Tag’s eyes flashed open; he looked around quickly hoping that he wasn’t where he thought he was. He realized that he was in his hammock and sighed.
I never want to go back there again. He thought quietly.
Antediluvian was different. Book agreed. And very powerful, makes me wonder what he’s doing here on a pirate ship. Tag rolled out of the hammock and trotted above deck. The crewponies were doing their chores, but unlike before there was silence; Tag felt like he was on a different ship entirely.
I think I’ll go check on McCutchen. Tag decided.
Good idea, I hope he’s feeling a little better. Book added. Tag trotted toward the door that led to the captain’s quarters but stopped.
Didn’t Lop say that I should come find either him or Pilot? He wondered.
I forgot about that. Let’s go find Pilot, I’m sure he’s at the wheel. Tag steered himself towards the wheel, sure enough Pilot stood there keeping an eye around on the open sea.
“Hey…” Tag mumbled quietly, Pilot turned to him with a surprised look on his face.
“You’re up!” He exclaimed. “When we found you outside Antediluvian’s room we were worried to say the least.” Tag rubbed the back of his head with a hoof.
“Sorry about that… how long was I out?” He asked.
“Almost two hours.” Pilot said taking another quick scan of the horizon. “Let’s go find Lop, then we can discuss plans.”
----
Lop had been working with the others rowing oars, Tag and Pilot grabbed him and now they sat in the small office above the captains quarters.
“Shouldn’t we get the Captain?” Tag asked. Pilot shook his head.
“No, he’s still resting. It’s strange, I’ve never seen him like this before.” He observed. “It takes a lot to get the Captain down and even then it doesn’t last this long.”
“Brook said that we just need to give him some time.” Lop added. “We’ll fill him in when he’s feeling better.”
“Right, I guess I should ask you what happened over the last two hours.” Tag said quietly.
“Nothing, we’re just keeping an eye out for either Heaven’s End or the mainland, we’ll dock there and figure out the next step.” Pilot explained. “What we need to know now is what happened in Antediluvian’s room.”
“Have you ever been in there?” Tag asked; Pilot shook his head. “Okay then, the entire room was green with mold and he was there in the middle of it. He’s this giant pile of… whatever he is with this weird fish-like head that constantly sucks in air.” Tag explained shivering slightly at the memory of it. “But he left me with this prophecy: Beware the one I thought was dead. Beware the shadow that hides in shadows. Beware those you thought you could trust, and those you can’t. And to remember… the brightest sun tells the darkest lies.” There was silence. Lop stamped his hoof on the floor in frustration.
“That didn’t help!” He said loudly. Tag shrugged.
“Well then why do you think McCutchen wanted me to see him?” He asked. Pilot put his hoof to his chin.
“Maybe-“
“I can hear you perfectly fine you know.” Came McCutchen’s quiet voice from down the stairs. Lop and Pilot looked down towards the captain’s quarters slightly embarrassed. “Perhaps you could come down here and tell me the news?” All three stallions stood up and trotted down the stairs slowly. The window in the captain’s quarters was a big as Tag remembered watching out silently at the sea. McCutchen was off to one side sitting peacefully with Brook, he looked like was felling better compared to before.
“How are you feeling?” Lop asked. McCutchen motioned for them to join him.
“I’m feeling much better, thank you.” He said. “ But just because I was… ill doesn’t mean I don’t want to be updated. I believe you were discussing a prophecy?” Tag nodded.
“He said to beware the one I thought was dead. Beware the shadow that hides in shadows. Beware those you thought you could trust and those you can’t. And to remember that the brightest son tells the darkest lies.” Tag summed. McCutchen smiled thinly.
“That sounds like something he would say.” He said. “Can’t understand until it’s too late, right?”
“Unfortunately.” Tag agreed. “But you heard the question from upstairs; why did you send me to him?” McCutchen’s small smile disappeared then.
“It’s a very long story, my story.”
"When I was younger, I was of course a foolish stallion. Nothing much different about me, and that was what annoyed me. I had this misguided dream that there was something big awaiting me and I was dying to know what it was. That was what led me to a fortuneteller. She was traveling with a caravan that would be leaving town and after a small amount of convincing myself I finally decided to do it. I recall that she took my hoof and examined it, running her eyes over every little cut, scrape and callus. She was surprised but said nothing until she was done reading, she told me my future: I would be a great leader, a great friend; I would fall in love with which no one suspected… I would also play a large part in Equestria’s fate and salvation.
After that not much happened until I became first mate on the Pearl of the Sea captained by Antediluvian. Back then he was a different kind of creature, what they called an intergaseousmusitationist, which are a lot like earthponies except that their tails are made of thick skin, and they’re physically weaker. I was with him for a long time before we found a strange island, Antediluvian went with a party of five other ponies… only he came back. There was something wrong with him but we couldn’t find out what it was. One morning I went to check on him but he was gone, his cot was empty without a trace of him anywhere. We sailed back to the mainland where I was formally sworn in as Captain. As I sat in my new quarters, these quarters, I heard something on the ship; nopony else had heard it so I decided to investigate. What I found was what you saw in Antediluvian’s room, Antediluvian. Apparently he had been cursed on that strange island and the curse had killed him in his other form. But apparently there was unknown force watching him and transformed him into that… thing. He told me that he had relived the entire history of Equestria in that form. He also that until this ship is destroyed he was bound here. After seeing the past of Equestria he has known the future upon countless centuries of reflection. Now he gives me advice when I need it and warns me if something bad would happen. I was called by him in the middle of the night a week ago and he told me that power would start to fall and give a piece of itself to me to guide, he also told me to bring this piece of power to him when I was in trouble. After hearing that the Royal Family was in trouble I realized that they are the power and that you are the piece, and this realization of being lost at sea is more than enough trouble.” McCutchen explained. All three stallions stared at him wordlessly.
“That is quite the story.” Tag mused. Lop and Pilot nodded in agreement. McCutchen continued.
“I was hoping that he would say something that would help our current situation but I don’t think that anything he said is related to us being lost. Now all we can do is press on and hope we find something soon.” Pilot looked out the window angrily, but stopped staring straight out into the sea.
“Captain, what’s happening to the sea?” All the ponies looked out, the sea was starting to turn a strange colour; it flashed from deep blue to light brown dodging between the two colours until it was entirely brown. Everypony in the cabin watched blankly, not knowing what to say until McCutchen looked back to the rest of them.
“Up on deck, now.”
----
Tor was on his way to Sweet Apple Acres to start his first full shift since his return from Canterlot. Despite desperately wanting to go he couldn’t help but feel slightly nervous.
What’s there to be nervous about? Silver asked.
I just hope my leg stays strong for this. Tor sighed.
Didn’t Fluttershy say that you would be good to go today?
Yeah but… I still get the occasional twitch. Tor explained casting a quick glance back at his flank; the skin had healed and the fur had grown back but he couldn’t help but wonder if he was ready. Then, out of the corner of his eyes he saw something strange, a black spot in the distance. What’s that? He asked.
Maybe you should get closer and check? Silver suggested. Tor started to creep toward the black spot slowly; there was something off about the entire sight unfolding; there were many black shapes that milled about in a clearing, then Tor remembered.
Those are the shadows! He thought fearfully.
From your memories?! Silver asked disbelievingly. Tor nodded and hid in a bush.
What are they doing here? He asked.
How would I know? But you need to warn somepony before they do something, because I guarantee you that it’s not good! Silver said. Tor crept away from the dark assembly and started a small jog toward Sweet Apple Acres.
I have to warn Applejack!