//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4: High Winds 
// Story: Bridle City Port 
// by Magi Tail Welkin 
//------------------------------//

Sometimes a bad character would enter the port. But on one such occasion no one suspected such trouble.

Ten Bits and Sunshine pulled wagons of oil. The small white Unicorn looked out at the red sunrise "Hey Ten Bits a great dawn hey?"

"Yeah." Ten Bits said with a sigh before turning to his teammate and friend "Don't be fooled by appearances Sunshine. You know what my Dad says." Three other Star Ponies knew Ten Bits to be Captain Star's son, Big Jock, Hercules and OJ.

Ten Bits continued with one of his father's sayings "Red sky at night sailor's delight. Red sky at the morning sailor's warning."

"Oh," Sunshine said looking back at the sky "is bad weather coming then?"

"Yeah strong winds on the way. Suppose to be from the weather beyond the Crystal Empire. They'll be here soon." The conversation got interrupted by OJ "Get a move on you two. The storm flags are out."

"Aye we know OJ," Sunshine called "we just…"

"Well then get on with it." The old pony said before hitching himself to a wagon and continued talking "Hercules is already out answering a SOS. When you've delivered that oil help Scuttlebutt Pete bring in his dredger, he's working in the bay."

Ten Bits nodded "Aye-aye sir. Yeah, we're off now.", OJ pulled away "They'll be some extra jobs to batten down before the storm hits the harbour."

Ten Bits turned to his friend "Come on Sunshine no time for daydreaming." The small white Unicorn put a hoof forward before Ten Bits put his hoof in Sunshine way saying "No hold it!" he turned to the other pony walking up beside them "Good morning Zebedee."

The large light red Pegasus with a light grey mane turned to the Star Ponies "What's good about it? High winds on their way.", Ten Bits nodded "Yeah. Going to be a lot of work to do today."

Sunshine turned confused and nudge the teenage Earth Pony "What's going on? He cut right across us.", Ten Bits sighed and muttered "Yeah, he would, just when we're in a hurry. Oi come on.", Sunshine spoke again "Hey look at how many he's towing.", the light blue Earth Pony nodded "Yeah four. He likes to show he's as strong as any Z Mane pony." He turned back and noticed a knot of one of the back wagons loosing.

"You think we'd better tell him?" Sunshine said "He hasn't seen it.", Ten Bits nodded and rushed forward, with his wagon of oil in tow "Oi Zebedee!"

"I'm first." The Z Mane called "It's my right of way, you'll have to wait."

"You've lost a wagon." Ten Bits called back "It's going a drift."

"You're having me on." Zebedee looked about and blinked "Oh.", Ten Bits pushed the loose wagon back into place and Sunshine, having unhitched himself, came galloping up and charged his horn. Zebedee wouldn't have it "Don't interfere, I can manage."

"Suit yourself." Ten Bits said walking away "Just offering to be helpful that's all."

"We don't need anything Star Ponies has to offer."

"Do it your own way then."

Zebedee felt the strain on his reins as the fourth wagon pulled to be free and quickly called back to the two Stars "Hey, wait, hold it for me, will you?" he nodded and the teenage colt pushed the wagon back into place and the Unicorn magically retied the knot and made it much more secure. The Z Mane muttered "Thanks." Under his own breath.



Johnny Cuba. A large Minotaur with dishevelled greying black fur with mud brown almost rust coloured stops peeked out of the hut he hid in until becoming unseen. He looked around 'No-pony in sight. That's what I like. Time to slip in place in the port and, ha, meet my business pals.' As he moved off he heard a new voice.

"Ahoy there. Hold you.", Johnny turned to see a purple navy coloured Earth Pony, with a clipboard Cutie Mark. His manes tucked up underneath his white peak cap which he held onto in the brisk winds. The City Guard member walked up as he called to Johnny, the Minotaur gritting his teeth, "Customs inspection. You are within port limits." Johnny speed up and using his hoofed leg to kick the Earth Pony into a cliff-face close by. The Minotaur laughed "Sorry mate, the wind must have blown me off course." He turned a corner and grinned as he recognised the red Pegasus approaching "Well, well, well. Captain Zero's little Zeb."

The Z Mane gulped, shook slightly and sweated as he approached "Hello Johnny I mean, uh, Mister Cuba."

"Good day, nice to see you." He said waving the light grey maned Pony "Listen do something for me.", Zebedee gulped and stuttered something before the Minotaur continued "Slip me into the harbour so I'm not seen, I'll see you alright."

"I'd love to sir, honest I would." The large light red Z Mane stuttered "But…"

"No ifs, no buts." Johnny snapped "I need to get in there. The winds making me angry. I'm setting my plans."

"Sorry sir." Zebedee said trying to worm his way out "But you see Captain Zero's given me other orders."

Johnny scowled. Grabbed the Z Mane by the wings. And pull him up to his face "Listen to me kid. Zero owes me understand? So, don't argue or you'll be in deep trouble. And I do mean deep."

Sweat dropped from Zebedee's coat as he nodded.

The gangster told Zebedee to take him discreetly to the old docks abandoned and sighted for demolish since the Changeling incident. At every sound, the creak of rotten wood, and the scurrying of mice the Z Mane jumped and so he voiced his opinion "I don't like it here. And it's out of bounds to shipping."

"Too bad." Johnny said waving it off. He arranged to meet his criminal friends there and he wouldn't change it because of one Pony "Now I need food right away. And be quick about it or I'll break your wings."

"You mean steal it?"

"Did I say steal? Just get it when nobody's looking." The Z Mane grumbled "Yes sir. Right away sir" he spread his wings out, Johnny grabbed his tail and sternly spoke "And don't try anything fancy. Or you'll find yourself sleeping with the fish tonight." He laughed as Zebedee turned white before letting the Z Mane go.

Zebedee thought about his terrible situation. Johnny Cuba would kill him if he didn't help him. And because of events which happen many years before, he knew Captain Zero would do the same if he did. The two used to be partners but now Zero hated Cuba, quite why he never said. But Zebedee knew he couldn't tell his captain.

He currently sat outside Lucky's Yard. Inside he heard the worker busily repairing the private locomotive and carriage of the Duke and Duchess of Maretonia. Apparently, the engine needed a complete overhaul. The noise did nothing to help him work out the situation.

He looked up and saw Ten Bits and Sunshine struggling with Scuttlebutt Pete to tow his dredger crane. The wind buffeted them and pulled them back and forth. Scuttlebutt yelled "Come on you two, get sorted out. Or we won't get this home before the storm breaks."

Sunshine struggled and wailed out "We cannot hold it stallion.", and Ten Bits added "We're doing our best."

"Do better than that." Scuttlebutt replied "You've got to."

"The winds too strong." Ten Bits complained and Sunshine anxiously wailed "Oh what are we going to do?", Ten Bit replied "If only I could fix one more line."

Zebedee started flying away, he took it slow to try and find the right air current but Ten Bits called to him "Oi Zebedee. Give us a hoof!"

"Sorry can't stop, important job to do."

"Just keep the dredger steady while I fix another line that's all."

"Why should I?"

"Well because we're in trouble that's why.", Sunshine suggested something else "And you owe us one for the wagons." The Z Mane sighed and flew to them "Alright just this once, but don't tell Captain Zero." Ten Bits nodded and he quickly fixed the line tightly to his and Sunshine's yokes, now they could keep the dredger steady themselves, the teenager Earth Pony sighed "That's it. Thanks Zebedee." Sunshine nodded "Aye that's just what we needed."

The Z Mane turned to Scuttlebutt "Not a word Scuttlebutt."

"Me! I never gossip. Never."

"That'll be the day. If Captain Zero knows I've helped Star Ponies I'm lost." He spread his wings out and took off before shouting back "We're all square then?" and heard the two young ponies call back "Yeah/ Aye we're quits there."

Zebedee used the winds to quickly get him to the Bridge Café. He spied a shipment of food, suitable for vegetarians such as Ponies and Minotaurs stand in an alleyway. He checked constantly for any-pony in view 'If I can slip one wagon away that'll keep Johnny quiet. I'll worry about Captain Zero later.'

Down at the end of the alleyway. Waiting as his last shipment was brought into the Café kitchens, Top Hat magically polished his monocle. He really wanted to get a move on so he could smarten himself up, a dear old friend of his would be coming to Bridle City with her friends too.
He placed back against his eye and looked up catching Zebedee making away with one of the wagons 'That's odd. I thought I was the only one stuck with food deliveries today.' His eyebrows frowned 'I wonder what he's up to.' He tapped his hoof on his chin 'I think I'd better check with Captain Star.'

Unbeknownst to his possible catch Zebedee successfully made it back to the old docks. Johnny Cuba still waited for his friends to arrive and turned to look as the Z Mane enter sheepishly "I, uh, brought your food Mister Cuba sir."

Cuba grinned "You're okay Zeb. I'll put in a good word for you with Zero."

The Z Mane started stuttering "Oh no, please don't do that Mister Cuba, I mean he's a bad boss as it is." He blinked and began curling into himself "Oh I mean…"

Johnny scowled "You mean he wouldn't like you helping me hay? That it?"

"No," the light red Pegasus shuttered "I don't mean that. He sent me out to, you see the winds causing trouble and I…", the Minotaur started laughing and wave his hand at him "You can go mate. Long as your back here tonight okay? No worries."

"Yeah." Zebedee nodded as he walked out trying to be fast but not as if he was trying to run away from Cuba "Whatever you say old buddy, Mister Cuba sir."



Big Jock sat out on a jetty but behind a pillar to keep the wind off him. He heard the clopping of hooves and turned as Warrior trotted up "Hey Big Jock." he called "I just heard from Grampus that Hercules has got the carriages of three forty-five train from Ponyville in tow."

"Um, sound serious."

"Yeah the engine got damaged when it was blown of the rails."

The older Earth Pony huffed "Not another one of your disasters Warrior?"

Warrior blushed "Not me honest.", Big Jock laughed "I was joking. Come on let tell OJ and the others, then meet Hercules and bring the train in."
"Yeah. Let's hope we don't delay the train by too much."



Back on the coastal road towards the outer limits of the port territory where he met Cuba Zebedee tried again at fulfilling his orders from Captain Zero. To find Ponies or any other creature in fact who needed help, at a good price of course. He walked as the strength of the winds coming from the sea grounded him. Nearing the cliffs when someone called for help. Zebedee speed towards the call but stopped, shut his eyes and sighed 'Oh no, City Guard.' He carried enough trouble with him already, but he couldn't ignore some-pony in trouble.

The navy purple pony rubbed his leg and chuckled slightly "Never thought I'd be glad to see you Zebedee?"

"Oh dear." The Z Mane said coming closer "How does a City Guard get into this mess?"

"Johnny Cuba kick me into the cliff. My leg's broken so I need to be carried back."

Zebedee gulped and approached more slowly, a small bead of sweat fell down his face "Johnny who?"

"Don't play dumb with me, I here Zero and Johnny are good buddies."

"Well not anymore Captain Zero…"

"Ha!" the City Guards-pony said pointing a hoof at the Z Mane "So you do know him."

"Hey?" Zebedee realising his being caught out "Oh yeah." He shook his head quickly "Oh no, no, I just come out here to see if any-pony might need some help what with these winds and that.", the City Guard nodded "Ah, salvage is what you're after. Well you'll get something if you get me into port I'm sure."

Zebedee nodded and came closer to examine the injuries of the Earth Pony, he winched "You'll need to go to hospital." He used his wings and hooves to put the small Pony on his back "Take you to it."

They needed to cross the railroad lines to get to the hospital quickly and on the way, they greeted Big Jock and Warrior going the opposite way. When the larger Earth Pony question the City Guard about his condition the naval purple pony answered with droll wit "Injured by a crook and rescued by a crook, that's all."

With the two Star Ponies gone the Earth Pony spoke "My guess is you've taken that gangster somewhere Zebedee. Come on, own up, where?", the Z Mane gulped and shuttered as he spoke "All I did was bring him into port. I said I had to let him go because I'd got work to do. Where he went after that I don't know."

"I've a good mind to run you in for questioning.", Zebedee's eyes widened in shock as the City Guard continued "You wait till Captain Zero hears about it. He won't like it you know that.", Zebedee shuddered "I do, I do. Some thanks I get for rescuing you."

After dropping the City Guard in the care of the hospital and went back the way he came. Unfortunately, he came across Zorran, the second-in-command of the Z Mane did not look happy to see him "What are you doing here? You supposed to be out there answering distress calls."
"Zorran I was…"

"I tell you where you've been. You've been helping those Star Ponies kids. You creep." He shook his head "I'd not to be a goody-goody Star Pony, would you?"

Zebedee looked away and noticed something and muttered "Looks like trouble." And he ran off leaving Zorran called back "Hey I haven't finished yet, Zebedee come back here." The dark orange Pegasus turned to see what caught his crew member's attention "Ah the Stars are being in that delayed train." He chuckled "That should be worth watching in this wind."

Unlike with the delicate job with the train of the Duke and Duchess of Maretonia every Star Ponies worked to pull the train in station.
The line down to the station was laid on a slope so the Ponies need to slowly ease the train down. When they did this with the Duke and Duchess's train the driver on the train helped by using the air brakes, but without the locomotive on hand they used their strength to slow the carriages as they rolled.

Hercules, who previously towed the carriages in now as the strongest pulled from the back of the last carriage. Big Jock, OJ, Top Hat and Warrior pulled back from the sides and Ten Bits and Sunshine check to make sure the track ahead was fine. For some reason a Royal Guard pony joined them having been a passenger on the train. The yellowy-orange Pegasus walked with the two young ponies.

However, the winds made it hard to keep under control, and in more ways than one.

Hercules felt a sharp tug from his reins and saw the front carriage swerve to the right and onto the buffer-less siding leading to the station platform "What's happening up there? Come on Stars."

Big Jock called from the left side "The signals aren't responding Hercules. The wind's too strong.", indeed Hercules watched as the nearest signal fell over close by.

Front of the carriage Ten Bits called "I can't hold it much longer." He, Sunshine and the Royal Guard Pony tried pushing. Hercules began pulling back using his wings to give him extra strength "Full power everybody."

Warrior who stood near the emergency lever of the failed points called "I'm pulling full force can't do no more."

Close to the front of the train OJ shouted "We need another Pony. Just one more will do it." The oldest pony turned to a fire-pony yoked up to a fire engine, the emergency worker shook his head "Sorry I can't help. I'm needed in case of fire."

The train gave a lurch forward and Ten Bits shouted desperately "We're losing it. Will be crushed between train and platform. From above another voice called "That's another thing you owe me Kid."

Ten Bits looked up and smiled "Zebedee, thanks just in time, you're a life saver." And the team started pushing it back towards the mainline.

When the bogie of the front coach cleared, the points Warrior pulled the emergency lever hard and secured the points "Got it OJ!"

Zebedee shuddered 'Captain Zero will have my head for this.' He quickly flew off as the Star Ponies called their congratulations.

Zorran blinked astounded 'Is Zebedee going soft in the head or something. The idiot.' The Z Manes were meant to beat the Star, not help them. He then looked back at the train as the Stars moved to the more level grounded station and put it to a stop.

Ten Bits and Sunshine climbed onto the platform and collapse. The Royal Guard Pony said something, and then some-pony Zorran never expected. Out from the carriage disembarked Princess Twilight Sparkle, followed by her dragon assistant, her student and her closest friends, the Council of Friendship. Zorran blinked with wide eyes 'Maybe it wasn't so bad that Zebedee helped. The Z Mane may just have gotten some good points with the Princess.'

On the platform, Flash Sentry and Twilight both talked to the young Ponies as Captain Star waliked into the station. He gave a salute to the Princess and her Captain before turning to Ten Bits "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," the teenage Earth Pony said standing up "just very shaken. If it wasn't for Zebedee, I'd hate to think what would've happened."

Top Hat who'd been speaking with Rarity walked up to the Captain "Actually Captain Star I observed that very same Z Mane stealing food from the Bridge Café."

Captain Star narrowed his eyes, after a moment he looked up and called "Hercules."

The large Pegasus turned from where he spoke with Rainbow Dash and Captain Star gave an order "Find Zebedee. Something is odd with that Pony." Hercules nodded and spread his wings.

Rainbow Dash trotted up to Twilight as the Star Pegasus flew off "As a Wonderbolt I've got to make sure any reservists are safe, in this weather." She turned away "Spitfire and Soarin would never let me live it down if I failed."

"Of course, Dash," she then turned to her guard "Flash you go with her. If this Zebedee's a criminal, he needs to be brought in."

"Understood Princess." He smiled and both spread their wings and followed to where Hercules and Zebedee flew off to.



"Hello Mister Cuba sir." Zebedee said landing rather gingerly.

"Well, well, well, it Zeb back again. Keep doing as Johnny Cuba tells you and you'll come to no harm. You with me?"

"Uh yes Mister Cuba. The winds dying down."

"Right. There's a few other little things I want you to do for me both we go. Now listen…", Zebedee nodded before looking up and turning shocked "Oh no it's Hercules!"

"Hello what's going on here?" The large Star Pegasus landed "Oh yes Zebedee." As he spoke Rainbow Dash and Flash Sentry landed, Flash Sentry's eye frowned and he scowled, so did Hercules who continued "And where are you taking our friend, the well-known Johnny Cuba?"

Rainbow Dash's eye widened as she blinked but then she joined in as Zebedee started shuttering and failing to answer.

Cuba answered for the Z Mane "What's it to you Star?", seemingly failing to notice the Royal Guard Pony and the Wonderbolt, though Rainbow was out of uniform.

Hercules answered "We know you Johnny Cuba. Up to no good." He turned to Zebedee "We'll hand him over the authorities Zebedee." He jutted his head to Flash Sentry and spoke again "They may like to have a word with him."

"No, you don't!" Cuba said and he turned to the door.

Zebedee scowled. Spread his wings and launched himself into the Minotaur, kicked one of his knee and shattered it "You're not going anywhere." He grumbled pinning the ground.

Hercules grinned "Well done Zebedee my dear." He turned to Flash and Dash "Come on let take him in." As they surrounded the gangster Cuba looked to the Z Mane "I'll break your back for the one." Then he shouted "THEY CAN'T HOLD JOHNNY CUBA!"

Cuba found himself to be wrong. The authorities did hold Johnny Cuba and transported him to a top-level security prison in the Crystal Empire. Say what you will of King Sombra, he knew how to make a dungeon.

Princess Twilight Sparkle, who visited Bridle City Port to start organising the next year's Summer Sun Celebrations, Princess Celestia having chosen Bridle City to host the Royal ceremony, gave official thanks to Zebedee and Hercules.

As Ten Bits and Sunshine set out on their last job of the day the wind dropped completely. The Unicorn smiled relieved "Hey you'd think that storm never happened. It's a lovely evening now bud."

"Yeah." His friend nodded and looked to the side as the passed the Bridge Café as a familiar face walked out "Ah look who's here. The Z Manes' hero."

"Hi you Zebedee." Sunshine called "Congratulations."

"Yeah." The Pegasus said grinning "Not bad, was it?", Ten Bits smiled "You were great."

Zebedee sighed with relief "Captain Zero is over the moon now Johnny Cuba can't get at him."

"Yeah." Ten Bits nodded "Thanks for helping with Scuttlebutt Pete."

"Hey just forget about that, will you? Captain Zero wouldn't be pleased to hear about that."

"Oh dear." Both young ponies said with a little laughter. The Z Mane nodded "Yeah nor Zorran neither."

Sunshine finished laughing and nodded "We won't tell don you worry."

Zebedee narrowed his eyes at the Unicorn "You'd better not. I've had enough troubles today." He spread his wings "Well see you fellers hey?"

"Zebedee?" the light blue Earth Pony spoke up "If you ever think of leaving the Z Manes…"

"What? You crazy?" he said lifting off the ground "Today was today okay?"

Ten Bits looked down a little embarrassed "Oh. Yeah well. Just a thought."

"Yeah?" the Pegasus called back as he flew off "Well you think too much."

Once out of sight Ten Bits and Sunshine continued their way, but now with the hope that everyone contained some good in them, even Z Manes.