//------------------------------// // Chapter 16: Aboard the Dragon of the Depths #3 // Story: High Seas of Adventure // by Silver Dragon Blade Wing //------------------------------// Dragon of the Depths The Next Day Angel Wings was walking towards the Main Tavern when Atlas stopped her, saying they needed to talk. Atlas brought Angel to a more private area where they sat down. "Am I in trouble?" Angel asked, looking nervous. "No Angel, I just need to talk to you. I'm going to you a question and I want an honest answer." "Okay, what's the question?" "Well, you know how you and White have been hanging around together." -Angel nods yes.- "Do you have a crush on him?" Atlas' voice was soft, but serious. Angel thought for a minute, then answered. "I think so, he treats me very well, he makes me laugh, comforts me when I'm sad, and the list goes on." A light blush colored her cheeks. "And he is cute." Angel finished quietly. Atlas smiled. "Good to know, and yea, he is a cutie." Her face turned serious again. "Now Angel, I wouldn't normally stick my nose in this but since it involves White Fang, I feel like I need to clear somethings up." Angel looked worried for a second before Atlas continued. "It's okay Angel, I have nothing against you having a crush on him. In fact, I encourage it." "Then what do you need to clear up?" "White has had very bad luck with love, White has had three Marefriends in the past, all of which did not end well at all. The first one was a gold digger who tried to leech off his guard job, the second cheated on him, and the third humiliated him in ways best left unsaid. The poor Stallion hasn't even shared a bed with a Mare yet, even after White joined the Outcast due to him closing his heart to that kind of love." "Really?! Poor guy. but then... why would he have a crush on me if he closed his heart?" "Because somehow, someway, you got through that lock. Which means he is opening his heart again, if only a little bit. When White told me and Snowy last night it shocked us both speechless, it's been at least nineteen years since White closed his heart, so him willing to open it again after so long is nothing short of a miracle." Angel sat there processing this, she must have did something right for White to open his heart again. But the question was, what?" "So what must I do?" "Well Angel, just keep being yourself with him, if he's opening his heart to you, it must mean he thinks you're the one. Its you choice whether or not you return those feelings, but please be gentle with him, he's suffered far too much heartache already." "I understand Atlas, I really do think I return those feeling. I'll just see where it goes." "And that's all I ask, I see White as a brother and I do not want him to suffer more." Angel nodded and stood up with Atlas, they went their separate ways with the latter walking to meet up with Razor while the former when into the Main Tavern thinking over what Atlas told her. As she entered the Main Tavern she looked around, soon spotting the Albino Thestral sitting by himself drinking some coffee and reading a book. After thinking for a minute she walked over to him. White was too focused on his book as he jumped when he felt someone sit next to him, looking over he saw Angel next to him smiling in that cute way he liked. "Hey Angel, you got me there. Just don't tell Razor, he'd kick my tail for not being aware of my surroundings." He said with a light chuckle, Angel giggled as well. "Don't worry I wouldn't," She than let out a breath, "White, I want to talk to you about something." White looked a bit surprised but closed his book after marking his place and fully turned to her. "Go ahead Angel." "Is it true you have a crush on me?" She asked as gently as she good. White startled a bit, as a very visible blush formed over his face. As he tried to stammer out a response Angel just smiled softly and placed a hoof over his mouth. "White, relax and breath." He did and after taking a calming breath his answered. "Yes Angel... I do, I understand if you're not in-" He was cut off when Angel placed her hoof over his mouth again. White looked at the hoof in surprise before looking at its owner, Angel had a soft smile across her face as she lowered her hoof. "White, I am interested. True be told I have a crush on you too and I think you're cute." She shifted over and leaned against his chest, both her and White blushing at the contact. "Atlas told me about your history with love, and I want to help you. Even if it doesn't work out I'm willing to try, and I promise I will not hurt you like those other three. My question is," -she looks him in the eye- "are you willing to at least give it a try?" White was frozen of a minute as he tried to process what she had said, but after he recovered a small but happy smile appeared and he wrapped his forelegs and wings around the Pegasus Mare as he closed his eyes, nuzzling her head and taking in the scent of her mane. Angel closed her eyes and breathed softly, relaxing into White's embrace. They hadn't noticed the room going quite as the others took notice, the crew all had smiles while Angel's friends looked surprised at the scene, Atlas entered the room and saw it as well, a huge smile appearing on her face. 'Looks like the S.S. WhiteWing is a go, now to get the S.S. SkyTrail launched.' Snowheart's Quarters Snowy was writing in her "dream journal" as the crew had come to call it. She had started this to keep track of her nightmares and to see how well she was recovering, so far it seemed she was doing well, she had recovered faster than the last time she had one and they were starting to get fewer and fewer as time went on. Snow couldn't help but feel proud of herself, she had come a long way from the broken shell she once was. The nightmares were also becoming more faded and less real as well, once in a while a nasty one hit but those were few and far in between. She set her quill down and turned to one of the pictures hanging on the wall, this was her "Wall of Memories", were every picture that held a treasured memory for her sat. The one she was looking at show a group photo of her and the other Head Officers, all with big smiles and cuddled around her, with Silver laying down on her head wearing her hat. She lifted a hoof and gently ran it along the frame. "Words will never describe how much you guys mean to me, you found me a broken shell of a Mare who had just escaped from seven long years of pain, pulled me aboard and over time healed me. That is something I can never repay, you give me something to fight for. Now... hundreds of thousands of slaves, former or otherwise, rise up against their "masters" and free themselves from that life because of me, I became a symbol of freedom to them, I can't thank you guys enough for you companionship. Especially you Silver, you gave me one of the things I truly desire; to be a mother, after it was ripped from me all those years ago. Thank you, and thank you Razor and Atlas for naming me as Silver's Godmother if anything happens to you two. That for me, is among the greatest honors." Snow's smile faded as she looked away from the wall to a picture frame sitting on the table, in the picture was a younger Snowheart with both eyes intact, and her family. Her husband, a Unicorn named Dusk Light with a dark charcoal coat, blue eyes, mane and tail of orange and red like a sunset, and a Cutie Mark of a bass lantern giving off the glow of a setting sun. And her three foals; Storm Runner, a Pegasus Colt with a snow white coat, a mane and tail of ice blue and red, and blue eyes. Wisp Light, a Unicorn Filly with a blue coat, red mane and tail, and orange eyes. And finally Sparkle Field, a Unicorn Filly with a orange coat, ice blue mane and tail, and red eyes. As the picture had been taken before everything when down years ago none of the foals had their Cutie Marks at the time. Snow let out a shuttering breath as she picked up the picture and gently ran a hoof over it, even after so many years had passed she still remembered that horrible day and likely would for the rest of her life, when her husband and Foals were taken from her by the Caribou. Dusk and Storm have put up a very good fight trying to protect her and the Fillies, even if it was futile. Snow allowed a tiny smile as she remembered how proud of Storm she had been as he tried his hardest, though it faded again as she remembered kicking and screaming as she was taken from them. She set down the picture and carefully pulled the diamond ring off her eyepatch, Dusk had hoof-crafted this ring for months before he proposed to her. Snow had tackled him shouting yes over and over as she nuzzled his neck, when the Caribou had taken them they had also taken her ring. Years later she would kill her "master" and reclaim her ring, she remembered it like it was yesterday. Flashback Fourteen Years Ago The Outcast invasion of the Caribou base had gone off far better than anyone thought, the Caribou were caught completely by surprise and fell like cheap walls. The leader had tried to escape only to run right into Snowheart, as it turned out this Caribou was her former "master", and she had a murderous look in her eye. She showed him no mercy and each of her blows was fueled by years of pain and rage. By the time the others had reached her Snow had pretty much turned the head, neck, and another lower part into hamburger with her sword and she was still attacking even though the Caribou was long dead by that point. "SNOWHEART STOP THAT'S ENOUGH!!!" Razor grabbed her and pulled her back, the Pegasus Mare dropping her sword with a clatter as she buried her head into the Kirin's chest, sobbing heavily. "It's okay Snowy, it's over now, he can't hurt anyone else again." Razor said rubbing her back. As he did this Fire Gem noticed something in the late Caribou's pocket, he pulled it out to reveal a diamond engagement ring in his claws. Snowheart, as if something told her, lifted her head as Fire Gem examined it, the second she saw it her eye widen as a gasp left her mouth. Fire Gem turned to her, "Snow?" "Fire Gem, please let me see that ring." She said, he gave it to her and she flipped it over to look at the bottom. After a few seconds Snow got a look best described as pained relief. "Snow?" White Fang asked. "What's wrong?" Apollo Asked. Snow flipped the ring over and showed them the bottom, there was a set of five words, no names, on it; Snowheart, Dusk Light, Storm Runner, Wisp Light, and Sparkle Field. They looked at Snow who answered their unspoken question. "It's my engagement ring, the same one my husband gave me when he proposed so long ago. The two of us craved our names into the ring, adding the kids names after they were born, to seal the bond we had with each other. I though it was gone for good when they took me." Her friends looked at her with sympathy, than each one hugged her one by one. "At least you have it back now Snowy, do you want to go back to the ship?" Razor asked, Snow nodded yes. Atlas gently put her hoof around the Pegasus's back and led her out of the room as Razor burned the remains of the Caribou. "I hope your black soul rots in the deepest parts of the abyss, you filth." He snarled at the ashes. Snow let out a sad sigh as she rubbed the ring, as far as she knew her husband and Foals were dead, in all the years that had passed none of her contacts in the NTU or Caribou areas had seen anyone who looked like them, she knew that they had been placed on a ship bond to Caribou waters. She later found out that the ship had vanished during a large storm and hadn't been seen since, while she had accepted that they were most likely dead a small part of her refused to let go of the hope that they were still alive and out there. After all, just because the ship disappeared didn't mean it sink. So there was a chance, however slim it was, that they were alive somewhere. "At least the four of you didn't suffer the same seven years of pain I did, and Dusk, if you are alive out there, please have the kids with you and that you are okay." She let out a shuttering sigh as she almost had a breakdown as she shoved the horrible memories back into the deepest and darkest parts of her mind, Snow knew that even if she was getting better, it would still be a long time before she fully recovered. She placed the ring back in it's place on her eyepatch, while she might never see them again she held onto the ring to keep them close. "Even if I never see my family again, I at least hope I can get closure for all that pain." She picked up her hat and walked to her door, opening it to find Fire Gem with his fist raised to knock. He lowered it and spoke. "Hey Snowy, I was wondering if you wanted to- are you okay Snow?" He started asking before he noticed her eye was red from crying, his face going from relaxed to concerned. "I'm okay Fire Gem, just remembering things." Fire Gem pulled her into a hug which she nuzzled into. "Thank you." "You looked like you really needed it." "I did, now what were asking?" "Oh right, I wanted to know if you wanted to join us for poker night tonight?" "I think I am, I could us the company right now." They pulled out of the hug, Snow closed her door and walked with Fire Gem down to the game room, the latter had his wing over the former's back the entire way. Razor's Office Razor had just finished writing in his log book and was going over the latest reports from Outcast scouts and spies, the Equestrian fleet had arrived several days ago and was on the move. They had ran into a small Skeleton Fleet but defeated it with only minor damage to their own ships and no losses, still Razor was a tad bit worried. The Equestrian flagship, the Ailcorn of Freedom, carried the Ailcorn Sisters and other important creatures. Razor wondered just how this would effect things, while so far they hadn't moved towards Outcast waters and he had send the message for Outcast pirates to stay clear for now he knew it was only a matter time before something happened. Thankfully the Equestrian fleet was after him so they would try to find and follow the Dragon of the Depths, which would mean they would be clear of Outcast operations, at least for the time being. Still, he did wonder how he could fight them when they finally met. Razor wasn't stupid, taking on two Ailcorns, especially ones as powerful as Celestia and Luna, even without backup from the others was a dangerous game. Both had lived for over a thousand years and had been through many battle, especially during Discord's first reign. On the other hoof however, after Discord fell and Luna turned into Nightmare Moon and was banished, either had seen any real combat afterwards; Celestia was busy keeping Equestria together and Luna was stuck on the moon for a thousand years so it was most likely their skills in that regard were rusty. Still Razor wasn't going to leave that to chance, He got up and walked up to the level above his office. Know as his personal archive, this room was were he stored letters, scrolls, books, and other pieces of information he had gathered over the years, he also stored papers that shouldn't see the light of day. The room was lined with bookshelves with some tables and chests spread over the floor, the former covered in metal cases filled with papers. He walked up to one of the shelves and ran a claw along the spines, reading as he went. "Let's see, I know it's here. Lore of the Sea of Legends, Outcast History, Pirate Codex Copy, ah ha. The Ailcorns 101." Pulling the book out he opened it to the right page, this book held everything the Outcasts knew about Ailcorns. But because their was only four now it didn't have much, and it didn't dig into their personal lives either, the Outcast may have been pirates but they were respectful towards another's privacy unless they were a threat to others. This book only listed things like the Ailcorns combat skills, hangouts, and other tidbits like that but nothing to private. Giving it a quick read he noted that Celestia and Luna combat skill greatly varied; Celestia was more of a planner and long range fighter while Luna was a brawler with powerful combat magic to back that up. Another thing that stood out was that the two seem to relay highly on their magic in a fight. Once he read this he put the book back he than walked over to one of the small chests on the table. Taking a key out he opened it and pulled out a dark purple crystal shaped like a diamond with the bottom greatly stretched out and the top flattened down but still pointed. This was known as a Void Crystal, when smashed on the ground it would cover a ten meter radius around that spot with dark purple smoke that blocked any magic, regardless of it type or kind, from working at all. Now once the effect left the area or the smoke dissipated the magic would work just fine again. Razor figured if he was going to face off against Ailcorns in the near future he would need some things to even the playing field a bit, however he would prefer not to use Void Crystals unless it was absolutely necessary as they were rare, expensive, and had to be refined before they could be used which was a long process. Now, it was common knowledge that Kirins of all four types were formidable fighters but they could still be beaten like any other creature. For this reason Kirins would try to even things out in their favor in a fight and they were more then willing the fight very dirty if they needed to, but there were lines they wouldn't cross if they could avoid it. After Razor slipped the crystal into a hidden pocket he returned downstairs and sat down to read some reports when a stream of smoke entered the room through an open window, forming on his table into a medium sized wooden box with a letter fixed to the top. The box was marked with the Outcast symbol and the rune marks of the Outcast's research and development division, that alone catching his attention. "Well, I wonder what those gearheads have got for me now." The smile on his face showed he was joking around. Razor took the letter off the box, opened it and started reading; Dear Archduke Razor Tail I hope this letter didn't come at a bad time but I have some good news for you. We have a number of prototype projects we would like you to see, which are as follows; Automatic Gardner Gun (Comes in a few forms) Double-Barreled Blunderbuss Pump Blunderbuss Air Wing Infantry Cannon And Infantry Mortar You can come take a look whenever you're ready, just send us a heads up first so we can set up. I also included a gift for you, as more and more smiths with the skills needed to make centerfire ammunition join the Outcasts and more of our own smiths learn we can really start replacing our caplock and pinfire ammo with the centerfire. It will still be a few years before the change is fully complete but hay, one must start some were. Anyway, inside the box that came with this letter is a brand new set of twelve centerfire revolvers for you to replace you caplock ones. Blinking Razor set the letter down and opened the latch on the box and lifted the lid. In side were twelve huge centerfire revolvers, pulling one out Razor noticed it looked exactly like his caplock ones, with customizations and all. He looked at the letter again. I've also included some empty cartridges so you can get use to reloading them quickly as I figure you're use to the caplock's own reload time, along with several bags of ammo for the guns as well. Just a word of advice, these guns, due to their larger caliber, will kick harder then your already big caplocks so you may want to get use to that as well. On that note as well, these revolvers hold five shots instead of six but I can fully guarantee that one shot will be enough to take most targets down. Speaking of rounds, we also have some new types of special ammo for you to take a look at along side the prototypes. I think that's it, I'll send anything I might have forgotten later. Till next time Boss. Power Gears, Head of Outcasts R&D Razor smiled, Power Gears always had a good head on his shoulders even if he had some bolts loose. Setting the letter down again he checked the box again, finding everything Gears had said was in there. He picked up one of the new revolvers and started practicing reloading it with the empty cartridges. After a bit of time he started getting the hang of it but he would need more time before he was fully use to it. He set the pistol back in the box and locked it, setting it aside as he needed to head down to the games room as tonight was poker night. Games Room The Games Room on the Dragon held pretty much everything one would expect; a series of pool tables in the center, clustered around a large poker table. There were even a few arcade machines along the left wall, which one of the Ponyville Colts, by the name of Button Mash, was very happy about. At the moment the Head Officers and Silver sat at the poker table with everyone not on watch duty gathered around the them watching the current game, so far Night Mist was in the lead with the most betting coins while Apollo was in last, everyone else was more or less in the middle. Besides the coins several types of snacks sat among them. Eventually Night called, causing the others but Silver to fold. Silver looked up after examining his cards. "Dad, quick question; What is it called when you have Five cards in sequence?" "That would be a Straight son, why do you ask?" Silver looked at his cards again, then a devious smile slowly appeared over his face. "Than I bet all of this." He said pushing all of his betting coins into the center, or as close as he could reach anyway. Night, who had looked like he was going to win, looked at his own cards before groaning and laying them down, revealing a Full House. "Take it." He grunted. Silver laid down his cards, to reveal that they were just random cards. Jaws dropped in surprise, Night looked at the still grinning Silver. "You bluffed me! I don't believe." Night faceplanted into the table, the others just either smiled or lightly congratulated the Colt who smile happily. The game continued for several more rounds with each of them winning once through Razor won three times before Silver's eyelids began to droop, followed by him having troubled keeping his head up. Atlas stood up noticing this. "Okay, I think it's time for bed Silver." "But mom I'm not- *thump* -zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz." Once again he fell asleep mid-sentence and his head fell onto the table, causing everyone else to laugh lightly or coo at how cute he looked. Atlas picked Silver up and left to put the youngster to bed as the others packed, everyone else either turned in right away or finished something before heading to bed themselves. Imperator's Grave Housing Area In a single story made for the back half of an old Sloop a Stallion sat at his deck, writing a letter to his lost wife. Snowy It has been hard on us all these years, I know you are most likely dead by now but I feel these letters, even if you never read them, are the only way I can cope with losing you. I've been doing well, same with the kids. Storm Runner has just proposed to his Marefriend of five years today, who said or more like yelled yes over and over again as she tackled him. Wisp Light, and Sparkle Field are also doing well working as barmares in the Tavern, and they are being treated well by both the staff and customers. Still, the kids are still having nightmares of that day, with Storm waking up in a cold sweat each time, his Marefriend Sapphire Wind has help a lot but he still blames him for not being strong enough that terrible day. I myself still miss your warm body next to mine, your beautiful wings wrapped around me, as we just cuddled together. The Stallion wiped his tears though some fell onto the paper and continued. I still deeply miss you my beautiful soulmate, almost every night I dream of waking up next to you again only to find that out it was only a dream. I hope that you eventually escaped your personal Tartarus, I hope that your are free. Please be free. He let out a shakely sign as more tears fell. Your loving Husband and soulmate, Dusk Light. My heart will forever belong to you. Dusk set his quill down, used his magic to dry the ink, than rolled the scroll up and placed it in a bottle, sealing it tight with a heavy cork. He stood up and walked outside, stopping to check on his foals, finding them sleeping together as they always have after they escaped slavery thinks to that storm. They had been picked up by a passing Merchant and brought to Imperator's Grave, where they had lived since. Dusk was pulled out of his thoughts when he noticed Storm starting to whimper and cry in his sleep, signaling he was having one of his nightmares. His Marefriend, Sapphire Wind, who have moved in with them soon after they started dating, noticed as well as she turned over and wrapped her strong Earth Pony legs around him. Storm relaxed slightly though still cried as Sapphire held him tight against her chest, her head resting atop his. Dusk smiled happily, knowing at least Storm was in good hooves. He had accepted Sapphire into his house when he learned she didn't have anywhere to go after her parents died, leaving her alone and without any bits. Now, he was very proud to call her his daughter in-law as she helped as much as she could with their pain. She would even comfort Storm's sisters when they needed it. 'I know you would have loved Sapphire as much as we do Snowy.' Dusk soon left the house and walked along a small beach close by, he walked until the waves were gently creasing his legs. He than took the bottle with the letter safely sealed inside and tossed it with all his might into the waves. He watched as it floated away and soon out of sight, once it was he stood there for a few minutes, enjoying the cool and gentle feeling of the sea air was water flow over him, soothing his pain at least a little. As he turned to head back he spotted one of the flags of the Outcasts of the Abyss lightly swaying in the wind, he lifted up a hoof and saluted it with a smile. "Thank you, Outcasts of the Abyss, for everything you've done to make the Sea of Legends a safer place to live. Maybe one day I'll sail a ship of my own, but not for awhile yet." Dusk than headed home, singing a phase from a song he had hear here. "Razor Tail Iron Horn Blood Fang Silver Tail Skull and bones, for each his own Hoist the colors, our colors red Razor Tail Iron Horn Blood Fang Silver Tail Skull and bones, for each his own Hoist the colors, our colors red"