Dragon of the Depths
The Next Morning
The youngsters had a surprisingly good sleep despite being on a pirate ship, they all had gathered in one of the interconnected rooms they had being given to discuss their options.
The rooms were rather comfortable, if a bit spartan. They all had a bed that could fit two, a bedside table on each side, a large chest at the foot of the bed, a crate with hammocks next to the door out, and to their surprise, a connected bathroom complete with two sinks, a working toilet, and a working shower. Curious, Vapor had tried one of the showers last night and was quite surprised when she got both hot and cold water.
The Dragon of the Depths had functional plumping, who knew. The way the rooms were laid out reminded them of train cars with what seemed to be akin to a living room, with couches and tables in the center of two room sections. The youngsters figured these were possibly guest rooms.
Though the thought seemed a bit... out there?
At the moment they were in the living room, State had read over the contract Razor gave them several times with Ocellus and Vellum both last night and the morning looking for any ways out of it should they sign it, and had found nothing, the contract was airtight.
State send it down then looked at the others.
"We've looked over it enough to memorize it and nothing, no loop holes, no easy ways out, nothing."
They had all talked before bed and were a bit divided, some of them wanted to sign up, others wanted to go to Imperator's Grave, while the others were on the fence. Silver had earlier given them some books about the Sea of Legends to help with their decision, which Ocellus had read.
"Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm not sure about either choice." Smolder said.
"Personally, I'd just sign up." Angel said, Vapor nodded her agreement.
They talked about it until Silver knocked and told them they would be meeting with the supply ship is ten minutes. After he had left Angel addressed the group.
"Well, we only have ten more minutes, let's make a decision, let's just hope what we pick wouldn't come back to bite us on the tails. Those in favor of signing up, raise a limb."
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Ten Minutes Later
Razor watched as the supply ship, a large, modified bulk cargo ship, pulled up beside the Dragon. Ramps from both ships lowered and connected, allowing the crew to transfer the supplies. Silver came up with the youngsters in tow, they walked up to Razor who turned to them as they approached.
"Well youngsters, have you made your choice?"
Angel walked forward, she would be their speaker.
"Yes we have, we gave it a lot of though and talk, we've decided..."
She paused to draw in a breath, trying to relax.
"To sign up. As much as we would like to get back to our friends, we looked through the books Silver gave us and we think we would be safer with you."
The other made sounds of agreement, some a bit more reluctant.
Razor tilted his head, not convinced.
"I don't mean to sound rude, but I can tell some of you are more reluctant, and as I said before, I wouldn't force you to sign up."
"We know, but after everything, we did figure it would be safer with one who knew these waters. And we really don't what to risk ending up in the hooves of Caribou." She shuddered, joined by the others.
Razor straightened his head.
"Are you sure this is you final choice? You can still change your mind if you want to now, I won't stop you."
The youngsters looked at each other, nodded their heads, pulled out the contract, and signed it. Immediately after the last one signed they and Razor felt magic flow throughout their bodies, the youngsters were now part of the crew and Razor would keep his word on returning them home.
"Ahhhh... I hate that feeling." Razor shook his body trying to get rid of the the feeling, the youngsters doing the same. Razor then took back the contract.
"Well, that wasn't pleasant." Patty Peppermint said.
"Aye, I haven't been able to fix that."
Razor shook his head.
"Anyway, welcome to the crew, I've have some of the Officers show you the ropes."
Silversteam raised a claw.
"Question?"
"Yes Silversteam?"
"What do you mean by show us the ropes? there's plently all around us."
"Yona confused to."
Razor chuckled.
"No, it means to teach or explain to someone the customary ways of doing something."
"Ohhh... We get it now."
After Razor had gathered some officers and the youngsters began their training, the transfer of supplies was complete and the Dragon continued on her course to Blackcap Peaks.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Later that day
The youngsters had gathered in the main tavern as the crew had called it for supper. They all were sitting around a table talking about what they had been up to since they signed up. The only ones not there were Angel and Vapor.
"I have to say, working on board has been a bit easier then I first thought." End Zone said taking a drink.
"Well the steam donkeys do make working with the rigging easier." Steam said.
It was true, the main deck had steam donkeys placed were they would be most useful.
"And the crew has been friendly to us." Ocellus said.
"That's made things a lot easier on us." Stage Tales said.
They talked about what had happened through out the day, the foals had stayed mostly out of the way though Applebloom helped a little with the work on the galleon. The rest of the foals spend the day playing with Silver, who was happy to have some playmates. Gallus and the Pegasi worked up in the sails, the others did various jobs around the ship.
As they talked Sandbar took a look around, the crew were all eating, talking, drinking, and just have a good time. He turned to look at the other.
"It's funny, these guys are pirates, yet they treat us like crew mates even though we just signed up today."
"And it's genuine too." Ocellus added.
"That's because even through you've only signed up today, the crew has taken a liking to ya."
The youngsters turned at the voice, Fire Gem was standing next to them.
"How long have you been standing there Fire Gem?" Apple Betty asked.
"Long enough to hear the tail end of Sandbar's sentence, the reason I'm over here is I want to get to know our newest crew mates."
"You know we're only here for this voyage right." Patty said.
"Doesn't mean I can't get to know you. Besides, this voyage could be a long one." He gestured to an empty spot next to Raspberry, "Mind if I sit with you?"
After they answered that they didn't mind, Fire Gem sat down. After a few minutes, Popsicle said.
"Fire Gem, if you don't mind me asking, how did someone like you end up here on a pirate ship?"
"I was wondering about that too, you seem like someone from high-class." November said
"To answer that, let me tell you a bit of my story."
Everyone leaned forward.
"To be honest, I am from a very wealthy family, but I grew tired of the "stagnant life" so, after I arrived at Imperator's Grave, I was in the tavern when a bar fight broke out. It lasted for awhile but I held myself well thanks to the training my dad gave me, after the fight ended a Kirin approached me and we struck up a conversation. We talked for a time and he made me an offer; I join his crew and I would get the life I had wanted. With nothing to lose I signed up and became the Outcast's Fleet Warrant Admiral and got the life I wanted. That's how I meet Razor Tail"
Fire Gem then looked at the table with a bit of a scowl.
"It wasn't just the stagnant life that caused me to want a life like this."
Confused by the sudden change, Golden asked, "What else was it?"
He let out a heavy sign.
"Before I answer that, know that my parents are very loving and supportive to me, so don't get the wrong idea. My parents, both Unicorns, were not home very much do to several factors, such as having to attend Noble parties and whatnot. When they were home they tried to send every free second with me which unfortunately wasn't much. This left me in the care of the servants who weren't that bad, they at the very least tried to be friends with me, which I did appreciate greatly, but there was this one plot-hole, please pardon my language, that was my parents adviser. I hated his guts, he was very insistent on teaching me the "proper" way to do things, I wouldn't go too deep into that because I'd be beating old wounds. In short; he firmly believed that there should be rules for absolutely everything."
Summer facehoofed, "One of those! Now I get why, my sister and I had to deal with that type before and that's the reason we moved to Ponyville."
Mulberry just faceplanted the table with a groan.
"How bad are those types?" Vellum asked.
"Everything must be done this way, and by this way I mean my way sort of bad." Fire Gem said.
"That includes going to the bathroom!" Mulberry said.
Summer double facehoofed. "You have no idea how embarrassing it trying to do you business with one of those looking over your shoulder."
"It once got so bad that Summer blasted one through multiple walls."
"I regret nothing."
"With me, after I had enough, burned his mane and tail off, gave a good kick to his hind legs, told him were he could stick his "proper ways", told him he had to tell my parents why I wasn't here when they came back, grabbed my things and just walked out the door without looking back."
"How did that go?" Smolder asked.
"My parents were really peeved at him and throw him out of the house, from a two story window."
"How did you parents take to you joining up with Razor?" Sandbar asked.
"Well it went like this..."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Flashback
Several Years ago
I was the newest Officer in the then small Outcast's, after Atlas, Snowheart, and Apollo. We were docked at Imperator's Grave and were checking over our cargo being loaded into Razor's ship before this beast when...
Fire Gem checked off the last rum crate as Razor walked up to him.
"How's it coming Fire Gem?"
"So far so good, just need to finish the last bit here and we'll be good to set sail."
"Good, finish up and we'll set..." He stopped when he saw a pair of Unicorns coming towards them quickly.
"You know them Fire Gem?"
Said Dracony turned around, only for his eyes to widen.
"Yes I know them."
The Mare with golden coat, purple mane and eyes looked around til her eyes meet Fire Gem's, she smiled wide with relief and elbowed the silver coated, red maned and eyes Stallion who also smiled with relief. The two ran towards them, Razor turned to Fire Gem.
"Who are they? They seem really happy to see you."
"They're my parents."
"Oh... I see." Razor took a few steps back.
The two unicorns stopped in front of the Dracony, the Mare reached forward and cupped her hoof against his cheek.
"Fire Gem, we've spent a lot of time looking for you." She said with a firm but happy tone.
The Stallion stepped forward.
"Son, you had us very worried when we could find you. Two years son, two years you had us worried sick." He said firmly.
Fire Gem didn't say anything, he couldn't.
His father looked up at Razor, sizing the tall Kirin up.
"You the one who's been looking after our son?"
"That would be me sir, and as long as Fire Gem is a member of my crew he I will continue to do so."
The Stallion stared at Razor for a minute, them a smile slowly spread across his face.
"Thank you."
Fire Gem was wrapped in a hug with his mother.
"Mom, I..."
"Two years, TWO YEARS, you leave without a word, do you have any idea how worried we were Fire Gem. We thought you had died!"
She tightened the hug.
"Don't you ever scare us like that again!"
She further tightened the hug, unaware the Fire Gem was turning blue.
"I'm so glad you okay."
"Ma... choking, not breathing."
"OH!"
She let go and Fire Gem gasped for breath. His mother had a hoof over her mouth.
"Oops... sorry son." She squeaked quietly.
"It's alright mom." He said after caught his breath. He then looked at his parents, his ears back.
"I take it you're here to disown me..." He said sadly.
Both his parents recoiled in shock, eyes wide in shock.
"WHAT???!!!" They both shouted. Fire Gem rubbed his foreleg.
"I did walk out and signed up on a pirate crew."
His mother grabbed his shoulders hard, scaring the hay out of him.
"Fire Gem, We would NEVER disown you!"
His father laid a hoof over Fire Gem's back.
"Son, we knew long ago that the life we live wasn't for you. True be told, when we came back after you left we were planning on telling you it was time to go out and find your calling. Besides, we had wanted to get rid of that "adviser" for years, you leaving finally giving the reason."
The mother spoke next.
"Fire Gem, We don't care that you left to find the life you want or that you signed onto a pirate ship, the question is; are you happy."
Fire Gem looked a little surprised, but answered after a second.
"Yes, I am."
Both just smiled and pulled him into a hug.
"Then that's enough." His father gave Fire Gem's shoulder a light pat.
"Fire Gem, Know this, no matter what happens, we will always love you, no matter what." His mother said tightening her hug, being careful not to choke him again.
The father went over to Razor.
"Razor Tail is it? I've heard a bit about you, what would your intentions be with my son?"
"Well as long as he's a member of my crew I'll look after him, if he ever wants to leave that's his choice."
The father looked over the Kirin for a minute, then smiled.
"Then as long as my son is one of your crew mates, the Outcasts will have the support of Fire Gem's family."
He then joined in on the hug, Fire Gem wrapped his patents with his arms and wings, crying with happiness while Razor watch with a smile.
Flashback Ends
The youngster were amazed.
"They accepted that you were now a pirate, just like that?" Sun Field asked.
"I was just as surprised as you, then again from what I understand, they were lucky to have me."
"Lucky to have you? Do you mean your mother was unable to have foals?" Silver Spoon asked.
"Unfortunately yes, Dad once told me that Mom had been very upset, and that's putting it very mildly, that she was close to not being able to have foals. So when she carried me she was very happy, again putting it very mildly."
"If you parents were Unicorns, how did they have a Dracony?" Chipcutter asked.
Fire Gem shrugged.
"Your guess is as good as mine, it just seems Pony families sometimes have a foal who are a different Pony race."
The youngsters immediately thought of the Cake Twins.
"On another subject, why are you guys called 'Outcasts of the Abyss'?" Tender Taps asked.
"Well lad the reason is..."
Atlas Moth's Room
Atlas was leaning back in her chair, hind legs propped up on the table and a cup of mint tea in her forehooves. Her room resembled her room in her former hive, with green crystals lining the walls and a bed made of Changeling gel, the table and chairs were made form hardened Changeling slime.
Currently she had her head back with her eyes closed and her mouth a blissful smile, once in awhile taking a small sip of tea. She opened her eyes, lifted her head up, and lit her horn. The door opened revealing Vapor Trail and Angel Wings, the former with her hoof raised to knock.
"Ah, Vapor Trail, Angel Wings, come in. I guess you wish to talk?"
The two Ponies stood for a second, then walked in closing the door behind them.
"Yes, yes we do." Angel said quietly, Vapor rubbed her foreleg.
"Well come sit down, would you like some tea? It's fresh."
Vapor and Angel sat down and took a cup, Angel took a sip and pulled back in surprise.
"This is really good." Vapor took a sip.
"Wow... I've never had tea like this before."
Atlas smiled.
"It's my sister's recipe, she knew how to make it not only taste great but also rejuvenating."
The Ponies looked up.
"You have a sister?" Angel asked.
"Had, she died years ago."
"What happened?" Vapor asked.
"Our hive was attacked by Ponies, my sister told me to flee with the young. I did but, out of two thousand Drones, only five survived with me and all the young. My sister, Monarch Butterfly, fought hard but eventually fell."
"We're sorry." Vapor said, Angel nodded her agreement, adding;
"She must have been a great sister."
"She was, total sweetheart, I know she would have loved being here with the rest of us."
Atlas reached over and picked up a framed picture sitting next to her hat. It showed a teenage Atlas with another teenage Changeling Royal Mare who had a foreleg over Atlas' shoulders, this Royal had a royal purple backplate and dark blue mane, tail, eyes, and wings. Atlas' own backplate was also dark blue, both Changelings had huge, happy smiles on their faces. Atlas showed them it.
"That's you sister, she's very pretty." Angel said.
"When was this picture taken?" Vapor asked.
"Thanks, and this was from back when our mother was still alive, she passed peacefully in her sleep after me and Monarch had turned twenty, cancer."
"Oh... sorry to hear that." Angel said.
"Thanks, she had known she hadn't long left in this world, the last thing she said to us before she closed her eyes for the final time was; "No matter what comes next, know that I love you two very, very much." Her passing still hurt both of us for along while after."
"And then the attack..." Vapor quietly added.
"Yea..." Atlas teared up a little. "My group and I fled while Monarch stayed with the others to allow us to escape, they had armor, but the attack Ponies had sheer numbers. Last I saw of my sister was a sword being run through her chest."
She wiped her tears.
"I later found out that a Pony Noble had lied about our hive, before we had a deal with the Ponies in the area; they left us alone, we left them along. The Noble had said we were kidnapping Ponies to "Drain them dry" which was not the case at all."
"How did your hive feed then?" Vapor asked.
"Through passive feeding, we simply took the emotional energy from the gathered deposit in the air."
Atlas took a sip of her tea.
"Funny enough, that same night I meet my hubby."
"We were wondering that, how did you meet Razor?" Angel asked.
"Me and the survivors landed on a distant island to rest and morn, we were cold, wet, hungry, and tired. As I laid there crying, the few Drones trying to comfort me, we sensed a Pony approach, it was a young Kirin; Razor Tail. He was cautious in his approach, not that he didn't need to be, we were just too burnt out to doing anything to him. He came up to us, looked me in the eye, and spread both wings and forelegs. We just snuggled into him and I cried into his shoulder as he wrapped us up, taking some of the love he offered. We stayed like that all night, that was the same night the Outcasts of the Abyss were born, we just didn't know it at the time."
Angel and Vapor were silent for a bit, letting Atlas sort through her memories while they processed this. Finally Vapor asked.
"Why do you guys call yourselves the "Outcasts of the Abyss"?"
"Razor came up with the name, as for why; it's because that's what most of the members of our faction are in fact Outcasts in some way. Some lost everything but their families to greedy Nobles, some are here because it's the only place they really fit in, some are here because they have no place left to go, some because they wanted a better life, a large number are freed slaves, and some are here because this is all they have, and that's only the tip of the iceberg."
"Wow..." Was all the two could say.
"Yea... At least we have each other to help through the tough times, my hive has regrown and now see my husband as their King. But I still deeply miss my sister" Atlas said.
After a few minutes, Vapor asked.
"What's the other Head Officers stories?"
"That's for them to tell, but I will tell you a bit about Snowy. She had been married to a loving Unicorn Stallion and had three foals, two Fillies and one Colt. They had a happy life, before the very same Noble who killed my sister sold them to the Caribou."
Vapor looked horrified while Angel covered her mouth with both hooves.
"They were taken from her kicking and screaming, put on a ship, and that ship disappeared. And poor Snow, she suffered seven long years of pain before she escaped. Razor and I found her just barely alive holding on to a rock, Snow was a broken shell of a Mare when we pulled her aboard. For a long while she was understandably terrified of Razor and couldn't be alone with him without screaming. She did eventually regain enough of her mind to realize that Razor meant her no harm. Since then she has become a terror to the Caribou and a Pony that many former slaves rally behind."
She let out a sign and finished her tea.
"But she never fully recovered, even to this day Snowy wakes up in the night screaming at the top of her lungs and some times has major breakdown. Heck, before we even set out on this voyage she had a minor one. I doubt she will ever fully recover from that, all we can do is help her through it, Silver's been a real help there. Snow doesn't even know if her family is even alive."
She looked at the two Ponies.
"That ring on her eyepatch is the same ring her husband gave her."
Vapor was crying into her hooves while Angel just sat there staring into nothing. After a time Vapor wiped her tears and, wanting to change the subject, said,
"Silver is quite the cutie, I admit the Mares in our group couldn't help but dawww when we meet him."
Atlas smiled with pride.
"Snow thought the same thing, our son has that charm and is well liked by the crew."
"We can agree with that, he's such a sweetheart." Angel asked.
"Aye that he is, though out of the Head Officers Silver has bonded with Snowy the most, as she took part the most in raising him when Razor and I were busy, having been denied that joy herself."
She then looked a Vapor.
"Lass, is something wrong? Your emotions are a bit in turmoil."
"Just thinking, I know a Stallion who I've known since we were kids."
Atlas tilled her head slightly, then said,
"You love him." It was a statement, not a question.
"Yes, but I don't know if he loves me back, I'm scared it'll ruin our friendship if I say it."
"Vapor, I've only known you for a short time, but I can tell you're a wonderful Mare, tell me how you two meet." She said gently.
She did and the three of them sat there listening and talking for a long while.
Razor's Office
Razor let out a breath slowly and braced himself, around him were numerous wooden training dummies like the ones used in martial arts. Sitting up he opened his eyes and attacked. He jumped into the air swinging his halberd through four dummies, landed, smashed the hammer end against one knocking it down, pulled out a revolver and shot through three, throw three throwing knives into three, one missed and hit some sort of magic field(1), fired a shot into the missed one, slashed two with his tail blade followed by two more with his claws, pulled out a second revolver and emptied them into most of the remaining dummies, then finally pulled out his bolt-action rifle and shot through the final dummies which were lined up.
The Silver Phoenix, Silberbar, clicked the button on the stopwatch he was holding.
"What's the time?"
Silberbar showed him the watch.
"Nineteen seconds, not bad, about five seconds less then last time."
He went over to a glowing rune and tapped it with a claw, dropping the field. He cleaned up and walked over to the table. Razor was happy to know his practice was paying off and his combat skills were still sharp, one must be ready to fight many opponents at once in this sort life, something he found out the hard way.
He feel a minor pain from his left wing, he reached over and gently rubbed it, under the attire lay a large scar at the base of the wing, a permanent reminder that he was not invulnerable, as his younger self had believed. That same overconfidence had very nearly cost him his wing and life.
Setting the halberd down he picked up a custom made gladius hipaniensis and hooked it to his belt. He also picked up his custom-made swords and daggers, which along with the gladius hipaniensis shared the same design, though the large sword is a mix between a Broadsword (Double-Sided Edge and Blade Length), Rapier (Crossguard Style), and Saber (Blade Curve).
The blade was a glowing ruby red and dark red in color with one gold section on the back of the blade with a tiny silver tip and silver sections, one with a short darker silver claw towards the base on the back of the blade and one at the front that angles down and along the front edge of the front of the blade, behind the front silver section was a gold section that angles up and along the back bladed, and on the tip of the blade was a darker silver tip shaped like a claw. On both of the sides of the blade on the center was a hexagon-shaped silver plate with a sapphire curved into the Dragon’s sail symbol on it with a hollow A shape above and below it which had a tiny diamond-shaped sapphire on the tip and a small diamond-shaped silver stud inside each A shape and under the symbol plate was a glowing green dragon shaped like the Dragon’s flag. Wrapped around and up from the base of the blade was a large length of purple cloth with one edge colored gold wrapped around the blade three times with a small gold round plate with the symbol of two crossed halberds behind a forward facing dragon head on it and two blue feathers under the plate and A red length of cloth wrapped tightly three times around the blade above the purple cloth. Above the red cloth is a large round disk with an eight-point star and a large diamond-shaped emerald within with the longer tips following the blade.
There were several cracks and spots of various sizes that glowed sapphire blue on the blade.
The Crossguard was gold and was shaped like a large chain(s) with (nine (Large Sword), six (Butterfly Swords), or three (Daggers)) large, medium and small-sized diamond-shaped rubies and emeralds, silver rings (three (Large Sword), two (Butterfly Swords), or one (Daggers)), and silver coins (four (Large Sword), three (Butterfly Swords), or two (Daggers)) held on via rings of their own. The Handle had a length of purple cloth and a length of red cloth with one edge colored silver wrapped around the hand with seven gold and silver coin attached to the cloth with small rings and the Pommel had a glowing three-point flame.
He slid the large sword into the sheath under his left wing, the four butterfly swords into the ones on his shoulders, and the two daggers along with the gladius into the ones on his belt. Sitting down he opened his compass, set it on the table on top of a map of the Sea of Legends, and picked up a parallel ruler. Frowning as he laid out the course to Blackcap Peaks, he set the ruler aside.
"One to two weeks depending on weather to Blackcap Peaks, this trip is going to be a long one. Thankfully the Caribou treasure convoy route crosses with our path, would really keep morale high taking one out, Snowy would sure enjoy it."
His thoughts were interrupted when the compass crystal suddenly glowed green.
"Well, that was unexpected."
Looking over it, he set the compass in the center of the map and traced it's path with a claw. It was pointing to a chain of islands located a fair distance away from a trade route known as The Spine, these island were uninhabited and most of them were barren with only the largest one having plants of any kind.
That island, called Ashbone Spires, was a 'No Sail Zone', for good reason. The first was the rock, it somehow blocked magic of all kinds, even Discord's magic would not work there. But the second reason was far worse.
He laid a claw on the spot and the compass crystal glowed ever brighter.
"You have got to be kidding me, Ashbone Spires of ALL PLACES!! Even the Caribou avoid that island like they would Snowheart, of all the places."
Just then a small, onyx black pendent in the shape of a small beetle light up in green. Surprised, Razor reached over and picked it up, flipping it over the underside had the word "Canterlot" imprinted. Razor arched an eyebrow.
"One of our Canterlot agents is calling? It must be important as they normally send messages through dragonfire letter."
Activating it, a round green screen formed and an Unicorn Stallion in Royal Guard armor appeared, with a worried look on his face.
"Agent Flame Shield report, is your cover blown?"
"No my lord, I'm in my room in the barracks, my shift just ended."
"Then what's wrong? You look like it was blown."
"Princesses Celestia and Luna are coming to the Sea of Legends with a Juggernaut and a fleet of two hundred fifty ships after you! On response to the so-called kidnapping of the School of Friendship students and the attack on the town and ship."
Razor's blood froze, his eyes went wide.
"Your kidding."
"No I'm not kidding, also the guardians of the non-pony SOFS students and Neighsay are coming as well."
"Neighsay? What is that bigot filth up to?"
"He want's to use the so-called kidnapping of the SOFS students as leverage to shut the school down."
"Faust im Himmel, thanks for the heads up, continue you duties and keep me updated on anything important."
"Well do me lord." Flame Shield saluted and cut the feed.
Razor looked at the table with a hard glare, things just got worse. So he said the first thing that came to mind.
"I Knew that attack would come back to haunt me!! That blasted fortune cookie!"
He faceplanted into the table.
"The crew are not going to like this."
(1) After Atlas nearly had a hair cut when she surprised Razor while he was training, she all but demanded that a shield was set up to prevent any future accidents, extra important as Silver was due to hatch soon.
