Tag felt the carriage touch the ground with a shudder. He looked out the window on the door and saw a gray rocky beach run along a gray shoreline. He opened the door and Princess Celestia stepped out, he followed. Looking around he saw what he never would have expected; a large brown ship, flying a flag completely black except for white skull and crossbones.
Pirates!? Book cried.
Pirates? Tag asked.
Pirates… oh, right, you wouldn’t know. Pirates sail around a plunder ships and are generally bad news. Book summed. Tag looked up at Princess Celestia.
“Is this my help?” He asked. Princess Celestia closed her eyes and exhaled slowly.
“Yes.” She said.
I can see why she’s s reluctant about this. Book observed. Asking pirates for help must mean that they’re really desperate; help from pirates doesn’t come cheap. Princess Celestia had trotted towards the ship while Tag jumped to catch up. The he saw the pony standing with his hooves in the tide; his fur was brown, and his mane was black and twisted into dreadlocks that hung around either side of his head, under his thick chin hung a small goatee. He wore a large coat the same colour as his fur and Tag could clearly see a short sword with a curved end strapped to his side.
That’s a cutlass. Book filled in for him.
Thanks. Tag thought quickly. The pony took note of Celestia and stepped out of the water. He trotted and stood in front of her, looking at her flippantly.
“McCutchen?” Celestia asked.
“Captain, Captain McCutchen.” He said. Celestia nodded quickly.
“Forgive me then, Captain McCutchen. You know your mission I presume?”
“Take your ‘agent’ to Heaven’s End and check out the castle there.” He said mechanically.
“Good, this is our agent; Tag Shadow.” She motioned to Tag with a wing. Captain McCutchen snorted.
“Tag Shadow?” He asked.
“Just Tag will do.” Tag said trying to look calm. Captain McCutchen sized him up with a quick glance; he stopped when he saw Tagia.
“You know how to use that I trust?” He asked.
“Yes… Captain.” Tag answered.
“I would hope so, or you won’t last long out on the sea.” He said. He turned his attention back to Celestia. “I trust you’ll have the payment ready for when we get back?”
“Yes, it will be here upon the safe return of Tag.” She agreed. Captain McCutchen nodded.
“Is that everything?” He asked.
“Yes, I must stress though that it is imperative you get back with the information as soon as possible.” Celestia said. Captain McCutchen turned around; he motioned to Tag with a hoof and walked back into the tide. Tag watched as the Princess trotted back into the carriage and followed Captain McCutchen wordlessly. A plank was lowered from the ship and Captain McCutchen trotted up followed by Tag.
He stood on the ship and looked around; behind him two earthponies pushed the plank up against the hoof railing, a motley crowd of all three kinds of ponies stood around looking at Tag, some wore light shirts but most wore nothing. Captain McCutchen looked at them all.
“What are you all waiting for?” he roared. “We’re going to Heaven’s End!” A large cheer from the ponies met his shout and they all went to work on various chores. Captain McCutchen turned back to Tag and held out a hoof. “No hard feelings I hope?” He asked with a broad smile on his face. Tag was speechless. “I see my acting skills are as good as ever!” He laughed. Tag looked back at the shoreline quickly.
“But… what about… you were…” He mumbled.
“Just an act!” Captain McCutchen said laughing. “Don’t want the Royal Family to think we’re getting soft do we?” Tag finally understood, he laughed a little.
“I see what you mean, of course there’s no hard feelings.” Tag said shaking the Captain’s hoof.
“Good, that being said, don’t tell your friend Princess Celestia about any of this.” Captain McCutchen said darkly. Tag nodded understandingly. “Good.”
“Is there anything I could do to help?” Tag asked looking around; the crewponies seemed to be handling things fine.
“I think you should sleep, helps get past the seasickness.” Captain McCutchen suggested.
“Well okay then, point me to, Captain.” Tag said looking around.
“Brook!” Captain McCutchen called out. A deep blue earthpony with a streak of blue for a cutie mark trotted over from the crowd.
“Reporting!” She said.
“Show our guest to the sleeping quarters.” He instructed. Brook saluted quickly and looked to Tag.
“This way.” She said and led Tag down below the open deck, the ship had started to rock and he felt slightly nauseated. The below deck area was dark; the only light came from between crisscrossed bars in the ceiling and several lanterns hanging from the wall. The entire area smelt damp and felt even more so. Between wooden columns simple hammocks hung.
“Is this it?” Tag asked looking around. “There aren’t even enough for everypony!” Brook looked at him.
“Well two ponies share the hammock, taking turns, one sleeps for the night shift and the other for the day shift. The first day after leaving port we have to work hard all day so the entire crew works.” Brook explained. “We have one spare, this one.” She said standing beside a hammock. It looked no different from the others. Tag stood beside it.
“Well… I guess wake me up when you need me.” He mumbled and hopped in. Brook eyed Tagia.
“Are you going to take that off?” She asked. Tag looked down at Tagia quickly but shifted so she couldn’t see it.
“No, it’s okay.” He said quietly. Brook looked at him for a moment then shrugged her shoulders.
“Okay, it’s your call.” She mumbled and trotted above deck. Tag closed his eyes and let the rocking of the ship calm him.
You don’t trust them? Book asked.
Not right now, no. But I think that McCutchen seems like a good pony. Only time will tell though. Tag sighed and let sleep take him.
----
Tor stood outside a house on the outskirts of town; it looked like it was well cared for despite the fact that Quick Thrust was supposedly old. Tor trotted up to the threshold and was about to knock but stopped.
What should I say? He asked.
It might be a good idea to appeal to his soldier background. Silver suggested. Call him sir and such just like when you were in the Manehattan guard. Tor struggled to recall how he talked to his superior officers.
Okay, I think I’ve got it. He knocked. A moment passed before the door cracked, the head of a young stallion poked through.
“May I help you?” He asked; he had a thin voice and looked from side to side as he spoke, his voice reminded Tor of Fluttershy. Tor was taken aback but recovered quickly.
“Yes, I was wondering, is this the home of Quick Thrust?” He asked peering into the household. The stallion nodded and closed the door. Tor heard the sounds of several chain locks unlocking and the door opened to reveal the young, pegasus stallion standing in the doorway. He ushered Tor inside and closed the door behind them; he relocked all the locks. He turned back.
“Father! You have some visitors!” He called out and jumped into the air, he flew over Tor and into the main room; the main room was very spacious and tall so the pegasi could fly around. An aging pegasus stallion stood up from one chair beside the coffee table. Tor noticed the rippling muscles beneath his dull gray coat and his cutie mark, a spear. He strode confidently despite his old age and he stood in front of Tor with an air of quiet dignity. Tor felt like bowing.
“You have business with me?” He asked steely. Tor blinked.
“Yes, sir.” He said. Quick Thrust’s eyebrow went up. He motioned for Tor follow him. Quick Thrust sat back in his chair and pointed to another, Tor sat down.
“It’s good to see that some ponies have the presence of mind to show some respect.” He said wistfully. Tor smiled thinly.
“Well I’m certainly used to speaking to higher ranking officers.” He said.
“Really? Were you a member of the guard?” He asked surprised. “To young to be retired… not an injury… I hope it was an honourable discharge.” He mumbled to himself. Tor chuckled lightly.
“I wasn’t exactly discharged, but… circumstances arose and I had to leave. But before that I was a member of the Manehattan guard.” He explained. Quick Thrust peered at him curiously.
“You must be Tor then… Tag?” He struggled to remember.
“Tor was right.” Tor corrected him. The young stallion from before flew back into the main room with a tray of tea; he placed it on the table and flew out quickly.
“Thank you, Zoom!” Quick Thrust called out behind him. “That’s my son, terribly shy around new company.” He finished in a low voice. Tor nodded in understanding.
“I noticed, but there is a reason for my visit beside paying respect.” He said purposefully. Quick Thrust turned to face him.
“Go right ahead.”
“I’m not sure if you remember a few weeks ago with all the chocolate rain and strange things that happened…?” he trailed off. Quick Thrust nodded.
“They told us that Discord had broken free and was causing problems but those pretty little mares from the centre of town finished him off.” Quick Thrust recalled. “I would love to know how they managed that one.”
“It’s very complicated but that turns into the problem that I’m bringing to you. Discord has escaped again and Ponyville might be in trouble.” At the mention of trouble Quick Thrust’s expression became protective. “Celestia had suggested that we set up a militia of sorts to watch the sides until this problem can be… fixed.” He finished.
“And? Is there a particular reason that you’re talking to this old beat up pegasus?” He asked instantly.
“After consulting the mayor with Twilight… Twilight Sparkle she took to the idea but then I mentioned my lack of experience leading ponies and she said that I should talk to you.” Tor answered. Quick Thrust took a moment to think.
“Are you expecting me lead this militia into battle?” He asked. Tor detected a hint of doubt in his voice.
“No, I would lead them into battle if it came to that. But you have experience leading that I don’t and that is something that we must have when training. Besides, I only know how to use a bow; Tag, my brother, was the only one out of the two of us who knew how to use close range weapons… even if it only was a knife.” Quick Thrust sighed then he squinted at Tor.
“A knife’s an assassin’s weapon.” He said in disgust. “I would certainly hope that he uses it honourably.”
“It’s not as though he much of a choice.” Tor said in a small outburst of anger, Quick Thrust didn’t react.
“I can see that you’re protective, a good thing to have as a leader. In regards to your brother, I trust that he would know better if he’s still alive.” He said ending on a dark note.
“Are you just assessing me?” Tor asked in disbelief. Quick Thrust shrugged slightly.
“Partially, if you’re going to learn from me I have to know what your skills are. Tell me more about the militia though.” He asked.
“Well… there isn’t that much of a plan… but we would start training to prepare for an attack. If it doesn’t happen then good, but if it does then we want to be ready.” Tor explained. Quick Thrust nodded.
“Well then I guess I’ll help out.” He agreed. Tor smiled gratefully.
“Thank you, it’s really important we have a pony everypony can trust. The mayor said that she would call for a town meeting at noon to announce the militia. Please be there if possible.” Tor instructed glancing at the clock; it was ten. Quick Thrust followed his gaze.
“I think I should get going then.” He mumbled and stood up. “Zoom! Town meeting at noon!” he called into the seemingly empty household. He made for the door. Tor followed.
“I’ll go on ahead to see if they need anything from me before the meeting.” He murmured to Quick Thrust. “It was nice meeting you sir.”
----
Tor looked at the town square; it certainly looked ready for a town meeting. A large stage was set up in front of the town hall decorated with a simple red white and blue banner and simple wooden podium, a few ponies milled about the square with nervous looks on their faces.
I guess that news about a militia wasn’t very well received. Silver noted as Tor trotted over to the stage. Tor nodded in agreement as he ascended the stairs, the mayor stood there looking silently out into the town.
“Is something wrong?” He asked as he trotted over to her.
“I never imagined that something like this would happen while I was mayor.” She sighed without looking away from the square. Tor stood there awkwardly for a moment.
“Do you know what you’re going say?” He wondered. The mayor nodded.
“I have to, asking the townsponies to fight is something that I must be prepared for and I believe that I have taken all of the necessary precautions.” Her voice was intense. Just then Twilight trotted onstage, she stood beside Tor.
“Meeting begins any minute now.” She said quickly; the small crowd had grown into a loud mass of milling ponies. The mayor took of her glasses and cleaned them absent-mindedly. With a weary sigh she trotted to the podium and cleared her throat. The townsponies calmed down at looked towards her expectantly. Tor shuddered.
I don’t think I could say a coherent sentence with that many ponies watching. He thought in a small voice.
You might have to. Silver said gravely. The mayor began to speak.
“Welcome everypony to the town meeting, I have some grave news to discuss with you all.” The crowd broke into a whispering noise and the mayor pounded her hoof until it died down. “Listen to what Twilight has to say, from Princess Celestia herself.” She stepped back and let Twilight up to the podium. Twilight began speaking immediately.
“Ponies of Ponyville, I returned from a quick trip to Canterlot last night but I couldn’t speak to the mayor but this morning we had a meeting, and have come to a conclusion, the town needs a militia to protect us!” Several cries of surprise came from the crowd but most were deadly quiet. Twilight continued speaking.
“With the help of Tor and Quick Thrust we have the basis but we need volunteers to train and be ready at all times.” She said pointing to Tor. Quick Thrust was nowhere to be found. “So raise hooves now if you want to volunteer!” Twilight shouted to the crowd, no hooves were raised.
“Where’s Quick Thrust?” Called a voice from the audience. Twilight looked back to Tor worriedly but he shrugged his shoulders. Then a heavy roar came from the sky. Tor reacted quickly by drawing Torais and pointing it in every direction trying to find where the voice had originated. A glint in the sky brought Tor’s attention to a gray dot in the sky. Tor began to pull back the string but Twilight jumped at him.
“Don’t!” She yelled as she landed on top of him.
“Why? We’re under attack!” Tor shouted back. The dot grew larger and Tor watched in dismay as it drew ever closer. It happened quickly, the dot hit the stage and a loud boom echoed around the town square, at the same time Tor threw himself upon Twilight trying to protect her, and then he heard a laugh.
“They don’t make ‘em like they used to.” Quick Thrust sighed. Tor stood dumbfounded looking at the pegasus; he was wearing thick gray plate armour that covered his entire body, firmly grasped in his jaw was a spear with a shaft reinforced with steel. He held the spear so it was pointed down at the stage, there was the tiniest hole in the wood. The town square was silent. “Can’t a stallion make a dramatic entrance once in awhile?” He called out to the crowd. The townsponies erupted in cheers.
Dear Celestia… Tor breathed.
And here I thought he was just a washed up pegasus. Silver agreed. Quick Thrust turned back to Twilight and the mayor.
“I believe you were saying something?” He asked. Twilight stood up slowly and trotted back to the podium.
“After that wonderful entrance do we have any volunteers?” She asked laughing lightly. Several hooves shoot up; Tor recognized Applejack and Rainbow Dash’s hooves. Quick Thrust trotted over to Tor.
“Did it make a difference?” He asked casually.
“Y-yes sir!” Tor stammered. Quick Thrust flashed him a slight smile.
“Are you surprised? All this talk about a beat up pegasus must have changed what you thought, I’m a long way from giving up the fight.” He said confidently. He turned back to Twilight.
“We need to set up a training day… how about every other day starting at eleven in the town square?” The ponies that had put up their hooves called out in agreement. Twilight turned back to the mayor and motioned for her to speak. The mayor trotted up to the podium as Twilight stepped down.
“That should wrap up the meeting nicely then, all the ponies who have volunteered please meet here in the town square tomorrow. That is all.” She stepped down and the crowd began to dissipate. Twilight stood next to Quick Thrust and Tor.
“I haven’t seen any armour like that in a long time.” She remarked looking at Quick Thrust’s armour. He flexed one of his hooves.
“I'm sure it's been awhile since anypony has seen armour belonging to the 1st Flying Spear Division.” He said looking at his armour too. Tor gave him a quizzical look.
“1st Flying Spear Division?” He asked curiously. Quick Thrust looked at him with an astonished look on his face.
“You haven’t heard of the 1st Flying Spear Division? We used to be the talk of the town, the ‘big colts’ even! We were who they called when they needed things done!” He said elatedly.
“I-I'm sorry sir!” Tor stammered. Quick Thrust shook his head.
"Sorry, got a little excited there." Tor looked over at Twilight.
“Twilight, did you see any members of the 1st Flying Spear Division when you were in Canterlot?” He asked trying to change the subject. Twilight shook her head.
“No, I haven’t even heard that much about them in recent news now that I think about it.” Twilight realized. Quick Trust’s face grew dark again.
“That’s because the Division was almost wiped out.” He muttered. Tor looked at him.
“Wiped out?” He asked disbelievingly. Quick Thrust nodded slowly.
“Being a veteran they told me. The 1st Flying Spear Division had been sent on a mission, I can’t tell you where because I’m not allowed to but what I can tell you is that of the original 200 members sent in barely more than ten survived.” He said sounding almost stone like. Tor and Twilight stood in complete silence.
How is that even possible? Tor asked.
This is all long after my time so I have no idea what he’s talking about. Silver mumbled. Quick Thrust looked up.
“They were in close quarters, no room for the Division to use the fall technique they teach you.” He explained sensing Tor’s confusion.
“Was that what it was?” Twilight asked.
“Yes, a technique that not a lot can do; you need the bone strength combined with the weight along with several other little things.” Quick Thrust explained showing them his muscled hooves. “It takes a lot out of the user though.” He added with a small chuckle.
“Was it really necessary for you to do that for the display though?” Tor asked. “You scared me.” Quick Thrust chuckled to himself again.
“How else were we supposed to get some ponies in this militia of yours?” He asked. Tor sighed.
“I guess… but still. Perhaps a little warning next time?”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
“You acted like you were to old for that sort of thing.” Tor mumbled. Quick Thrust’s eyes glinted.
“Deception.” He said in a low voice.
“Are you teaching me something?” Tor asked confusedly.
“Deception is an important part of outsmarting your enemies.” Quick Thrust answered. “Now I do believe that the sudden usage of my fall technique has tired me out and I need to rest. I shall retire for the day but I will be ready for tomorrows training day.” He said and started back in the direction of his house.
“I got a reply from Celestia, the weapons will be delivered tomorrow in time for the meeting.” Twilight said to him and trotted in the direction of the library. Tor stood in the now deserted town square for a moment.
Now what do I do? He asked.
Perhaps Applejack could use some help seeing as you took the day off work for her? Silver suggested.
Better than nothing I guess. Tor sighed and started towards Sweet Apple Acres.