Equestrian Fleet
The Alicorn of Freedom
Celestia, Luna, Iron Waters, Neighsay, and the five foreign leaders were gathered in the captain's cabin with Wave Surfer who had agreed to tell them what he knew as a native to the Sea of Legends. Joining them were Starswirl and the other Pillars along with the Captain of the Royal Guards; a light blue Earth Pony Mare with a darker blue mane and tail with a white streak, ice blue eyes, and a cutie mark of two crossed halberds with a third one behind the cross. Two things that stood out was her size; she was easily a good head taller then most Stallions, and the large silver halberd clipped to her armor. The same halberd used by Kirin Soldiers.
The Mare's name was Blade Wind, an Earth Pony of Kirin descent.
"So Wave, what can you tell us about the Sea of Legends?" Iron asked.
Wave looked up from the tea he'd been drinking. "Not as much as you'd probably like since most of what I know comes from the legends and tales I've heard over the years."
"As I said before, it sure beats the hay out of nothing."
"Okay, sooo... where would you like me to start?"
"How about with what you know about the Sea of Legends itself." Luna said.
"Well the Sea of Legends is a massive ocean dotted with many islands through some areas are just open water with many secrets and legends. From what I know magic is quite rich in the water but so far one one has found any way to wield it, and many things outsiders thing is just old Pony tales, is very real out here."
"Like what?" Starswirl asked.
"Sea and Merponies for one, giant sea creatures, and other such tales. One of the most common threats sailors face are walking Skeletons brought to life by magic. At least, that's one belief."
The others looked at him in disbelief.
"That's impossible!" Neighsay said. "How could Skeletons possibly be able to move and be a threat. No magic can do that!"
Wave rather calmly answered, "Don't be so quick to dismiss it, the Sea of Legends holds many secrets, some more dangerous then others. This place can either be one's beginning... or their end."
Picking up his tea cup he continued.
"The Sea of Legends is still largely unexplored, and "living Skeletons are only one of many threats here. The Sea is to be respected, for she takes all those who do not."
Things were quiet for a few minutes, then Blade asked.
"What are the other threats in this sea?"
"Too many for me to list; besides the Skeletons you have massive uncontrollable storms that can cover large areas for even months, to the forever feared Imperator Leviathan: The apex predator of the Sea of Legends, very few have ever faced one, and lived to tell the tale."
He suddenly shuttered.
"But... the most feared creature of the Sea, is a female Imperator Leviathan know by a large number of names; The Tidemaker, The Terror of the Sea, and the most well known, The Rage of the Tides."
Wave looked at his company with a haunted look, freaking them out slightly.
"She is a six mile long creature with a mane of hundreds of tentacles, half ending in three-jawed mouths filled with teeth that suck a victim into a horrible death of literary being shredded alive, and a mouth big enough to swallow a mountain whole. She has roamed the Sea of Legends for thousands of years, and only one has ever survived challenging her."
He paused, letting what he said sink in.
"Two thousand years ago there was a Pirate Lord named Wolfgang Harpoon. He spend many, many years of his life chasing the creature, seeking fame and glory for killing the Leviathan. To do this he designed a weapon, a special harpoon enchanted with untold power, to kill the otherwise unkillable creature."
"How would it be unkillable?" Starswirl asked, the looks on the others asking the same thing.
"Many years of exposure to the magic-rich waters of the Sea of Legends has hardened it's hide to near-invulnerability, it's hide is covered in many scars it has gained over it's very long life."
Wave drew in a deep breath.
"Wolfgang faced the Rage of the Tides in it's territory with the harpoon, ready to end the creature, he failed. All but one of his crew was lost that day, along with the only weapon capable of killing the Leviathan. The sole survivor spread the tale, writing many books about that day."
There was a very long pause, everyone taking all this in. While some were skeptic, others looked worried, if the Sea of Legends was that dangerous. Finally after a short while Ember asked.
"Is the Sea ruled by anyone?"
Thankful for the change in subject, Wave answered.
"Up until about fifteen years or so ago the Sea was ruled by mix of Pirate Lords and Royals, most through an iron grip and were, for a lack of a better word, tyrants who only felt greed and only cared about power. They did things best left unsaid to those who live here, all I can say is that it was really bad. Until fifteen years ago they were unchallenged and fought never ending wars with each other, that all changed when the Outcasts of the Abyss showed up."
The gathered creatures looked at each other, then Celestia asked.
"How did things change?"
"When they first showed up the Outcasts were ignored, the Royals and Lords thinking they were not worth the time to hunt them down. That was a fatal mistake. The Outcasts of the Abyss, lead by the Kirin Archduke Razor Tail, lead a campaign that slowly took them all down, by the time the "Rulers" realized how much of a threat the Outcasts were to them, only two Royals remained."
Wave paused to take a breath, then continued.
"They joined forces and attacked the Outcast's base, an area known as Ironclads Rest, an area said to be a massive ship graveyard and hidden by a maelstrom of untold magic power. It was there they faced against the now massive Outcast armada, and where the last two Royals were taken by the sea. The massive power vacuum left by the deaths of the Royals allowed Archduke Razor Tail and the three remaining pirate Lords to take the Sea of Legend for themselves."
"So now they rule the sea. Though how did these "Outcasts of the Abyss gain so much power?" Ember asked.
"When you've been oppressed for a long time owning nothing, not your lands or even your shelter. Having no rights in the eyes of rulers who simply don't give a flying feather, what happens when an unknown outsider takes down one down."
"You see a spark of hope for a better life..." Flash started,
"and hang onto it with everything you have." Somnambula finished.
"Once word of the first Royal's fall reached them, did they ever. At the time Razor's forces were few, but after taking down the first the ranks of the Outcasts swelled like balloon but I'll get to that later, right now I believe you want to know more the remaining Pirate Lords right?"
"Yes, what can you tell us about them?" Luna asked.
"Well, the four Lords are Blackmane, perhaps you're familiar with him, though to my knowledge he's now semi-retired and has given most of his turf over to the Outcasts. Iron Horn, a powerful Unicorn Archmage and Razor Tail's arch rival. The Giant Earth Pony and Cave Thestral hybrid named Blood Fang. And finally the most powerful of all, Archduke Razor Tail himself."
"Blackmane? One of the most feared pirates to sail the seas, lives in the Sea of Legends?" Iron asked.
"Yes, though he's left his days of pirating behind him."
"What about the other Lords?" Thorax asked.
"Iron Horn, as I said before, is a powerful Archmage, possibly as power as Starswirl here. He rules a small but very well defended area filled with rocks, shipwrecks and bones. From what I've heard he's been studying magic since his was very young, although not at the cost of casting off bonds he has with others. His ship is a former Caribou Titan named the "Steel Phoenix" and his flag is a tome with two crossed wands behind it."
"Magic wouldn't help him against Razor Tail, Kirins are immune to magic." Mage Meadowbrook said.
"Doesn't mean it wouldn't be useful elsewhere." Celestia said.
"The rivalry between Razor and Iron Horn seems to be more of the friendly kind," Wave continued, "and they only act nasty to each other. At least, that is as far as I know."
He took a sip of his tea, finishing it off.
"The pirate Lord Blood Fang is perhaps the biggest Pony I have ever seen, he would tower over even Princess Celestia."
Said Alicorn, along with everyone else looked surprised.
"Your kidding."
"No I'm not kidding, I've seen him up close, and his is called the Giant for a very good reason. Blood Fang and his faction, the "War Pirates", rule from a large, somewhat barren and hash island chain far to the west in an area filled with dangerous creatures. Unlike other pirates he's not just motivated by loot, but also by a good fight, he lives for the thrill of combat and these days he leads constant raids on Caribou shipping, freeing slaves and giving them to the Outcasts as part of their deal. His ship is a massive hulk of steel named "The Beast" that was formerly a Juggernaut that had grown as more and more metal was added to it and his flag is a Thestral skull with a battleaxe clutched in its teeth and dripping fangs."
"Sounds like we wouldn't want to cross paths with them then." Meadow said.
"What would Razor's ship be and what was the deal between Blood Fang and Razor Tail?" Luna asked.
"Razor's ship is called the "Dragon of the Depths" but I don't know what kind of ship it is, only that its massive. His flag I'm sure you already know and from what I know, every time Blood Fang hit Caribou fleets, He would take the ships and loot while Razor would take the then freed slaves."
"What happens to the freed slaves?"
"They are sent to Imperator's Grave, the main trade hub of the Sea of Legends, some either live there or leave to get back their families while most join the Outcasts of the Abyss."
"And what can you tell us about these "Outcasts of the abyss"?" Mistmane, who hadn't spoke the entire time, asked.
"The're the largest and most powerful faction in the Sea of Legends, lead by Archduke Razor Tail they rule from Imperator's Grave. No one knows just how large and powerful the faction due to them keeping all that hidden, and continuing from earlier; had devices and such that put them way ahead of everyone else."
"Like what?" Luna asked.
"Unlike other pirates, the Outcasts somehow have access to cap and ball revolvers and bolt-action rifles."
That shocked everyone.
"How would pirates have access to those weapons?!" Iron shouted.
"I don't know, but somehow they do. I've even heard rumors of them slowly replacing the cap and ball with cartridge revolvers but I don't know that for certain."
"What I want to know is how they got the weapons in the first place." Blade said. "Match, Flint and Wheellocks I would understand, those are easy enough to make. Bolt-action rifles... okay I don't see those being to hard if you know what your doing, same with the percussion cap weapons. But... Wave, what bolt-action rifles do they use?"
"The Germane G82s or at least ones based on it, the distinctive "crack" gives them away."
"Germane G82s!?" Blade stammered, quite shocked, she wasn't the only one.
"How?! If my memory is right doesn't Germaney have agreements not to let their weapons leave their home country." Iron said.
"While that is true, by current Germane standards the G82s are very outdated." Celestia said in thought.
"These "Outcasts" must have somehow gotten hold of the rifles but how would they get them out of the country? As my studies since my return, Germaney keeps their borders on lockdown for things like this." Luna said rubbing her chin.
Everyone looked down at the table for a short bit in thought, then Thorax slowly raised a hoof.
"Something you want to say Thorax?" Luna asked.
"Yes but before I do... Wave, what species does the Outcast have in their ranks?"
"Pretty much every know sentient ones, even Caribou, though mostly female or Red-nose."
"Then... could Razor Tail have infiltrators in areas like that? Similar to how my hive once worked?"
Everyone looked at each other, that was a very good question.
"Princesses, you did tell us that Razor has the drive, the ambition, and the resources to unite the various pirate gangs, smuggler rings, privateer fleets, Merchant armadas, and other sailors of any kind that live here under his banner. Which could make the Outcasts a world power in their own right." Thorax continued.
"I get where Thorax is going," Ember spoke up, "Razor might believe that the other nations would all attack him and his faction on reveal."
"Which would mean that by have infiltrators in every nation would allow him to prepare his faction for that and keep up to date on the outside world." Seaspray added.
"That... makes sense. But, the only nations, no offence to anycreature here, that would be an actual threat to these Outcast would be Equestia and the Caribou." Luna said.
That was true, only those two powers had the naval capacity to be a threat to the Outcast of the Abyss, and the Caribou had been suffering a mysterious decline in their own navy as more and more of their ships disappeared.
Whoever that Steel Hull belonged to was most likely one of the major reasons.
"There's something else I want to say, I had a full encounter once with the Archduke." Wave said.
"You did?!" was the response. Wave nodded.
"Yes, but I'm not sure I can put it into words alone."
I may be able to help there." Celestia said as she stood up. "I know a spell that allows others to see the memories of an individual. With your permission Wave I'll cast it so we all can see that encounter."
"Go ahead Princess, just be warned, it wasn't pleasant for a few in that encounter."
Celestia nodded, lit her horn up, and gently pressed the tip on Wave's forehead. A white light filled with vision of everyone in the room, when it cleared they found themselves within a medium-sized, somewhat dark, room with little in it. Everyone looked around while Wave had a look of sadness.
"This room... brings back some memories I'd rather forget."
"Why's that Wave?" Mage put her hoof on the Stallion's back.
"I was a slave at the time, me and thirty others. We were brought here by our Griffin "master"," Wave spat out the word like a poison. "Razor Tail had made a deal with him to hand our group over for a large sum of gold."
As Wave said this, the memory played showing the very smug Griffin along with four guards bring the Pony slaves, a mix of Mares, Stallions, and even some foals, into the room. Celestia, Luna, and the other Ponies felt a powerful rage flow through them upon seeing this. A few minutes later another group enter from the other side, facing the Griffin.
"Wave, is that..." Iron asked.
"That's him, Archduke Razor Tail."
The Kirin, followed by eight Ponies wearing silver, full body plate and chain mail armor with black trim and gold runes, on each of their flanks was a length of red cloth with black edge stripes with the same design as the banners used by the Outcasts. The armor had been designed to invoke the appearance of a dragon version of a Pony Alicorn, complete with wings and tails, both of which were moving as if they were a natural part of the wearer's body, and horns with magic, all of which made it hard to tell what races they were or if they actuary were Alicorns. they were all armed with silver Halberds, and a white Pegasus Mare and a Changeling Queen followed behind them.
"Razor's personal bodyguards, along with two of his Head Officers." Wave said.
The group fanned out with Razor facing the Griffin, his guards on either side, and the two Officers behind him.
"They spend a bit of time talking, then the Griffin asked for his payment."
The memory showed Razor flicking his tail, which was answered by three Thestrals entering with a large chest on their backs. Luna's eyes widened upon seeing them.
"I know those Thestrals!"
Everyone turned to her in surprise.
"You do Luna?" Celestia asked.
"Yes, their names are White Fang and his two brothers, Night Mist and Dark Rock. White Fang is an albino and was one of my best guards, until he murdered four Ponies in cold blood. It wasn't until much later that I found out those four were loan sharks and wanted outlaws, by then White and his brothers had long since fled Equestria and disappeared." She looked back at the memory as the three Thestrals set the chest down.
"It seems they've thrown their lot in with this Razor Tail."
In the memory the Griffin handed over the slaves, one of which was a Pony that looked like Wave Surfer, just younger and not grown into his longer then normal legs yet.
"That's me." Wave said. "We were handed over, we thought that was it then... something happened that I will never forget."
The others were wondering what he was talking about when they heard sounds from the memory.
"I see you kept you word." Razor was saying.
"It's bad for business if I don't give my wares to the buyers don't get what they're paying for. So were is my payment?" the Griffin said with a smug tone and look getting eve worse (if that was possible). Razor merely raised an eyebrow, while the Ponies watch the memory looked like they all really wanted a piece of the Griffin.
Razor stood stoic for a minute, then a smile that sent chills down the watchers backs appeared on the Kirin's face. The Kirin hunting smile. The Griffin apparently didn't know the smile as he still had that smug look that grinded the nerves of the Ponies watching.
"About you payment, Tide Gunners, FEUER!"
The second the last word left his mouth, the four slaver guards hit the ground, dead from gunshots to the backs of their heads. The Griffin had no time to react as Razor's own guards shot forward and grabbed him, followed by breaking the Griffin's limbs as he screamed in surprise and pain. The slaves, and the watchers expect for Wave, were taken aback by this sudden move.
Four Mares, one Earth Pony, one Pegasus, and two Unicorns, stepped out of the shadows from where the Griffin and his guards had come in.
"Stelle den Topf auf und giesse das Gold hinein, Schnell!"
Razor walked over to a large pot White had brought and his and his brothers opened the full chest, and poured the gold into it. As this was happening the Griffin in panic looked over at his former property, seeing the Changeling walk up to them as the Pegasus Mare removed their collars.
"Look away young ones." The Changeling said.
"No." Was the response, "We want to watch our "Master" get what he deserves." A Unicorn Mare said, spitting as she said master, her fellows nodding their agreement. After the gold had been poured Razor drew in a breath and released a thin stream of fire onto the pot, the blue and purple fire looked like it was almost alive as it moved to the top and into the gold like water, melting the gold quickly as the Changeling picked up the slave collars and tossed them into the pot as well.
The Griffin, held by the guard's magic and smug look gone, begged for mercy, but he was shown none. The freed slaves just watched, some with satisfied looks and smirks. The Pegasus Mare had a smirk of her own as if she was going to enjoy what was coming, her one eye gleamed in anticipation while the Changeling simply looked on with no emotion. After a few minutes Razor stopped blowing fire and dropped a small crystal in the molten gold. After which he picked up the hot pot with his wing hands. He walked over to the Griffin and stood in front of him.
"Here, is you payment."
Razor then lifted the pot up, and poured the molten gold. The watchers could only stare in shock and horror, the hot, magic infused gold spread across the screaming Griffin's body, Razor looking him in the eyes after the Kirin finished pouring. It was over in only a few seconds, but it seemed like a thousand years, until finally the Griffin finally stopped screaming, the gold covering most of his head and shoulders.
Razor merely huffed.
"And this is your fate, killed by the very thing you wanted."
He stood to his full height while his guards let the body drop with a heavy thud, the freed Ponies kicked, punched, and even spat on the body.
"Change is coming to the Sea of Legends, and the slave trade will be one of the first things to go, along with the slavers. Those who take freedom from others, do not deserve it themselves."
He then turned to look at the freed Ponies after they finished venting.
"What happens to you now is your choice, as it always should have been. I have no use for those forced into this against their will, I only lead those that chose to follow. If you wish to get back to your homes, then we will take you to them, no strings attached. I give you my word, not as a pirate, but as a Kirin."
Wave drew in a breath. "And that was the beginning of the end for the Slave trade in the Sea of Legends, only the Caribou still try. The rest either fled never to return, or fell to the Outcasts. Razor kept his word, though the most of us joined the Outcasts that day. I wish I did."
The others had various reactions; Celestia, Neighsay, Thorax, Seaspray, Mage, Mistmane, Somnambula, and Rockhoof were horrified at what happened. Luna, Flash Magnus, Starswirl, and Ember were also shocked but at the same time glad to see a Slaver get what he deserved.
Grandpa Gruff and Rutherford were indifferent, while Iron and Blade both actually looked satisfied at the death of the Slaver.
"A burtal, but not undeserved fate. That Slaver did things, thing I wouldn't say, to those he didn't sell." Wave said as they were brought back to the real world.
"Was the molten gold really necessary, why not just run him through?" Celestia asked.
"Creatures of that type only respond to messages like that Princess, Razor Tail was sending a message doing that. One that would mean that neither he nor his followers would show any mercy to any Slavers they got." Iron said.
"And I'm glad for that." Wave said shutting his eyes as tears started to fall. "That Griffin, that monster, when I was in his grasp, killed my two sisters, after he... did things to them, Right. In. Front. Of me! He forced me to watch!"
Wave, unable to hold it back anymore, buried his face into his hooves and let the tears flow.
"I was only a young colt back then." He cried into his hooves.
He was then pulled into a hug by Blade Wind, who held him tightly.
"I know how you feel Wave, let it out." A single tear fell down her face. "I lost my mother to slavers long ago, thankful she only died rather then being taken. My father, along with his clan, hunted down those slavers, and were not merciful. That was also the day I first spilled blood, using my father's halberd, the very same one I'm carrying now. I was only a preteen foal at the time."
Both stayed in each other's embrace, sharing their pain and comfort. No one moved to break it up, instead waiting for it to pass. After some time passed the two Earth Ponies lifted their heads up, and accidentally booped each other's snouts. Wave and Blade sat there in surprise for a few seconds(but long enough), staring into each other's eyes, before pulling away fully with large and very visible blushes.
The others had looks ranging from indifferent to amused, and in the case of one sunny Alicorn, a small plot in mind. Iron was about to say something when the door to the cabin burst open, a Pegasus guard entering the room in a sprint.
"Admiral! Princesses! Several ships have been spotted off our port bow."
"Colors?" Iron asked.
"They're not flying any."
Iron's eyes widened. "Pirates..."
"Or worse." Wave said, his voice a bit panicky.
They rushed out onto the deck, in the distance was a small fleet of eight ships; five sloops, two brigantines, and a frigate. The ships looked like they had been in the water for a long time as various sea plant life and small creatures could be seen all over the hulls and sails, the latter of which were badly tattered. One thing all of them had was a large skull of a serpent under the bowsprit.
"Oh no..." Wave's eyes widened.
"You know those ships Wave?" Luna asked.
"Yes, remember how I said that moving skeletons were real here?"
"Yes, why?"
"Those are skeleton ships, a common threat on the waters. They shouldn't be too much of a problem, their cannons are of very poor quality, so they might just explode instead of fire or fail to fire at all. But..."
"But what?" Blade asked.
"There should be a-"
Wave was interrupted as a skeleton Man O' War burst from below, it righted itself and it's gunports opened, the damaged cannons moving into firing position.
"-flagship." Wave finished.
"So, hostile?" Iron asked.
"Yes, hostile."
"Got it, ALL HOOVES BATTLE STATIONS!!!"
The Equestrian fleet readied themselves as the skeleton fleet moved towards them, once they were in range the skeleton ships fired, the Equestrian fleet responding with their own cannon fire and magic blasts.
Dragon of the Depths
Razor's Office
"Wow Razor, you've been through a lot in you time here."
"Aye I have Thunderlane, more then enough for three lifetimes."
Razor had been studying charts when Thunderlane had entered want to talk, happy for the break Razor oftered the Pegasus some tea and the two talked for awhile with Razor telling Thunder about some of his adventures.
"Quite the life but... was pouring molten gold on that one slaver's head really necessary?"
"Maybe, maybe not, but a message need to be sent so they would know I was not playing around."
"Did it work?"
"It did, better then I expected."
As Razor took a sip of his tea Thunderlane couldn't help but stare at the long scar on Razor's face.
"Admiring my "medals"?"
Thunderlane jumped slightly, brought out of his thoughts he saw Razor looking at him with a light, but warm, smile.
"Sorry... I was just curious." The Kirin just lightly chuckled.
"Its okay lad, you not the first one to ask. Everyone on this ship before you and your companions have asked."
"Oh, alright. So..."
"This scar on my face came from a dangerous creature, one that would make Hydras quake in their skin. This tooth came from that same creature, after I shot it out with old reliable here." Razor tapped the tooth after taking his hat off and setting it on the table, then tapped his rifle which sat in front of him on the table.
"Wow..."
"Aye, even their blood was dangerous."
"And the other scars?"
"I've gained many scars over my life as a pirate, including this one. Hold on one second." Razor took of his cape, coat, waistcoat, armor, and shirt off, he then turned showing Thunderlane the large and ugly scar at the base of his left wing. Thunderlane recoiled seeing it.
"Oh sweet Celestia! How did you get that?!"
After redressing Razor let out a heavy sigh and stared into his tea.
"I was full of myself at the time, all enemies the Outcasts had faced before were too incompetent, arrogant, or cowardly. I let it go to my head, and it came back to haunt me."
He lifted his head and gazed at a picture on the pipe organ, Thunderlane following his gaze. The picture had a younger Razor Tail along with younger versions of his Head Officers. Also in the picture were a number of creatures he didn't know and hadn't seen on the ship, including a Tatzlpony Stallion who had his foreleg around Razor who in turn has his left wing around the Tatzlpony.
"Who are they and who's Tatzlpony? I haven't seen him before."
"They were my original crew of my first ship the "Black Dragon". The Tatzlpony was my best friend, and you wouldn't, for he's no longer among us." Razor said with sorrow and pain in his voice. "His name was Silver Tail, my closest friend next to Atlas and the other Head officers."
"What happened?"
"During the final years of the Royal's hold of the Sea of Legends, me, Silver Tail, my original crew and an Outcast army of a hundred thousand strong battled his smaller army on a large island known as "Fallen Rest". To make a long story short, I allowed my pride to blind me, and I payed for it dearly. The Royal, for how incompetent he was, he was still a capable fighter. In the end he manged to thrust his sword into my back and would have ended me right there if Silver Hadn't shielded me, at the cost of his own life."
Tears flowed from Razor's eyes as the memories came back.
"He died in my arms telling me to live for him and the fallen. My own wounds were bad, the Healer did what they could there but I was out of it for a good amount of time. That scar is from the wound that almost killed me, and it later nearly took my wing. That was the day I was woken up."
Taking a calming breath Razor wiped his tears and continued.
"I was told later that the battle was a victory for the Outcasts, but we lost ninety-five percent of our forces."
"NINETY-FIVE PERCENT!!!"
"Aye, including almost all of the original crew. Zenith, Steel Mass, Gold Fire, Shadow Fire, White Fang, Night Mist, Dark Rock, Fire Gem, Apollo, Snowheart, Atlas and I were the only survivors. And the Black Dragon had been so badly damaged our only choice was to sink her. We placed the crew's bodies in the ship, and lit her up. We then just watched as she burned, and sank into the abyss, our tears following her."
Placing his face into his palm he let the tears flown.
"That was my greatest failure, and a reminder of my own mortality, and the lose of my closest friend. None of the Outcasts who survived that battle consider it a victory, at all"
Thunderlane had been letting his own tears fall as Razor told the tale, He knew of a similar pain to that of the Kirin.
"I'm sorry..."
"Thanks, even though we've mourned and accepted it, that day will forever haunt us."
"I... know at least somewhat of how you feel. I lost my parents long ago."
"How so?"
"At the weather factory in Cloudsdale, something went very wrong. I don't have any details on what but... it would have been very bad for Equestria. My parents worked at the factory on that day, you could probably guess the shock and sadness me and my brother Rumble went through when we were told the news: both had died saving the factory."
Thunderlane wiped his own tears.
"I was only a preteen and Rumble was just a baby."
"I'm sorry to hear that Thunder, that must have been really hard on you two."
"It was, but that wasn't the worst. Foal Protection Services wanted to separate me and Rumble. I wasn't about to have that, so I shelved my dreams of joining the Wonderbolts to get a job to prove I could take care of myself and Rumble."
Razor smiled with approval.
"You did the right thing Thunderlane. I honestly don't trust Foal Protection Services at all, not with so many slipping through the cracks."
"Many?"
"Yes, while they do generally help many, many more still slip past them and into a hard life."
"So the Outcasts keep their eyes open and help them."
"Aye."
The two sat there drinking their tea went Thunderlane gazed at the medal on the center of Razor's bandanna.
"What's the tale behind gold star of the Prench Legion of Honor Order of merit?"
"The first time me crew and I took down a Prench Juggernaut, adding the ship to our growing fleet."
"Seems you've collected quite the number of trophies for your adventures here huh Razor." Thunderlane said with a smile.
"I have, some of them have quite the tales. Like thi-"
Razor cut himself off when his ears perked and he turned to the door.
"Come in Atlas."
The door opened and there was the said Changeling with her hoof raised to knock.
"How do you do that?!"
"My secret my love."
Atlas sighed while lowering her hoof.
"You drive me crazy sometimes, you know that."
"But you love me all the same."
"That's true, anyway we're having something odd going on with some of the protection runes. Their flickering on and off and it has some of the crew a bit freaked out."
"I'll take a look," Razor turned to Thunderlane, "guess we'll have to finish this talk later."
"Seems that way."
The two stood up and walked with Atlas out of the room, as they left Thunderlane took one last glance at the picture of Razor's original crew.
'I hope you found piece, you earned it long ago. The Sea of Legends, though still dangerous, is safer because of you efforts. Rest in piece.'
He turned his head forward as the door closed, not noticing a light shimmer travel across the picture.
Codex: Outcast Coves
Very early in the Outcast's history, soon after it formation, Razor realized he would need to know what was happening in the wider world if his grander plans were to bear fruit. So after some time he and his officers came up with the coves, a way to learn of and keep up with events of the outside world while staying hidden in the Sea of Legends.
Outcast Coves are locations set up in every known city and town throughout the know world, often take forms ranging from simple homes, various businesses, and even abandoned structures and staffed by both Changelings and creatures the same as the town or city's inhabitants. The number of the Coves heavily depends on the size of their location, for example a town like Ponyville would only have one while a city like Canterlot would have several,
The Coves serve numerous roles, including but not limited to;
Spying: Depending on where the Cove's agents are, they work in various jobs such as servants, waiters, and even soldiers. All this allows them to gather information and (as in Canterlot) because the Nobles and other "important" creatures see them as beneath them, they often gossip and talk without care (especially when drunk), allowing the hidden agents to get anything of use. (Though understandably they take the gossip and drunk talk with a grain of salt, preferring more reliable sources.) Even some Nobles are Outcast agents.
An example of agents in the military would be the Unicorn Flame Shield, a high-ranking Royal Guard who has access to information that other agents wouldn't.
Keep in mind that although the Outcast agents, being essentially sleeper agents, could do massive damage to an enemy nation, Razor and the Outcasts do not want to actually conquer other nations. They have the massive and still largely unexplored Sea of Legends for that.
Keeping track of events, both important and seemly less so: Tying into a Cove's Spy network, the agents keep track of events around them to keep their Outcast brothers and sisters updated and ready should anything happen that threatens the Outcasts.
Recruitment: Perhaps one of the most important roles, the Outcasts and their agents are always on the lookout for the unfortunate, the poor, the unwanted, the outcasts, the down on their luck, the forgotten, the orphans, and those who have nothing else, and bring them into the Outcasts for a better life and swell the ranks. This sometimes ties into the Spy network as some of the recruits stay and provide information of their own.
These are just three of the roles a Cove serves.
The agents are well equipped for their jobs, carrying hidden weapons, magic-boosters, anti-magic objects and other items along with years of combat training and experience. They generally pool what they gather at the Cove they are working out of then end it to the Archduke via messagefire lighters but if the situation requires it the agents all carry special Changeling comm beetles allowing them to contact Razor directly, though they only do so when they know for sure that they are alone. If the trash hits the fan and they can't use these two methods they fall back on the hive mind of Atlas' hive.
The Cove agents are very careful and take as many precautions to avoid being discovered as they possibly can, including agents meeting in dark alleys, or even outside town/city limits and then scanning themselves or each other if in a team for any methods of tracking before heading to the Cove after making sure they are not being followed.