Spark Storm watched from the rear of the ship as Equestria became smaller and smaller. The trip to the sea itself had taken a week by royal carriage. For some reason, Celestia had wanted them to go by land. Something about Pegasus spies.
It was going to be a long boat ride. Three weeks on the sea. This had surprised Spark Storm. He had no idea the world was so big!
As he was running along the narrow walkway towards the front to see what they were heading into, he nearly ran into Twilight Sparkle. He skidded to a halt on the metal, nearly causing the two to bump noses.
An angry blush on her face, she pushed past him on her way to the back of the ship.
"Honestly, Storm, control your excitement. We're going to be on this ship for a long time. I'd rather not spend it..." she paused, blushing a little harder, "A-almost running into you, Geez..."
Spark rolled his eyes and made his way to the front deck. The ship itself was the size of a small luxury cruiser, large enough to let them all live comfortably on it for the duration of their voyage.
Lazing about in the sun was Princess Cadence, wearing a large sunhat that covered her head and a good portion of her body. She was wearing sunglasses, and had one of those drinks with a little umbrella in it.
Spark noted Twilight's brother seemed to be serving her. He decided to keep his comments and his thoughts to himself. He would not learn to swim today, thank you very much.
Also on the front deck was the pony he was looking for, Emerald Skies. There was so much he wanted to know, so many questions. There was certainly time to kill, he might as well.
Spark walked to the railing where Emerald was watching the glittering sea, and nudged him to get his attention.
"So, two eggheads, one boat, for three weeks. How's that gonna pan out?"
Emerald said nothing, but he had an amused grin as he continued to look out on the water.
After a moment, Emerald turned to him, a bright, inquisitive look on his face, and Spark knew he'd dropped the ball on asking questions first.
"So how did you become one of the Princess' very trusted royal guards, Spark Storm?"
Spark snorted and stared out at the sea. "You remember the Ursa incident last year? Well...I've been doing that kind of thing ever since."
Spark noticed the look on Emerald's face and laughed. "No, I haven't been fighting things that big, but...Emerald, you probably don't know that Ponyville and Canterlot itself is constantly surrounded by monsters. The only thing keeping you and the other ponies ignorant of the constant danger are ponies like those on my team."
Emerald was quiet for a moment, then spoke. "Spark, Filthy Rich overthrew his father. He was outed by his own company. Filthy Rich told the whole village what really happened."
Spark Storm frowned and looked away. It's not like it really mattered. The ponies in Ponyville only saw a monster capable of great damage. Even if they didn't think he caused the fire that killed his mother, he was still strong enough to scare off an Ursa Minor.
"...That's great, Emerald...it didn't really change things though, did it?"
Emerald shook his head sadly. "No. Not really. There was a voting council at town hall, but..." He paused, then gave Spark a hopeful smile.
"Everyone in our age group voted for you, Spark. There wasn't a single 'no' vote from anyone under fifteen."
Spark smiled a little bit. He already knew he had the support of all his friends. They must've spread the word when voting time came. Still, the elders...even if the town had been liberated from Silver Bits' control, they were all still afraid of him. Oh well.
"It's all right, Emerald. I don't think I would go back to live in Ponyville if I could, now. Too many memories."
Emerald nodded in understanding and rested a hoof on Spark's shoulder, then looked out to sea as both stood in companionable silence.
That night, after the group had had their dinner, Spark Storm laid out on the bow of the ship. The moon was out nearly full tonight, and it shone brightly on the ocean below, casting a thousand reflections. It was one of the most beautiful sights that he'd ever seen.
He'd been sitting out, watching the night sky for at least an hour when he was joined by Lemon Pop. She plopped right down next to him and gave him a friendly smile.
"Hey, Sparky. Whatcha doin'?"
"Oh hey, Lemon. Just thinking." He was silent for a moment until he remembered something from earlier at the castle.
"Um...I was actually wondering about something, Lemon." Lemon Pop smiled and tilted an ear, indicating she was listening.
"Is your father a Fighter, like us?" Lemon's face suddenly did something Spark didn't think was possible. She frowned.
She was silent for a moment before continuing. She gazed out at sea, and spoke quietly. "He was. A while ago. He died when I was seven...he was on the job somewhere around Ponyville, I guess."
Spark stared at her. He knew it. The Pegasus that had saved his and Fluttershy's life that day years and years ago. When Spark had seen Lemon Pop for the first time, he knew they must have been related. And that name. What was it? Pop Rocks? His heart grew heavy as he thought about what he would say to Lemon Pop next.
"You know, I was there." He said. Lemon Pop looked at him with an unreadable expression on her face.
"I met your father. His name was Pop Rocks, right?"
The look in Lemon's face told him it was. She stared at him with tears falling from her eyes. "You...you saw my daddy?" She said, barely holding back a sob. "Braham...Braham said that there were some kids that he rescued that day..."
Spark felt his heart tighten more and more as this conversation deepened. Braham had been there?
"Yeah..." He sighed, looking down at his hooves before he continued. "That was me and my friends."
Lemon Pop lowered her head into her forelegs and sighed. She hated feeling this way so much. She sobbed quietly.
After a few moments of respectful silence, Spark reached out and smoothed out Lemon's yellow mane.
"...Was it the Shadow Breed, Lemon? That's the one I saw before your dad made us leave the forest."
Lemon Pop sniffled softly, then looked up at Spark Storm with a light shake of her head.
"No, it was Timberwolves. They ambushed him on the way home." She watched the expression on his face. A look of understanding came between them, and they smiled happily before embracing each other. Spark Storm hadn't been indirectly responsible for Pop Rock's death.
Lemon Pop and Spark Storm stayed up late that night, swapping stories of their personal adventures. Spark told her of his trip to Ponyville, and then of meeting Orea and their Changeling encounters. Lemon told him of her training under Turbid Serocity, and how Sapphire Snow was doing.
Sapphire had been training to be the eventual leader of the Fighters. Her tenacity, courage and dedication was second to none among the Fighters.
Lemon told him how Sapphire missed him, talked about him constantly, even cried at night sometimes while drawing in her sketchbook. Spark Storm's heart tightened when he heard this.
Finally, the two made their way to Lemon's room. She gave him a final, tight hug before reatreating inside for the night. Spark sighed and trudged back to the bow of the ship. Despite all the good things he'd heard and talked about tonight with Lemon and Emerald, he honestly didn't think he'd be sleeping much tonight.