Shadow stood at the Tranquility’s bow, his head resting on his front legs as he leaned on the temporarily repaired front as the ship plowed through the waves. In the distance, he could see the buildings of Manehattan slowly growing on the horizon. Behind him, he could hear the ship’s crew working, calling out to one another as Main Stay guided his ship, but the colt tried to ignore the noise behind him. Even though he felt fine and had felt so a few days after they had weighed anchor, despite his protests, the crew refused to let him participate in daily tasks. Oddly, the only pony on the ship who agreed with him was High Tide. As the second mate had told him a week after they had left the island: “This isn’t a cruise ship and it sure in Tartarus isn’t some pleasure yacht.”
Ignoring the spray kicked up as the ship dug into a wave, Shadow yawned. Like most of the crew, his dreams were occupied with screams and fire, but unlike the others, those weren’t the only things he had to deal with at night. The colt didn’t have to try hard to recall the images that had plagued him since he had woken up on the ship. Images of what might happen if he was caught by the solar tyrant or her army prowled his dreams, setting upon him when he least expected it. He didn’t hold any illusions about how he would never talk, never crack no matter what Celestia did to him. If she caught him, he knew that he’d talk before she could do anything to him, which made the growing knot in his chest tighten all the more as Equestria slowly grew on the horizon. He’d tell her anything and everything, leaving him broken as he betrayed his home and anypony he had ever known or loved. What the princess did with his information was beyond him but he didn’t have to imagine that it wouldn’t be anything good for his home.
Overhead, any pegasus that wasn’t doing something onboard was above the ship. Some simply kept pace with the Tranquility while some ducked and weaved with the wind, but the injured colt knew that despite the easy going, almost bored attitude of the ship’s flyers, they were all on alert for the creature, even though no pony had seen that thing since it attacked. Likewise, all of his clone ships had done the same. Turning his gaze back to the horizon, Shadow squinted, noticing a small group of specks just above the horizon. As he watched, the specks slowly grew until they resolved themselves into the ship’s grey coated navigator and a trio of golden armored Royal Guards. Igniting his horn, Shadow pulsed the light shining from his horn, completing the only task that the captain would let him have. Main Stay had said something about this task being important but Shadow didn’t buy it. There were at least half a dozen unicorns on board who could have done it. The only reason he could think of for Main Stay having him do this was to let him think he was helping, while at the same time not giving him anything particularly hard or taxing.
Letting the signal blink for another few minutes, Shadow dowsed his horn before turning his back to the bow. Across the deck, anypony not working the sails was hard at work repairing what parts of the ship they could. Down below, he knew that a few crewmembers were inspecting the hull for new leaks which seemed to appear almost daily. If they spotted a leak, they’d patch it with a shield like the one he had used when the creature had attacked. Again, it had been High Tide who had been the one most willing to let Shadow teach the ship’s unicorns how to create that shield. The two ponies who outranked him along with Zetani had been against it until the unicorn stallion had bluntly told them, “knowing this spell might just save our lives next time, and if he’s willing to teach us” he pointed to Shadow “then I don’t see what the problem is.” They hadn’t been happy with the older unicorn but had finally relented when Shadow joined with him.
Taking a moment to stretch, the young alicorn made his way across the patchwork of repairs that covered the ship’s main deck, carefully avoiding the numerous holes and too thin looking boards. Climbing the stairs, Shadow saw Main Stay flash him a smile as he approached. “Feeling alright?”
Shadow yawned “Tired; didn’t sleep well last night.”
Nodding, Main Stay surveyed his crew “Seems like you’re not alone.”
“Hard to imagine why” Shadow unsuccessfully fought another yawn. “It doesn’t help that I’m not looking forward to what comes after we tie up.”
“You don’t have to leave, you know.” The ship’s master said, his eyes never leaving the ocean. “You could stay on board as part of the crew. I know that Sea Breeze wouldn’t mind. Neither would most of the crew.”
Shadow couldn’t deny that the captain’s offer wasn’t tempting. Taking it would mean that he’d always be on the move, never in one place long enough for Celestia to find him. Yet, as much as he was tempted to accept it, the colt knew he couldn’t. He’d be on a small ship, constantly worried that the crew would learn his secret. While Sea Breeze and Zetani knew about it and had accepted it, Shadow didn’t know enough about the rest of the crew to be at ease. On top of that, repairs would take several months, which was too much time spent in one place for Shadow’s taste. While Main Stay, among others, had assured him that nearly everything he had heard about Celestia wasn’t true, the colt couldn’t risk it. While he knew the crew believed what they said, they had been raised in Equestria and would likely believe anything they were told about the solar tyrant. Sighing, Shadow shook his head. “I can’t.”
Main Stay’s shoulders slumped at this. “It’s a shame, but I can understand why” He looked up as Star Chart and his companions made their final approach “But it’s a standing offer, so if you ever change your mind, just come to Manehattan and wait for us.”
“Thanks.” The young colt replied as he lay down against the stern railing.
“Anytime” Before the stallion could say anything else, Star Chart landed next to the captain while the three armored pegasi landed as one. Gesturing to the helm, Main Stay let the navigator relieve him before greeting the armored pegasi. Watching from where he lay, Shadow could see the three larger ponies sneaking glances at him and the bandages that covered most of his body. Suddenly feeling self-conscious, Shadow wanted to leave but decided to bear it and ignore them. Closing his eyes, he pretended to try and sleep, and within moments, was.
Opening his eyes, the first thing Shadow noticed was how the sun had noticeably moved from where it had been earlier, now solidly hanging in the western sky. Slowly getting to his hooves, the next sight took Shadow’s breath away as he stared at the unimaginably tall buildings of glass and metal that loomed over the harbor and swallowed the sky line. Tearing his eyes away from the buildings, while his mind was still trying to process what he had just seen and the myriad of questions that had arisen, he noticed that there were a number of other ships in the harbor as well. Some were all wooden or had metal parts like the Tranquility. Others though, were clearly all metal and somehow glided across the water without the use of any sails. On all of these ships, the ponies on board stopped to stare as the Tranquility limped past, the damage from its battle fresh and visible for the world to see. On one of the metal, sail-less ships, a number of ponies pulled out cameras and started taking pictures, the flashes dazzling Shadow, leaving him to see spots after he blinked. At the helm, Main Stay guided his ship in, objectively ignoring the gawking ponies and the lone Guard next to him. Looking off the back of the ship, he could see the fleet of clone ships riding the waves outside the harbor “Captain?”
Main Stay looked behind him; he looked at Shadow, then the other Tranquilities “Can you get rid of them?”
Smirking, Shadow’s horn glowed for a moment before the fleet shimmered into nothingness seconds later. The wide eyed, opened mouthed gape on the pegasus Guard’s face, along with Main Stay’s smile was priceless to Shadow. Remembering where he was, Shadow silently excused himself. Ducking into the stairwell, the colt trotted down the steps, running into the first mate at the bottom. “How are you feeling?”
Shadow sighed at the one question he had gotten sick of hearing the first day after sailing from the island “Overwhelmed.”
“Heh, Manehattan has that effect on the unprepared. What brings you down here?”
“Needed someplace to think.”
“About how to sneak off the ship?” Shadow looked up in surprise at the mare’s question. For her part, she simply smiled. “Don’t be so surprised. I’ve known your feelings about coming here for a while and Main Stay filled me in on some of the details.”
“Yeah; preferably without the Royal Guards knowing.”
Sea Breeze considered the colt’s situation. Slowly smiling, she nudged Shadow into the crew quarters. “Stay here for a moment, I got an idea.” Without another word, she trotted up the steps. Frowning, Shadow walked to his hammock, his horn already glowing as he opened the chest beneath his bed. Checking the contents of his saddlebags, even though he knew that everything was there, it took him a moment to strap the bags around himself, and several more moments to get reacquainted with their feel and weight. Turning his head at the sound of hooves on the stairs, the first mate came trotting over to him. “Open your bags; quick.” Arching an eyebrow at the order, he nevertheless ignited his horn, unlocking the nearest bag. Scrunching his nose at the stench that greeted them, Shadow removed the bag’s rotting contents. “Don’t worry about it.” Sea Breeze said, tossing the small bags she had into the larger open bag. “Here’s your money. Seeing how you nearly got killed defending this ship, I thought a refund was in order.” Shadow started to open his mouth, but the mare cut him off. “I threw in some food as well, but don’t think that this makes us even. We still owe you for saving all our lives.”
Tilting her head, Shadow followed the mare into the ship’s hold. Sloshing through water that reached his fetlocks, the colt finally began to appreciate how lucky he was to still be alive. The walls of the hold were covered in a staggering number of glowing shields and hastily hammered in patches. Stopping for a moment, Shadow called upon his impromptu spell to patch a new leak. Turning back to the first mate, he found the mare standing next to an empty crate that the young colt was more familiar with than he cared to admit. “The only way to get you off without anypony noticing is if nopony sees you get off.” Seeing his face, the mare smiled. “Don’t worry you won’t be in there for long.” Overhead, the two magic users could hear Main Stay call out as the Tranquility pulled into port. Groaning, Shadow crawled into the wooden box, the cover sealing him in as soon as his head was clear.
With a few deft moves, Sea Breeze secured the crate’s cover with a hoof-full of nails and a hammer that lay nearby. Gently picking up the box with her magic, the Tranquility’s First Mate grabbed a pair of sealed crates as she walked out of the hold and onto the main deck with the crates in tow. On deck, the crew was racing around as their ship slowed to a halt. Along the wharf, a group of longshoremares grabbed the ropes tossed from the ship, wrapping them around the bollards along the dock. Overhead, the canvas sails were pulled up and secured. Not waiting for anypony’s permission, the mare trotted down the gangplank as soon as it was secured in place.
Before she could set hoof on wet concrete, Sea Breeze came to a halt as she found her path blocked by a group of armored unicorns and earth ponies. “I’m sorry ma’am, but we need everypony to stay aboard until we’ve collected everypony’s statement.”
Sorry my flank Sea Breeze thought as she frowned at the larger maroon pony. “Look” She squinted at the stallion’s chest, “Captain, let me be clear. Unlike the guard, we don’t make money by sitting on our plots all day or by harassing innocent ponies when we get bored.” She had to force herself not to smile as a frown crossed the lead guard’s face. “Every day we’re in port costs us bits. Now, I got a crate of Gryphon Blood Melons that have to get to their buyer now, before the spells on the crate expire and they start to rot. Have you ever smelled a rotting Blood Melon?”
“Uh…”
“Didn’t think so; you don’t ever forget something that foul. We’re two weeks late because of the damage and if I don’t get these off now, the buyer won’t take them. I’ll lose bits and will have a crate full of rotting melons to dispose of. Guess who I’ll think of first?” She let the unstated threat sink in “Good luck explaining the stench to your commander, or getting rid of it. Now, let me make this simple: either step aside or I hope you can swim in your armor.” Narrowing her eyes, she glared at the armored earth pony.
Sighing, the stallion stepped aside “Corporal, help carry the mare’s things and escort her back.”
“I don’t need any help, unless the corporal has experience telling parents that their child was eaten by a fucking monster.”
“Just come back when you’re done” the stallion said in exasperation.
“Don’t worry, this is my home.” Sea Breeze sniped back as she trotted off alone. As soon as she was out of sight, the mare released an audible sigh of relief. “Thank Celestia; that was close.” She heard an impressed whistle from above.
“Thanks” Shadow said. “What’s a Gryphon Blood Melon?”
“Damned if I know” The mare muttered to the nearby crate as she waited to cross the busy street. “Word of advice kid, if you have to bluff, don’t be halfhearted about it.”
“Where are we going?”
“I’ll drop you off in an alley a few blocks from here” The mare said quietly as city ponies walked by her. Crossing the street, Sea Breeze let her legs do the walking as she had no idea where exactly she was going. Ten minutes and several blocks later, she turned down an alley darkened by the nearby buildings’ long shadows. Setting his crate down, it only took a second for the mare to rip off the crate’s cover. Staring at the young alicorn as he stepped out, the lone mare tried to think of something to say. Setting the other two crates down, Sea Breeze wrapped the young colt in a hug. “Thank you.”
Shadow didn’t know what to say as he returned the hug. “Could you tell everypony goodbye for me and that I’m sorry I couldn’t do it myself?” Feeling the mare nod, Shadow couldn’t help but tighten his grip. “Thanks.”
Letting her grip slowly relax, the mare nodded to a nearby alley that connected to theirs “You need to get going if you want to find someplace to sleep tonight.” Wiping away a few rebellious tears, Shadow silently nodded; turning and walking down one of the connecting alleys. Waiting until he had turned the corner and was out of sight, Sea Breeze sat down, a couple tears crawling down her face. Slowly getting to her hooves a couple minutes later, the mare gazed at the empty crate before her. With her horn glowing, she gently picked up the two sealed crates and turned, leaving the empty crate behind, just in case he couldn’t find someplace to sleep that night. Beside her, the two crates hovered silently, stenciled names on the wood reminding her of what she had to do next. Unbidden yet not entirely unwelcome, she felt her eyes start to water again.
Shadow had to force himself to put one hoof in front of the other. Around him, ponies walked and trotted along the sidewalk, taking no notice of the young colt. This lack of attention, while welcomed by Shadow, also helped to increase the sense of loneliness that had planted itself in him when he had turned the corner. For the first time, he was truly alone, with nopony to rely on if he got in trouble. It took everything he had to not turn around right there and run straight for the Tranquility. He knew why he couldn’t go back, but knowing why didn’t make it any easier. On the Tranquility, the crew had taken him in, treating him like one of their own. Some even knew his greatest secret and had treated it like another minor oddity in a world full of them. He had felt welcomed, had felt like he finally belonged somewhere for the first time in his life. Shadow wasn’t sure if he had felt that sense of belonging outside of home before, but now found its lack almost painful.
Feeling tears threatening to spill, the disguised alicorn looked around, trying to distract himself with everything around him. Above him, buildings of stone, metal and glass towered over him, their shadows casting everything below in an early twilight. As he let himself walk, Shadow found his mind wandering at each new sight and smell. How could ships like he saw in the harbor float when metal sank in water? Were they wooden on the inside? How did they move when they didn’t have a mast to catch the wind? In the buildings around him, he could see ponies moving about. How could buildings get so big without collapsing from their own weight? How did they light the insides? He couldn’t see any candles, but he didn’t rule them out. If they used candles, whoever made them must be rich.
Stopping for a moment at the mouth of an alley, Shadow paused to let himself take everything in. Nothing like this had ever been mentioned in school, never hinted at. How could ponies achieve such heights, literally in some cases, and yet the whole world didn’t know? Twisting his neck as it threatened to cramp, the colt felt his stomach grumble. Sighing, Shadow joined a group of ponies standing at an intersection. On the street, carts and carriages passed by at a speed the young orphan couldn’t understand. What was the rush? Overhead, pegasi flew between the buildings, some pulling airborne carts while the less burdened fliers simply flew over or under the slow moving obstacles. Pegasi he could understand being in a rush, since his sister could never seem to sit still for five seconds, but everypony else? It seemed like everypony had someplace to be and that they were going to be late.
Following the group of waiting ponies across the street, Shadow silently wished he could fly. He had no idea where he was and no clue where he was going. If he could just get in the air, then he could be out of this city. While his wings hadn’t been injured in the attack, he kept them in their hidden pockets. He couldn’t afford to show the world his secret, especially in a city where Celestia had who knows how many eyes watching. Seeing the sun slowly setting between two buildings, the colt turned a corner, putting the ball of light behind him.
Hours passed as Shadow slowly made his way out of the city. Overhead, the stars of his Queen were barely visible. Feeling his gut protest the lack of anything to eat since that morning, the lone colt looked around. He had left the confines of the oversized buildings hours earlier and now found himself surrounded by homes. Through the windows, he could see ponies eating, parents playing with their children. Crossing a quiet street, Shadow paused. Instead of more houses, the fenced in area before him was covered in grass, with a number of trees planted throughout the area. Walking through the open entrance, he could see a playground on the other side while a couple paths cut through the well-tended grass.
Like I got any better options? Feeling his gut protest again, Shadow silently made his way to the playground. It wasn’t a particularly big playground. He had seen bigger in Dragon’s Bay, but he didn’t care. What he cared about most was a short tunnel-like structure next to the slide. Climbing a small set of stairs, the colt looked at the tunnel. It wasn’t a large tunnel, but it was big enough. Igniting his horn, Shadow dropped his saddlebags before opening the bag that Sea Breeze had had him open earlier. Next to the small bag of coins, was a larger bag. Pulling it out, the colt opened it, the sight of fresh fruit and vegetables greeting him. Setting an apple and some carrots aside before putting the bag of food back, the lone alicorn crawled into the tunnel. It was barely longer than he was, but so long as it kept him dry and out of sight, he didn’t care.
Slowly munching on his dinner, the colt stared out at the city in the distance. The buildings that had left him speechless were ablaze with light, as if nopony ever bothered to sleep. Spitting out a couple seeds, the young orphan got as comfortable as he could. Beyond the lights of the city, Shadow saw the sky light up as a bolt of lightning illuminated the previously invisible clouds. Great the colt thought as the sky over the ocean came to life. Setting one of his saddlebags under his head, the colt curled up a little tighter. At least I won’t have to worry about anypony seeing me tonight.