had mercenaries looking about. Gangplank as a master of deception, flew a trade-merchant flag and hid his cannons. He also had his crew hide beneath the top deck. He neared a small island that can cover their ship from eyes from the port.
"This is where we will drop our ship's disguise as we will return after we drop the guards off. We'll then swerve into the port's view as we were, then the rest has been discussed." she reminded Gangplank who rolled his eyes.
"Ya told me that over fifty times already! Alert our mateys 'n tell 'em we LAND HOE!" he got into a fit of laughter as Fortune rolled her eyes.
"This is goodbye." Miss Fortune shook their hands as they departed onto the beach.
"It has been a pleasure Miss Fortune." Skarner replied
"Was totally fun!" Luio said with glee,
"Indeed, farewell Miss Fortune."
"Dispite my sea-sickness, this is a day to remember." he gestured to Gangplank who smiled as he also shook their hands.
"Goo'luck me hearties! Comeback when ye need another adventure!!" Gangplank yelled as they trotted off into the forest. They waved goodbye, then the captain and his partner smiled as they returned to the rowboat.
Once they reached the city, they wanted to contact Shining ASAP. Then they realized...
"...WE HAVEN'T REPORTED BACK IN 6 DAYS!!!!" Luio exclaimed, making everyone gasp in panic.
"Oh dear..." Skarner drooped his head in disappointment. Kennen kept his stoic posture but you can see the panic in his eyes.
"We better send one now. Shining will be angry, but it's better than nothing." they all agreed with Cait.
"I will send the message, I practiced sending parchments with Princess Terra." Luio handed the rolled up parchment to Skarner so he could send it. His horn lit up and the scroll dissolved into magic dust. He smiled and nodded that it has been sent. Then immediately, he gets a parchment lodged into his eye. It was Shining's reply, Cait pulled it out of Skarner's eye and hesitantly read the message. She flinched during her reading.
"He is definitely not happy. Although he will look into our 'void' problem." she said
"Will you take me to speak with the high rulers of the kingdom?" Ryze spoke up, they almost forgot he was with them.
"Yes, assuming you know a lot more of the void than we do."
They all nodded in agreement and trotted towards Canterlot's castle.
Celestia and Luna stood in thought, not knowing how to react to the situation at first. Then Luna glanced at Ryze.
"If thou speakest of truth, then we shall gather the attention of the other leaders. Although they may not trust thee since thou dost not hath true evidence. We hast heard of 'the Void' before but Starswirl quickly tended to it. Thus, relieving us worry for many years."
"Until now." Celestia finished Luna's words, "I will notify Shining Armour and The Griffons. Although the Dragon kind will not be so easy to..." she took a moment to think of a fitting word, "Well they are quite a stubborn and independent kind."
"No need to tell Shining, we have already reported to him the matter and he has already sent troops to the mountains." said Caitlyn.
"Very well, As I was saying, the dragons have a history with ponies where they do not appreciate to be associated into any of their problems."
Ryze nodded in acknowledgement, "If you were to point me the way to them, I will attempt to convince them otherwise."
"Their lands are hostile to ponies. I can not allow any pony to cross. Not that it's forbidden, but they may take no hesitation to assault you."
"Im sure I can manage myself." he pleaded with his eyes.
"If you are to go, then we will accompany you with guards." Celestia gave him a stern and serious look. "I will have Shining tend to that matter."
"Thank you your highness." the guards bowed. They made their way to the barracks where they will meet Shining.
He scowled in frustration, even when he finished ranting about their 'late' reports. He already sent off Ryze with 4 members of the Royal guards, hoping he would succeed.
"There are other elite agents of the Royal guard around Canterlot, at the moment they are off-duty. I have no information of their whereabouts other than that they are in the west region of the city. Their names are Alistar: a minotaur, Nasus: a librarian, then Twitch: a rat. Do not be fooled, Twitch may revolt you at first but he is an honorary member of the elite guards. Are we clear?"
"Yes sir!" they replied in unison. Luio and Caitlyn tried to hold back a giggle and luckily got away with it.
"Then you should make your leave... now!"
They dashed out the barracks and into the high-class pony population.
@@@@ Hey guys, this is a separate part of the story which involves Gp and Mf's deal with Urgot. Although this part is irrelevant to Skarner, i couldnt leave you guys hangin right?@@@@
Gangplank, who is in shackles and is occupied by two beefy crew members of his ship, intended to look like a captive. Miss Fortune strutted ahead and gracefully, to show confidence and seriousness. They left the ship in the harbour while it's crew awaits for their captain's orders. They were to meet Urgot within the small swamp that was hidden behind Canterlot's port. Miss Fortune lead them through the shacks that sold misty and "ancient" trinkets. They were offered pet crocadiles when they passed by the blacksmith. Gangplank was tempted to purchase a parrot at the pet shop but was swatted by Fortune to remind him of the matter at hand.
They strode for 30 minutes before they reached the swamp outskirts. They were encountered by a group of abnormally large crabs, but it wasn't a problem to them. Within the swamp, they stepped onto a wooden bridge that trailed above the swamp, making the travel convienent. Evetually the wooden paths allowed them to spot a shack in the distance. The captain could see his crew on standby deep within the swamp and silently scolded at them for not hiding well enough. Apparantly, Urgot had no guards surrounding the shack. He could still smell the pony from inside; it could also be the natural stench on the swamp.
When they neared the entrance, Fortune nodded at Ganplank who nodded back, indicating their plans are now going.
They were politely greeted by Urgot's henchmen who stood almost twice their size.
"Come in with haste. Master Urgot awaits." He lead them into the shack which looked alot larger than it does from the outside. He sat on the highest seat at the back.
"Ah... The notorious Captain Gangplank. I have anticipated this event for a while." He glanced at Miss Fortune, "And my dearest bounty hunter, has once again yet to succeed. I had no doubts. Although I am concerned about the time you took. However, it does not matter." He waves to his other henchman beside him to fetch the large sack of bits.
"I believe you have earned this Miss Fortune." He geatured him to give the sack to the mare. She took the sack and left with a nod and a tip of her hat. The two crew members also left with her. Gangplank gave Urgot a cold glare, as he showed no emption back. Urgot is an abnormal cyborg, half-mechanics, half-pony. He had 4 legs that were colored golden, and two fore-legs that were mounted with a blade, and the other a noxian blaster. He had cuts all over hos torso, lined with stiches. He had a mask covering most of his head accept his right eye and right side of his skull. He had a rspirator that helped him adapt to any air since he has breathing issues. He has no cutie mark; it was lost when his body was under repair.
He strode up to the captain and lifted his chin up with his blade.
"Tell me, how did a 'mare' capture the mighty Gangplank when even I couldn't?"
"Well, she are a pirate-hunter for ay reason." he replied with gritted teeth.
"Oh please, how much of a lie that is." he stepped back then leaned in front of gangplank's face, "You fell for her didn't you..."
"WHAT?! THAR BE BOSTEROUS!" he snapped at him.
He sighed, "Whatever, but what shall I do with you? Theres just so many things that I can do, just so little of you to do it all." he snickered then coughed, "One option does 'stick-out' to me" he emphasised, "what do you think about telling me where you keep your treasures? Or shall i say... booty?" he gave a hoarse laugh, causing him to once again cough violently.
"So, tell me... how did she capture you?"
Gangplank used his cover story that he and MF thought of. But he couldn't give it so easily, "Hah! Yar be speakin as if i were ay lovesick scoundrel!"
"Are you not?"
"Naw!"
"Truly, just tell me. Im dying of curiousity."
"Cause she din't cower in a shack!" He yelled out. Shack was the cue word. Many hollars were heard from outside, then without a chance to react, gangplank's crewmembers crashed in. Immediately they got down to fight off Urgot and his henchmen.
Miss Fortune shot off Gangplank's shackles making him flinch. She then handed him his favourite flint-lock pistol theat she brought in. He shot in the air and made a battlecry. He charged in, and shot Urgot's blaster. Although it did little damage to him, he turned his attention to block his saber. He turned to shot his blaster right into his chest, but was interrupted by the captain's pistol shot into his face.
Reluctantly, it only hit his mask. Gangplank recovered his saber and slashed down again. Again, he was blocked by Urgot's blade. He then shot out the blade when he tilted it towards the captain. It impaled him, but it didn't knock him down. Miss fortune came behind him and quickly shot 14 bullets into his back. He bellowed in pain, then shot out a gas canister at her. She cringed and backed away as her lungs were on fire. The gas spreaded throughout the whole shack; it didn't affect his henchmen.
Luckily, Gangplank and Missfortune's crew were prepared and quickly slipped on their gas masks they had. They continued fighting in such a cramped area. Urgot shot his blaster at Miss Fortune. The green bolt hit her right in the stomach, causing her to fall to the ground, clutching her sides. Gangplank quickly shot one of Urgot's leg, making him limp. Urgot swivelled around to retaliate. But clumsily failed as he slashed at nothing but air. The captain popped out behind him and shot another at his right hind-leg causing him to tremble and crumble. Crippled, he was vulnerable. His mechanical legs weren't responding. He tried to turn to fend off the captain, but was too late as he slashed off his bladed fore-leg, his fluid gushed all over the floor.
Gangplank gave the cyborg mercy, as he presented himself and Miss Fortune that they were members of the Royal guards. The crewmembers had paralysis soaked on their blades so that they just had to slash at the henchmen to stop them. As they planned, no-pony was killed. They were all brought into Canterlot prison with ease (excluding the fact that carrying Urgot's crippled body was both tiresome and revolting). Before Urgot was thorn into his cellar, he gave out a weak, but sinister laugh.
"Well played, but do remember that once I get out. You'll be the first on my hit-list." he didn't lift his head.
Gangplank and Miss Fortune left with their payment from both Shining and Urgot. They hoof-bumped and celebrated with barrels of RUM!