The descent to Marwaii feels like an elevator to Sunset Shimmer. There is a noticeable lurch upon their initial descent. After that, she can't feel it much even as they continue to descend.
The view of the island from above is fantastic! Crisp, deep blue oceans surround lighter teal shores around the island. She can see several dormant volcanoes rising from the center of the island. Even from this height, Sunset can make out several gorgeous waterfalls cascading down those mountains except, instead of water, it is rainbows. The majority of the island is clearly tropical.
As they continue to descend, they pass a few native pegasi who are working tirelessly on the weather to maintain this tropical paradise. Some of the pegasi mares are dancing on clouds instead as they sway their hips back and forth while wearing grass skirts. Still more pegasi flew up to the airship itself in order to welcome the new visitors with a native-style greeting. Some of them also bequeath a crown or necklace full of tropical flowers. Sunset, herself, is among those to receive such generous gifts. As far as she can tell, the natives are not charging a bit for those gifts. It is just pure native hospitality.
Of course, they might recoup their financial loss later with some of their tourist attractions, Sunset realizes with a cunning grin. And dang, it sure works on me. I do, indeed, feel very welcome here.
Rumble, for his part, flies off the ship and takes pictures of some of the natives that fly near the ship or dance on clouds close by.
Further and further they descend. Eventually it becomes clear to Sunset that the helmsman is planning to take this airship all the way down to the crisp, clear ocean waters. Just before the vessel actually does touch down on water, First Officer Desora steps out of the bridge and warns the passengers standing on the top deck, “Everyone, hang onto something tight. The moment this ship touches down into water, there will be quite a lurch forward.” Then she calls to those standing at the bow of the ship, which includes Sunset Shimmer, “As for those standing on the bow of the ship, brace yourself. You may get wet up there.”
“Ooo! Really? Do you promise?” Cheese asks excitedly. She does not even wait for an answer before racing to the front of the ship. This causes Desora to roll her eyes and shake her head. “C'mon, Cozy!” Cheese calls back to her friend. “This'll be fun!”
Cozy giggles a little before moving to follow her friend.
Sunset looks around herself for anything she can grab to brace herself. She notices one of the thick belt buckles which attaches the giant balloon above to the ship. She surrounds her hoof around the belt then leans away from it in order to make the grip tot. Since she is still relearning how to pick up things with her magic hooves, she decides that this will have to do for the moment.
With wonder, Sunset notices the gleam of the sun twist around the ship as they circle in for a landing. She's a bit startled to notice the speed they are traveling before landing in the water. As a result, she braces herself hard. She even winces some.
Rumble flies ahead of the ship then twists about to fly backwards as he aims his camera back at the ship, presumably to take a picture as soon as the airship connects with the water. Upon seeing this, Sunset privately concedes how useful it is for a photographer to be a species like a pegasus. It is so much easier to control the angle of the shot for someone who can fly in the air. A unicorn could float a camera in the air too, but without the ability to actually see through the camera, it limits that potential advantage into a blind shot.
When the ship does connect with the water, it causes a giant lurch forward, as Desora promised. A giant wall of water also shot up two sides around the angle of the bow. Cheese cheers enthusiastically. As a result of all of this, the velocity of the ship is cut in half in seconds. After that Sunset thinks that the ship is still moving across the waters fairly rapidly. It takes about three seconds for her head to turn fully right to left as she locks her gaze on a single wave they are rapidly passing. It seems to her the airship is skipping across the top of the waves like a skipping stone. The likely cause of it is the balloon above. Even though they are on the water now, that balloon continues to make the airship much less heavy than a typical seagoing vessel.
Now that the vessel is on the water, Sunset is noticing a much stronger rise and fall as it sails the choppy waters. This causes Cheese to laugh with glee as if the ship is a fun ride.
Sunset realizes that some may quickly get sick while riding these choppy waters. She knows that her human friend, Applejack, definitely could not find her sea legs throughout the majority of a previous sea cruise. She claims she is a lot better about it now.
A blast of wind hits Sunset. It almost knocks her off balance. When she recovers, she leans into the wind and shuts her eyes as she savors this experience. The scent of ocean mist mixes with floral perfume. Every breath she takes fills her with abundant life and energy.
Up above, a flock of seagulls follow the airship. As they do so, they sometimes squawk at each other.
“Cozy, I want you to do something for me,” Rumble requests as he flies in close enough to speak to the mare without having to shout. “Spread your wings wide.”
“Like this?” Cozy asks as she proceeds to do so. The moment she does, however, she almost loses her balance as the heavy winds hit her even harder.
“Lean into the winds,” Rumble encourages.
Cozy does so. When she does, she regains her balance. During that time, the wind ripples through her mane, tail, and feathers of her wings.
“That's it!” Rumble cheers. “Now, I want you to adopt an adventurous smirk. Narrow your eyes a bit with a daring look as if you're challenging the winds to knock you over, but you know you won't let it.”
Cozy does so.
“Excellent! Now hold that pose,” Rumble says before flying backwards and further ahead of the ship. He lifts his camera and aims it back at Cozy. When he takes a shot, Cheese spontaneously photobombs it at the right moment by leaning in the way and giving a silly expression.
“Cheese! Get out of the way!” Cozy gripes at her friend.
Cheese giggles but then gets out of the way. As she does so, she says, “Sorry! I just couldn't help myself.”
Rumble chuckles a little as he shakes his head before lifting up the camera again in preparation to take another shot. Sunset presumes he takes several before he is satisfied.
“Thanks, Cozy,” Rumble says with a quick salute to her with a hoof.
“Look, Cozy! Dolphins!” Cheese cheers as she looks down at the water in front of the ship.
Both Cozy and Sunset look down. Sure enough, a pod of dolphins appears to have taken a shine to follow along the side and front of the ship. Most of them swim pretty close to the surface. On occasion, some of the dolphins leap above the waters in an arc while maintaining their course ahead of the ship.
Rumble aims his camera down at their escorts and takes a few shots. Sunset hopes that he managed to capture some of them in the middle of a playful leap who often do a graceful spin in mid-leap. Considering his previous skills and his natural talent, she actually finds this likely.
“I want a copy of some of those pictures,” Cozy requests up to Rumble.
“Me too!” Cheese agrees enthusiastically.
“Don't worry. I got ya covered,” Rumble promises confidently as he continues to take photos.
The spirit of adventure enthralls Sunset, but it is momentarily diminished a bit as she thinks about her mother. Right now, her mother is swimming in a higher dimension and is being filled with knowledge and experience far beyond the mortal realm. So much so that it made Sunset feel momentarily primitive while standing next to her mother's more evolved spirit, but she also recalls that her mother said Sunset's spirit will be greater still when she moves on to the afterlife. Moments like this are probably why it will be so. Sunset Shimmer realizes that she always was an adventurer at heart. She is brave enough to take some very daring chances. As a result, it has considerably expanded her knowledge and experience. It's far more than just tidbits, however. She feels enhanced somehow. Thrill and wonder fill her being, making her feel so grateful to be alive!
Wait for me, Mother, Sunset inwardly requests as she looks up into the sky with eyes shining in happy tears. When I re-join you, I will have so many wonderful stories to tell!
It is not until Stygian sets his hooves on the docks when it occurs to him that, not only could a potentially dangerous situation be ahoof (despite appearances), but he hasn't been in a situation like this in many, many years. It was almost two decades ago.
Back then, Stygian used to be fairly competent in this but that relied upon a few contingencies. For the most part, the librarian strategist is at his best when he has a lot of research and prep time before engaging in whatever monster the Pillars were dealing with. His companions were always more accustomed to playing by the tips of their hooves with a few exceptions, but Stygian never felt secure in an adventure even with a plan.
Now it occurs to him that he has had decades of being complacent and waking up every morning with the realization that it is very unlikely anything will try to kill him today. As a result, it might take him some time to get back into the groove again.
“Are you alright there, Professor?” Prince Salizar asks fairly casually as he disembarks from the plank leading up to the ship. After he asks that, the short scholar takes a moment to assess the prince's attitude. Not only does the prince retain his regal bearing, but he also holds himself with the kind of confidence like he can easily hoofle danger even if it presents itself. No ordinary monarch would act like that and truly mean it. This stallion must have some true skills. This isn't just a prince, he's a true adventurer. Stygian had seen his like before, sort of.
“Ah! Don't be daft,” Rockhoof discourages as he disembarks the ship. The plank audibly creaks due to the warrior's heavy weight. Since it happens with Rockhoof, it is surprising that Curb Stomp doesn't cause as much of a disturbance, especially since he stands more upright. That would mean even more weight is pressing down at two points instead of being spread out on four hooves. “Thee ol' professor may be an adventurer at 'eart, but inside, 'e's still an ol' softie.”
“Tarry naught long with us,” Stygian advises his large friend. “I don't want other ponies associating you with us so soon.”
“Aye. Don't ya be worrying about that, wee lad,” the large stallion assures. “Ah be shuffling off nary before long. Besides, there is sexy island mares to be had. Aye! Now this is ma kind o' adventure.”
Rockhoof keeps his word by moving along. It doesn't take him long to be intercepted by a dozen islanders who gladly greet him with friendly native hospitality.
Stygian smiles at his old large friend fondly even though he also experiences a small shade of jealousy. Wherever Rockhoof struts, he ventures forth boldly and with deserved confidence. That isn't just a byproduct of his culture. It is also a result of his experience, power, and just who he is as a pony. It’s almost as if Rockhoof’s scrawny true form is the real lie. The magic that later augmented him simply caused him to be what he was always meant to be at heart.
Stygian can be mighty too, even on a grand scale, but it usually is with a lot of preparation and/or dark magic. Until then, he really needs to stay on the tips of his hooves because almost anything can easily kill him.
The scholar/pony looks back at the prince just in time to notice something interesting. Apparently the prince whispered something to his lovely retainer Mirage. Whatever it is, it causes Mirage to close her eyes as she bows before rising, opening her eyes again, then takes off. Stygian's eyes follow her in surprise before passing that same look back to the prince.
“You're splitting her apart from us now, Your . . .” Stygian almost finishes that question with the word “Majesty” out of sheer habit, but stops himself when he realizes it might be a wise idea not to over advertise the prince's royal heritage in open public. At least not until it is strategically sound. He swallows hard, then decides to start over by saying, “You know that splitting the party too much may be an issue later if we have to depart from this island in a hurry. If you don't mind me saying so, I don't think it's wise at this time.”
“Oh, don't you worry about my vassal,” the prince calmly assures as he uses a small bottle to pour more bubble soap into his pipe. “She'll meet up with us if we have to depart in a hurry. In the meanwhile, I sent her on an errand, for I have more than one issue to deal with on this island.” He floats his bottle away in the saddlebag under his white cape and floats his pipe to his lips. “Anyway, there is no use side-stepping my question.”
Stygian sighs, then admits, “Honestly, Your-”
Pony feathers! I almost said it again! He mentally berates himself.
“Well,” he starts over, “I consider it wise to remain on edge when engaging new and potentially hostile situations. Only a fool would allow complacency to excuse lack of alertness.”
“Well said, Professor,” the prince commends. “That said, there is no reason to be too uptight either, and I still have a formidable security force with me. Plus, I'm sure most of the natives are as friendly as they seem.”
“I'm sure they are,” Stygian nervously agrees as he sweeps the docks with a cautious look. When his gaze returns to the plank leading up to the ship, he sees Cozy, Sunset, Cheese, and Pink Heart disembarking. The professor is not the only one to feel a little nervous about watching the crippled doctor roll down the plank, but apparently the doctor's magic seems to have firm control over the wheels of her chair. The doctor is the last to disembark between the four. Sunset keeps sparing a quick glance back at her wheelchair companion cautiously.
“Where is she going?” Cozy asks when she reaches the base. Stygian follows her gaze and soon realizes that the princess is referring to Mirage.
“I sent her to do some errands,” the prince repeats, unbeknownst to Cozy.
“You sure that's wise?” Cozy checks. “You know that-”
The prince interrupts her with a lift of his hoof before saying, “I already had this discussion with the Professor. Yes, I am confident things will be fine. She'll be back on the ship before you know it if we have to take off quickly.”
Stygian notices the Equestrian princess gives the prince a slightly suspicious look. It is as if she's adding this unusual detail to the ever-growing list of mysterious facts about the prince's seemingly most demure vassal. Upon noticing her reaction, he feels relieved to realize he's not the only one keeping tabs on that mysterious mare.
“Well, you boys don't have too much fun without us,” Sunset playfully cautions. “As for me, I had always wanted to go to islands like this in the human world. Normally it's too expensive.” She sighs. “All I really wanted to do is spend some time relaxing and sunning myself on the beach. Alas, duty calls.”
Cheese breaks into a snicker before saying, “You want to sun yourself, Miss Sunset?”
“Hey, what can I say?” Sunset says with a simple shrug. “I am a girl who knows what she likes.”
“Well, if it's any consolation, you can admire the scenery along the way,” Pink Heart attempts to console. “But I need to have a look at the local medicines. We might need it for the trip ahead. I don't want us to continue our voyage unprepared.”
Cheese shrugs as she says casually, “Well, thanks to the communication crystals, we-”
“Shh!” Stygian hisses at her to shut her up. “Let's not be too blatant about that information while we're ashore, shall we?”
“Oh! Right. Sorry,” Cheese says with a sheepish grin.
“Come along,” Pink Heart bids as she magicks her wheelchair forward. “There is work to be done.”
“And what should I do?” Rumble asks as he lands upon the docks.
“You know what Glenda looks like, right?” Stygian asks Rumble quietly.
“Uh . . . I haven't met her personally,” Rumble tells the professor in the same volume. “That said, I have seen some pictures of her in the newspaper. Unlike her predecessor, Glenda isn't a novelist like Miss Yearling so I'm not as familiar with her. Still, I'm pretty confident I would recognize her when I spot her.” Rumble gains a shrewd look as he goes on to ask, “And let me guess . . . you want me to scout for her in the sky?”
“If you would be so kind,” Stygian acknowledges with a slight bow. “Meanwhile, you'll find us roaming the approximate-”
Rumble forestalls the professor with a lift of a hoof before saying, “Say no more, Professor. I'm sure I can spot you guys.” He looks at Curb Stomp before adding, “Especially this guy. I could probably spot him a mile away.”
“I see you got your camera too,” Stygian notes as he observes the device hanging from Rumble's neck. “Excellent. Be sure to take some pictures of anyone directly engaging either Glenda or I, but also be discreet about it.”
“Huh.” Rumble rubs the bottom of his chin as he says, “I haven't been a member of the paparazzi before . . . but I'm sure I can manage it.” He lowers his hoof back to the deck as he asks, “If I do spot her, you want me to fly back and inform you of her position?”
“Subtly,” Stygian instructs. “Don't approach us directly. Instead, take something reflective, like the lens of your camera, and use it to reflect the sunbeam in my general direction until it gets my attention. Once I look at you, wave to indicate where she is, but keep your distance.”
“Got it,” Rumble accepts with a nod, “but what if you or she gets into a scuffle?”
“That's why I want you to initially keep your distance,” Stygian informs. “When I give the signal, which will be a flare from my horn, I want you to primarily target anypony who is capable of shooting a projectile. Neutralize them before they threaten the rest of us too much. They are your top priority.”
“Curb Stomp and I will hoofle the rest,” the prince calmly assures Rumble before blowing a few bubbles from his pipe. “Well, that and Glenda too, of course, assuming she's capable of action.”
“Okay, but what if there isn't anypony armed with projectiles?” Rumble checks. “What do I do then?”
“In that case, hold back,” Stygian advises. “Chances are strong that the rest of us will be pretty well covered. I don't want you to . . .” He trails off as he considers this further, then says, “Actually, if it seems that we and Glenda are fine then I want you to keep an eye out for the innocent bystanders in the area. If they get into too much trouble, do whatever you can to help them but do it within your discretion. Do you understand? I'll leave that to your judgment call on what you can and can't hoofle.” Stygian peers at Rumble sharply as he asks, “Have you been in a crisis situation before?”
“Kind of,” Rumble answers. “Officially, no, but the Wonderbolts gave us some training on how to hoofle various crisis situations.”
“In that case, I'm sure you'll do fine,” Stygian figures. “Go then. We'll rendezvous with you later.”
“You got it!” Rumble affirms before he takes off.
“What a fine specimen of a stallion,” the prince's remarks before giving the professor a casual look while waving ahead of him. “Well then, shall we?”
Stygian sighs with regret as he lowers his magically hovering spyglass from his left eye before saying, “Sometimes I hate being right.”
“Let me guess,” the prince begins, “the lady is engaged in troublesome affairs?”
“From what I can tell from Rumble's wing signals, she isn't in a scuffle yet, but she is surrounded by eight potentially hostile characters. The situation might explode at any moment.”
“Then we'd best hurry,” the prince decides calmly before he canters ahead. “Not that I don't have confidence in her ability to hoofle this situation, but I still think it would be polite to render assistance when and if required.”
“Agreed,” Stygian concurs as he rushes to keep up with the prince. Because of his shorter legs, however, the scholar almost hast to break into a full gallop to keep up. “Truth be told, I thought all of these precautions would be unnecessary, but I had to take her reputation into account, and I did not want to rush in unprepared.”
“Are you certain you wish to participate in this personally, Professor?” the prince asks with a note of concern in his voice before offering, “You don't have to. I'm sure Glenda, my bodyguard and I can hoofle them. There is no need to expose yourself.”
Stygian grimaces before saying, “I admit, showing up personally is a strategic risk. I'm usually the last pony that should be in the front lines of danger, but that said, the asset is so valuable to acquire in this case. If there is anything I can do to help convince her to join us, or at least protect her from danger, even a little, then I want to be there to help.”
“That's noble and brave of you,” the prince commends, “but you're supposed to be the smart one here. When danger is a serious possibility, it is important to remember one's limits.”
“I suspect I'll get plenty of reminders of that as our journey continues,” Stygian informs grimly as they continue to hurry ahead. “Maybe it's best to get used to that now. I've probably been out of the adventuring saddle for far too long. When our circumstances warrant a change in attitude, I'll adapt as I must.”
“That's the spirit, I suppose,” the prince loosely accepts. “But do not confuse bravado for foolhardiness. When action starts, do the smart thing and fall back a little. Like myself, you are a unicorn anyway. I'm sure there is something you can do to assist us from a distance, but it's probably best not to draw too much attention to yourself unless you are certain you can hoofle it.”
“As I'm sure you are aware, there is no such thing as certainty and guarantees in an adventure,” Stygian counters. “Superior strategy and resources may stack the odds in favor of one side or the other at any given moment, but every creature involved in a scuffle always assumes some risk.” He frowns as he looks down. “That includes the innocent bystanders, if any.”
“Ah! There you go!” the prince cheers as he realizes something. “If a fight breaks out, please do what you can to guide innocent bystanders to safety. You told Rumble this too, and that was a wise precaution. You can follow through with that advice yourself. If Glenda sees that, she will respect that. That, in turn, may improve our odds of luring her to our cause.”
“I suspect our bait alone would be too tempting for her to resist joining us,” Stygian figures. “That said, your suggestion may be a wise call. I'll keep that in mind.”
Stygian peers ahead with a grim but also calculating look, then he announces, “In the meantime, we must also consider why these potential aggressors are here to bother her. It may be prudent to realize that they are either trying to hire her for a dangerous mission, or she already has her talons on something they want.” He peers at his adjacent racing partner sharply. “There might be some room for negotiation here, and that is your forte. Keep in mind, however, that if it involves something she already possesses, it might be too dangerous to pass on to them.”
“Which means we need more information,” the prince concludes, “and that won't occur much until we announce ourselves and get involved.”
Stygian nods as he looks forward as he says, “Aye.”
Stygian, Prince Salizar, and Curb Stomp continue to race ahead until they near Glenda and those who surround her. At that point the three slow down as they take careful stock of what's ahead of them. So far there isn't any active combat yet, but they can clearly sense the tension in the air. This seems to be particularly true for Glenda, for she is the one surrounded by some pretty burly ponies.
Like his partners, Stygian carefully assesses all of those who surround the lone griffin. In doing so, he quickly notices two patterns about this group very quickly. One is the fact they are all males, including the one currently talking to Glenda. The second fact is that they are all ponies, but Stygian can't spot a single pegasus among them except for the one currently talking to the adventuring griffin. Of all of them, only the one talking to Glenda seems the most civilized. The rest could pass for bouncers at a bar, except for the fact that they appear more scummy than the average bouncer.
Stygian narrows his eyes grimly when he notices some of the potential aggressors are on high platforms around this area. They are on balconies and are likely trespassing on private property of the natives. These mercenaries don't seem to care about that fact one bit. What's worse is the fact that all of them on the high ground are unicorns. Not only that, but they are visibly equipped with loaded crossbows which they'll no doubt wield with their horn magic when and if the fighting starts. They are not actively aiming them at Glenda yet, but they could at any moment. Those objects alone severely defy the spirit of the local natives.
Speaking of which, the scholar takes stock of the attitude of the innocent bystanders. Of them, the feedback he's getting is rather mixed. Some of them are roaming about and doing their own business while seemingly oblivious to this local tense situation. Others seem aware of it to a variable degree and it does seem to be growing as they alert others. Of those who do seem aware of a potentially hostile situation, they are keeping their distance but also observing. They are not afraid enough to panic and flee yet. Only a few are shuffling off nervously. This is especially true of those who have young in their presence.
Those archers are a major obstacle here, Stygian privately realizes. If a fight breaks out, they need to be neutralized as soon as possible. He grunts. It looks like Rumble might have to get involved with them after all. I wish that wasn't necessary, but he can probably hoofle them far better than any other innocent bystander in the area.
If a fight breaks out, the natives will probably scramble out of the area as quickly as they can. I doubt the aggressors will target them either unless they are convinced a hostage could be used to secure Glenda's cooperation. Given her reputation, that strategy might even work. He narrows his eyes with determination. We'll just have to make sure they are kept too busy to seriously consider that option. One thing that is in our favor is I don’t think they were expecting us at all, but that includes Glenda.
Looking around carefully, Stygian notices that there seems to be a total of four possible archers armed with loaded crossbows, all of which are currently positioned in high ground. He figures that chances are very strong that Glenda has noticed them, too. She's probably considering to fly out of the local area as soon as she can if a fight breaks out. That alone could ruin the archer's line of sight as soon as she scales over the buildings or under the pier. She'd probably take them out one by one as they scramble to reposition themselves.
Except for the one who is talking to her, none of the potential aggressors are fliers, so she could quickly assume air superiority. Even the one pegasus that is here seems to be a terrible flier because he's too overweight. He might be obese enough to prevent him from flying at all. He doesn't look to be a fighter anyway. He's the face that is here to negotiate with Glenda and order his goons around, but probably nothing else.
Next, Stygian peers sharply at the leader of the potential aggressors to see what he can discern about this stallion. Right off the bat, nothing immediately comes to the scholar in terms of recognition of this particular stallion but that does not surprise him at all. Even in his native time, Stygian tended to recognize only his scholastic partners, frequent customers of the library, and famous leaders. In this new time he's even more out of touch in a world that has a significantly higher population.
Still, some things can be gathered by examining this stallion personally. The one currently talking to Glenda is a well-dressed gentleman dressed in all white. Not only is his outfit white, but he is himself. White hide, wings, tail, mane, and slit mustache. Combined with his pink eyes, Stygian quickly gathers that this stallion is a straight-up pure albino pegasus who wears a fancy white outfit and a white fedora hat with a black stripe on it. From his outward attitude, the white stallion seems to be a gentlepony, but a strong danger instinct within the scholar insists this is not somepony he'd want to meet in a dark alley. There is a definite shady feeling to this guy which is made all the more obvious by the compony he keeps.
As for the rest, most of them are fairly brutish-looking earth ponies. They're here to serve as a reminder of the consequences of refusing their boss. On their time off, maybe they'd be the kind who could sing a lullaby or tell a story to lull young foals to sleep, but when they are on the clock, they might not have any qualms about breaking somepony's legs when their job calls for it.
As for Glenda, Stygian notes there is a lot of tension in her stance. She keeps glancing around her carefully in order to remain alert if anypony suddenly attempts to spring into action upon her. Not only that, but she seems concerned about the innocent bystanders too. To her credit, she is also the first to notice the approach of Stygian, Curb Stomp, and the prince. Her eyes alight with recognition of the prince in particular. Other than that, Stygian feels disturbed to notice that their presence seems to subtly bother her. It's as if she views them as an intrusion to this situation.
From an audible perspective, Stygian does not get the chance to gather much information. By the time he gets close enough to eavesdrop on this conversation, one of the boss's goons gives a whistle to signal for attention. Once the goon has it, the earth pony stallion nods at the approaching intruders. Doing so draws the albino pegasus's attention towards the newcomers. Once that happens, he pauses to assess everything he can about them. Of them, he seems interested in the prince in particular. At first Stygian wonderes why Curb Stomp didn't gather interested attention instead until he looks back and notices the bodyguard is here but a bit of a ways back as if not announcing his presence yet. The scholar wonders if that is an oversight until it occurs to him that this kind of approach might be a deliberate strategy on the prince's part.
“Can I help you, gentleponies?” the albino boss asks politely. “Are you lost or . . . do you have business with us or this fine lady here?”
“The latter,” the prince answers immediately. “If you don't mind.”
The mob boss cocks his head curiously at the prince as he says, “I don't mind as long as you wait your turn, Mister . . .” he leaves that word deliberately hanging in order to invite the prince to fill in the blank.
Stygian regards his partner as well, curious how the prince chooses to answer that particular question.
Prince Salizar floats his white cape back a bit as he bows slightly while announcing, “You, Sir, have the honor of addressing Prince Salizar Alabaster of Saddle Arabia.”
Stygian lifts his left eyebrow at the prince curiously for that announcement. For some reason, he wasn't expecting the prince to be honest with that response, or at least not that honest. He could have simply said he was a merchant and that might be fine. A full disclosure of his royal titles comes with some pros and cons. Which side is stronger depends upon whom he's engaging. In this case, the scholar doesn't think it was wise to be fully honest with this audience. If it was for Glenda's sake, he might understand, but she seems to recognize him anyway so a full disclosure doesn't seem necessary in her case.
Looking back at the mob boss, Stygian notices a glint of suspicion sink into the albino stallion’s eyes. He clearly doesn't believe the prince. He might even take that answer as a mockery.
Under these circumstances, Stygian can figure out why the boss gave that initial response.
Maybe the prince expects that response, Stygian figures. To what end? Does he hope to provoke a fight?
“A prince, huh?” the mob boss asks skeptically. “And of Saddle Arabia, you say? A place well known for their merchants, I see.” When he said that, his eyes drew back to Glenda. “It may be far fetched to believe an actual prince is here, even if I consider your reputation and the compony you tend to keep, but a merchant I can believe.” He points his cane at Glenda which is magically pressed to his hoof. “You didn't expect me to show up today so it's logical to conclude that they didn't expect me either. They came for you, Miss Glenda, which leads me to believe that you were expecting them.”
“You'd be surprised,” Glenda says tightly. “To be honest, I wasn't expecting any of you.” She shrugs lightly. “Well . . . I take that back. I half expected to run into you somewhere along the way. I heard of your contracts for hired mercenaries about your intentions to seek certain artifacts. How do you think I found out about them myself? And, of course, I knew I had to get to it first before it fell into the wrong hooves.”
The albino stallion lifts then stabs his cane back into the wooden pier floor as he says, “I know you beat my mercenaries to the Glazetec Temple. You were there. Some of the traps had already been set off, disabled, or safely bypassed. It seems you even found out the password to safely bypass the guardian golems of the temple. I tip my hat at you for that, Miss,” he says before promptly doing so. “You really do your homework. I should expect nothing less from you, the understudy of Miss Do.”
Stygian's eyes lit with horror and recognition the moment this stallion mentioned the Glaztec Temple. He heard of the history of that civilization and the dark artifact that is there.
“I make my own name in this profession, thank-you-very-much,” Glenda remarks in an insulted way. “I have nothing but admiration and respect for my old mentor, but everything I do in this profession is to my own credit. You would be wise to remember that.”
“Fair enough,” the stallion concedes with a bow. “As you said, in recognition of that fact, I have to consider that you have already planned ahead.” He rises from his bow. “You penetrated the temple, you found what you sought, and I think you already have a buyer lined up.”
“A buyer?” Glenda scoffs. “I think you're projecting too much. I don't think like you, Fernando Fedora. When I acquire dangerous artifacts, I do so specifically to keep it away from ponies like you, or to those you would sell it to.” She straightens herself with a look of dignity. “Unlike you, I have a higher calling. My interest is to protect this world, not destroy it.”
Fernando shakes his cane at Glenda as he says, “But nevertheless, you do have it. Until recently, I assumed you simply hid it somewhere. That might have been the most prudent course of action unless you knew you had the means of disposing of it somewhere, or should I say . . . somepony. I'm not in the business of second-guessing your private motives, Miss Glenda, and frankly, I don't care to that extent. I'm trying to be polite here, but there is only one thing I came after and, as you have no doubt guessed, I'm not taking 'no' for an answer on this.”
“Get used to disappointment, then,” Glenda warns. “Because 'no' is the only answer you'll get one way or another.” She sinks into a battle stance. “I'm not like your typical 'clients'. I don't capitulate to bullies like you. Rather, I defy them. Challenge me if you feel you must, but you'll meet with the same end as most of my opponents.”
“Are you sure we can't be civil about this?” Fernando wonders with a lift of a white eyebrow which is hard to see on his white hide. “Your merchant and his lackey notwithstanding, you may have noticed that you are quite surrounded, my dear.”
His lackey? Stygian reflects privately. He doesn't recognize me. Good. I'll use his ignorance to my advantage.
For that matter, he doesn't recognize the prince either. His Majesty does dress the role he claims to be, but he could just dismiss that as either a rich merchant instead or a well-disguised con artist. After all, those who work in the criminal underbelly may have a tendency to think that everyone thinks as he does.
Glenda shakes her head as she says, “I keep telling you, I wasn't expecting them either.” She throws a glare back at the pair in question. “Nor are they welcome to be here.”
“As I said, I'm here for my own business,” the prince reminds. “Your issues do not concern me unless you intend to hurt the lady here.” While still holding a mostly civil stance, the prince passes Fernando a warning look. “If that is your plan then I'm afraid that does interfere with my business. Personally,” he places a hoof to his white garment chest, “I'm all for civil business. That is the way I prefer to deal with my business. My bodyguard, on the other hoof, deals with a different business entirely.”
That introduction seems to be the signal Curb Stomp was waiting for before stepping up and stopping behind his liege. He stops there while folding his arms across his chest as he glares at those ahead of him menacingly.
Stygian notes the fact that it works, too. Despite the fact that these potential aggressors still outnumber them, they actually back off from the minotaur, some of them with wide-eyed expressions.
“I would like to assure you all that you have nothing to worry about him as long as we all agree to keep things civil,” the prince expresses. “The choice, of course, is yours.”
“Boss,” speaks a large gray earth pony stallion with a square bottom jaw and a short orange mane, “ya may pay me enough to follow your orders in general, but I'm telling you . . . I ain't signed up to attack some large, battle-hardened minotaur.”
In response to that comment, Fernando Fedora momentarily lost his composure. He growls to the lackey in annoyance, “You will either answer to me or Mace directly. I suggest you consider that wisely.”
Stygian observes Fernando's goons shiver in fright which leads the scholar to realize they are dealing with a toady. Fernando has his own boss in their organization. One they fear even more than the white-suited, plump, albino stallion. Just for that, Stygian levitates a scroll and quill with ink out of his saddlebag in order to literally write himself a note about that name; Mace. He adds to that name that it might be the true mob boss who is after whatever artifact Glenda took from the Glazetec Temple.
“Enough of this!” Fernando barks out in annoyance as he looks at Glenda again. “Earlier you alluded to the fact that you hid our prize somewhere, but if this so-called 'prince' came here to collect something from you, chances are strong you have what I seek in person. If you are not willing to give it to me willingly, I will have to resort to other means at my disposal to secure my prize. As I said, I did not come here to get no for an answer.”
Glenda says nothing in response to that threat. Instead of that, she takes a stance that is ready to herself. She observes sharply and narrowly at every threat around her in order to monitor who might engage her first. She also assesses her environment, those within it, and plans accordingly.
Professor Stygian has been holding himself ready this whole time. So, when everypony started moving in an aggressive way, he is the first to act by backing off while tensing his head and neck with a tight squint of concentration. The result is a build-up of energy gathering into his horn. Everypony else did not pay attention to it at first until he launches a brilliant flaring projectile high into the air which trails sparkling light. Once it ascends to a distance of about forty-five feet, the light explodes into a bright white flash which is followed by a shower of cascading sparkles.
The reaction to that spell for most of the battlefield is to pause and assess this. Very few know what it means so most of the potential combatants watch this because they aren't certain if it will be a threat to them. Even Glenda analyzed it for a moment. The only one who completely ignored it is Curb Stomp who immediately charged into battle.
Other than the raging minotaur, to her credit, Glenda is the next to recover. While the distraction briefly held the attention of every hostile pony around her, she charges between the thick of a dozen hostile ponies which, at first, seems like a tactical error to Stygian until it occurs to him that her new position affords her cover from all the archers above. Sure, her shields will probably attack her, but the archers can no longer hit her without going through their own companions.
More than likely Curb Stomp kind of ruined her plans by taking off his chain from his chest and swinging it in a wide arc in front of him. In that one swing alone, three of the goon earth ponies are immediately knocked unconscious.
In the process that exposes Glenda to two archers above who are standing next to each other on a second-story balcony. Due to that temporary opportunity, they attempt to line up their shots by magically levitating their crossbows ahead of them then shutting one eye in order to view out a cross-hair above their crossbows. Seconds later they fire, but their crossbow bolts end up getting whacked away by Curb Stomp’s fast-spinning chain which he uses as a makeshift shield.
The archers who fired end up getting stunned for a second with surprise at how their efforts got thwarted. After that, they are about to start to reload their crossbows but pause again when they see the raging minotaur charge below them while roaring with such volume that it echoes in the distance. He ends up a bit below their line of fire. Along the way, he is spinning his chain above him to gather momentum. Following that, he swings his iron chain so hard that he shatters through two support beams beneath the balcony. Because of that, the balcony buckles. The forward end tips forward and spills both archers painfully tumbling to the floor.
Glenda, meanwhile, holds her crouch as she carefully assesses three remaining hostile ponies in front of her and two more a bit behind her and off to her right, but they aren't as close. She waits for them to make the first move, intending to counter whatever they do, but it turns out they are doing the same thing. They end up just staring at each other, each not wanting to make the first move.
Several things happen simultaneously.
The roar of a new warrior charges into the battlefield behind Glenda. She does not tear her eyes away from the three opponents ahead of her, but she does tilt her head a bit to the side in order to listen to this new potential threat charging in behind her.
From Stygian's perspective, however, he notices that the pony charging into the fray is none other than Rockhoof. He is actually roaring fairly loudly considering he is also biting into the middle stem of his shovel. Every opponent that comes into contact to the left and right of that shovel stem is ending up getting shoved forward with a fair amount of ease. When the shovel stem to the left side of Rockhoof's mouth catches up to Glenda, she ends up ducking without even looking back. One of the opponents ahead of her tries the same thing, but Rockhoof tilts the left side of the stem a bit down to catch that opponent anyway.
Altogether, Rockhoof ultimately ends up shoving six burly earth ponies off the pier entirely in one single charge.
While that is happening, one of the archers Curb Stomp knocked down recovers faster than his partner. That unicorn whacks the towering minotaur once by swinging the crossbow itself in desperation with his magic. In response, Curb Stomp just stands there and accepts the hit. The crossbow ends up getting shattered against his flesh because, apparently, he's more solid than the makeshift weapon used against him.
The attacker widens his eyes at this, then whirls about in order to buck at the minotaur three times, and three times the minotaur simply accepts the hit to prove how immune he is to it. Every hit of that rear kick connects with Curb Stomp’s abdomen as if it is made of solid iron. However, on the third kick, he finally moves to snatch the left leg that was used to kick him as if convinced he's proven his point by then. Once he has that leg, he slowly lifts it up and dangles his opponent helplessly before him. By then the attacker gave up trying the offense and instead attempts the sympathy card. Upside down, he smiles shyly and apologetically. The battle-hardened minotaur just stares at his opponent for two seconds before whirling his prize about and uses his opponent to smash the other archer back down who was starting to recover and crawl up until he is smacked back down with the body of his own ally.
At the same time, Stygian observes how a dark cloud inexplicably flies into the fray towards the remaining two archers above. After that, the scholar hears a brief sound of kicks and hits within that cloud. He concludes that it is most likely Rumble that pushed that cloud directly into his opponent in order to gain concealment from the remaining archer. From there, it sounds like Rumble's kung fu skills made short work of that opponent, especially considering that opponent was blinded during the attack. That should apply to Rumble too, but he was expecting this and probably trained under these conditions.
That leaves only one last archer to threaten Stygian's friends. He looks at that opponent, who is standing on one of the slightly slanted roofs of the buildings around them. That archer attempts to line up a shot at Glenda. The griffin notices this too and holds herself ready. The professor also notices how the adventuring archaeologist spreads her wings slightly, most likely in preparation to flap her wings at the projectile and knock it off course.
However, when the archer fires, the projectile ends up bouncing off a magical shield that suddenly pops up in front of him. Since the transparent shield has a brownish-golden color, Stygian figures the spell belongs to the prince. Glancing at him for a brief moment, Stygian confirms that the prince's horn is shining the same color at that moment.
While the last archer blinks in surprise at this development, the shield, which blocked his projectile earlier, proceeds to bash into that opponent a second later. This attack knocks him unsteady on his already slanted surface. For good measure, the shield vanishes. A moment later one of the archer’s limbs gets enveloped by a golden/brown aura color. The prince telekinetically drags that opponent down then off the edge of the roof. He ends up crashing onto a pile of wooden square crates down below. That landing injures his back so severely that he is paralyzed for the rest of the fight.
“Attack him, you fools!” Fernando orders his remaining minions while nodding to indicate the prince. “If you hold him hostage, that will hold the minotaur in check.”
Meanwhile, Stygian notices how Fernando hasn't made a move against any of the professor's allies at all. The mob boss literally has just been standing there the whole time while observing the fray around him. Since the start of this fight, the only action he's ever taken is to order the rest of his minions. This seems to indicate that Fernando is meant to be the brains of this outfit (such as it is) with authority, but nothing else to offer that's noteworthy unless he's hiding a secret trump card like some kind of magical object. If that is the case, however, he has yet to pull it out. For his part, the professor observes how the mob boss looks quite flustered, but not afraid yet.
In response to the order, one earth pony minion steps up to the prince. In this case, it is the dark gray stallion that earlier said he wanted nothing to do with the minotaur. So far he's kept his word about that, but he has fewer qualms about engaging the prince directly.
“Need help, laddie?” Rockhoof offers the prince calmly while he stabs his shovel into the wooden floor beside him.
“Nah. I got this one,” the prince replies calmly as he turns to engage his new opponent.
Because he said that, Curb Stomp freezes in mid-step then pulls back away from his liege. Instead, he stands up straight while crossing his arms, content to observe the rest of the fray while remaining prepared to act just in case.
“Ya got this one?” the gray stallion asks the prince in a mocking tone, then goes on to say, “I beg to diff-”
His speech is interrupted when the prince flings the bubbles in his pipe directly into his opponent’s eyes. In response, that stallion reels back, shuts his eyes, and cries out in pain. While that happens, Prince Salizar floats his pipe close to opponent’s right foreleg and uses the hook of the pipe to drag that leg forward and up. This ends up flipping the gray stallion down into a prone position, especially since he's still struggling with the pain of soap bubbles in his eyes. While on the ground, the prince floats the pipe around so the mouth end is aimed at the gray stallion. From there, he jabs that somewhat pointy end hard into the gray stallion's temple. This ends up knocking the stallion unconscious with that extremely precise attack.
After that, the prince floats his pipe back to him, squints in disgust at the mouthpiece now, then floats a white rag from his saddlebag in order to wipe the mouthpiece clean anew before floating it casually back into his mouth.
“Well done, laddie,” Rockhoof commends while stomping one hoof down on the ground in a gesture of congratulation. “That's showin' 'em. Aye.”
Rumble flies up to Stygian then hovers three feet in the air before the diminutive scholar while saluting and reporting, “All innocents have already cleared from the area. Apparently they made their own way out of the battlefield.
“Furthermore, all combatants have successfully been neutralized as well, except for him.” Rumble nods to indicate the mob boss himself.
Fernando Fedora leans both of his forward hooves heavily into his cane as he glumly scans about, eyeing each of his easily dispatched goons one by one. When he eyes the last one, he says, “I was prepared to deal with Glenda alone, but I didn't expect allies of her own would suddenly show up, especially considering her stubborn determination to operate solo.” He peers sharply at the prince, then says, “You really are the prince of Saddle Arabia, aren't you? Very few other ponies could afford quality bodyguards like those you've employed.”
“I have never denied that in this encounter, and I see no reason to start now,” the prince replies calmly at the lone white dressed mob boss. “And, as you can see, as a merchant/prince, I have an eye for quality.”
Fernando sighs in frustration, then asks, “So . . . what happens to me now?”
“That depends on the lady,” the prince says as he eyes Glenda before adding, “If it were up to me, however, I'd be inclined to let you go because you've caused no lasting harm and you're no threat to me. I don't expect you ever will be, either.” The prince flashes Fernando a warning look. “If you ever attempt to be a threat against me again, I warn you that I have significantly more resources at my disposal to call to my defense just in case you're ever feeling both lucky and stupid.”
“Believe me,” Fernando replies as he narrows his eyes at the prince, “I won't forget what you've done today. Whatever I plan to do next, it will take into account what I've learned today and then some, for I have every reason to expect a true royal prince to have much at his disposal.”
Prince Salizar bows at Fernando slightly as he acknowledges, “That would be most prudent of you, Sir.”
“As for me,” Glenda pipes in, “I'm not much of a fan for holding prisoners, nor am I a fan of either using or suffering from torture. I also try my best not to kill, but that said, I may seriously wound active combatants against me and, under those circumstances, mortal accidents have been known to happen despite my best efforts.”
“So, in other words,” the prince clarifies as he transfers his look from Glenda to Fernando while simultaneously transferring his pipe from the left side of his face to his right, “you're free to go, unless the native authorities on this island have anything to say. If you manage your way off this island, warn your boss that Glenda is under my protection for as long as she chooses to be. During that time, she is off-limits, lest you evoke my wrath again. Have I made myself clear?”
Fernando nods while glaring sharply under the rim of his hat as he says, “Yes, Sire,” he answers tightly. “You have made yourself perfectly clear.”
As he said that, some of his goons groan and start to pick themselves up. As for those pushed off the edge of the pier, they are still busy swimming and attempting to find their way back onto the town on a cross-network of interconnected piers.
“May I go now?” Fernando asks in a continued tight and tense voice.
“You may go along with the understanding that any further hostile actions will be met in kind, and I might not be so merciful next time,” the prince warns.
“Duly noted,” Fernando acknowledges with a tip of his hat then starts to trot away. Eventually he is followed by his minions, some of which need assistance from their allies.
Glenda's gaze follows the mob out. When it seems they are out of earshot, she calls over her shoulder to the prince while continuing to eye the retreating threats, “I take it that is your airship the natives have been abuzz about on the island? Sea ships they see plenty enough, but airships are not too common out on these parts.”
When the mob is finally out of sight, she turns her head back to look at the prince as she says, “There aren't many that I know of who can afford such extravagance so easily.”
“Indeed, I won't deny that,” the prince replies, then tilts his head before asking, “I'm curious, are you pleased with the prize I awarded you in our previous encounter together?”
“Oh yes, Sire. Definitely,” Glenda responds as she pats her saddlebag affectionately. “Not only does it hold my most valuable stuff, but I even live in this thing now, especially while out in the wild.”
“Huh?” Rumble asks as he finally landed and folded his wings on his back. “You lost me.”
“The item in question is a magical device,” the prince explains to Rumble. “It shrinks anything placed within the bag, including living creatures. Not only does that significantly reduce the weight of the items placed inside, but makes them considerably more portable.”
“Wow!” Rumble exclaims in amazement. “For how long?”
“Until the items and/or creatures leave the bag,” the prince answers. “At that point, the process reverses. Anything leaving that bag resumes its normal weight and size.”
“Interesting,” Rumble says as he transfers his look from the prince to Glenda. “And you say you actually live in that thing now?”
Glenda smirks as she nods before saying, “Yes. I've got several pieces of furniture within there, including a bed, desk, and other unmentionables.”
“Did you really penetrate the Glazetec Temple?” Stygian asks Glenda in alarm as he trots forward until he's beside the prince.
“Um . . . you're Professor Stygian, right?” Glenda asks the professor with moderate recognition.
Stygian confirms with a nod as he says, “Yes Ma'am. I am.”
“And you're Rockhoof, one of the legendary Pillars of the ancient Equestrian civilization and the Mighty Helm,” Glenda goes on as she looks at Rockhoof with admiration in her gaze and her voice.
Rockhoof smiles as he replies, “Aye, lassie, that ah am, and may ah just say that ah'm so pleased that ma reputation continues to hold after all these centuries.”
“Well . . . I am an archaeologist, and your legendary exploits are no small deal,” Glenda explains to Rockhoof before looking at Stygian. “To answer your question, yes. I have successfully penetrated the Glazetec Temple and I have secured a certain dangerous prize from it. If you've all come for that, you shall be met with the same resistance I gave to Fernando.”
Stygian widens his eyes then whips a hoof back and forth ahead of him while shaking his head before saying, “No, no, no. I have no intention of setting a hoof on that cursed object. I'm also well invested to make sure nopony else receives it either. I assure you, we have approached you because of another matter entirely, but your success at that particular temple may necessitate a further adjustment to our plans.” Stygian tilts his head at Glenda as he goes on to ask, “Tell me . . . you're not currently in possession of any other world-ending artifacts that have a time limit to solve, are you?”
Glenda squints one eye at the short professor sharply as she asks, “If I were, do you think I'd tell you?”
Stygian sighs before admitting, “I suppose not, especially while out in public like this.” He looks to the prince beside him. “I suggest we continue that conversation someplace more private.”
The prince nods with a bit of a concerned look as he responds, “Very well. We can discuss the details of that issue at a later time, but for now, I feel compelled to ask if the item in question really is so . . . apocalyptic?”
Stygian's expression relaxes a little as he shakes his head and replies, “By itself, no . . . but I assure you, Your Majesty, that item can do a lot of damage in the wrong hooves nonetheless.”
“Wrong hooves like our dearly departed friend, I take it?” the prince checks.
“Most definitely,” Glenda assures.
The prince nods as he says, “I see.”
“If you all aren't here for the artifact, then why have you come seeking me out?” Glenda asks in a guarded pose.
“Put simply, to employ you in a once in a lifetime opportunity,” the prince answers.
“Oh?” Glenda asks as she lifts a feathered eyebrow, feeling a bit intrigued now. “In that case, you have my attention. Far be it for me to question your capability to pay your employees and/or royal servants,” she says as she spares a quick glance at the menacing minotaur. That is a potential opponent that intimidates even her.
“To elaborate, how would you like to join us as we venture to explore lands unknown?” the prince offers. “More specifically, we have our hearts set on a course which may deliver us to the lands that Stygian here, and others of his ilk, originally hail from.”
“Really?!” Glenda asks, now deeply intrigued. “In that case, I'd be interested to learn more. Much more.”
“Then let us make our way to my ship and humble tent where we can discuss the details of the particular issue in greater detail. That, and likely more,” the prince suggests.
Glenda flashes them all a cautious look one last time as she seems to assess them and weigh her options. In the end, she says, “Well, Rockhoof here is a legendary hero of ancient Equestria and is known for mighty deeds even in our current era. If he trusts you all, it is more likely I'd be safer in your company rather than outside of it.” She looks at the prince. “That is . . . until we reach our destination. I warn you, Sire, that traveling with me invites cursed opportunity. There will be trouble if you all stay with me, but a chance to achieve something glorious if we overcome that challenge.”
“Is that supposed to talk us out of it?” Rockhoof asks skeptically. “Because, ah got tah say, lassie, yar doing a mighty poor job of that if that is the case. Back in mah day, the Mighty 'elm would've considered ya a lucky charm if ye be honest.”
“I think glorious opportunity is before us regardless,” the prince responds. “That's why I want the most experienced team for this mission that I can get my hooves on. That's where you come in.”
“I'll have conditions,” Glenda further warns.
“Likewise,” the prince replies evenly. “Nor would I expect any less of you.” He grows a smug, salesman-like smile. “So, if you'll follow me, we can go to a location where negotiations and explanations can more safely proceed.”
After that declaration, he gestures back the way he came with a flourishing wave of a hoof.
They notice Glenda's feathers ruffle a bit as if either something the prince said, or the way he said it, bothers her somewhat. Despite that, she nods in cautious acceptance.
Cozy Glow's ears perk up and she stands on edge as she asks her nearby companions, “Did you all hear that?”
“Sure did,” Cheese answers as she looks in the direction they all heard and felt a loud rumble. Seconds later she scans among the local residence, then adds, “Looks like we're not the only ones to notice, either.”
“If I had to guess, I'd say our friends found some action after all,” Sunset Shimmer suspects. She gives the nearby Doctor Pink Heart a look bordering between caution and apology as she says, “We may have to cut our trip here short after all. It's too bad, too. I really wanted to spend more time on Marewaii.”
“Indeed,” Doctor Pink Heart concurs with a sigh. “The items I could have gathered here might help us prepare for our trip, but if an emergency calls-”
The doctor's words get cut off when Cozy yelps as sharp pain stabs into her rib area which is coming from the direction of a dark alley she's standing next to. The next thing she knows is the sensation of hot breath on her right ear which makes it wiggle in reflexive irritation. To that ear, a pony's voice whispers, “Don't scream.”
Right after that, she is seized from behind. A hoof surrounds her mouth from behind before being yanked backwards. She issues another startled yelp even through her closed mouth as she is dragged back into the shadows.
“Cozy?” Sunset asks in alarm before exclaiming, “Cozy!”
Without any further hesitation, Sunset charges into the darkness while igniting her horn with a bright teal aura in order to illuminate her path ahead of her. As she proceeds, panic assails her because she was put in charge of protecting Cozy. This is a responsibility a dear friend trusted her with, and she's likewise deeply concerned for the welfare of the mare herself. A thousand fearsome possibilities grip her as she charges ahead, all of which she vehemently tries to squash down. Beneath that, fear and rage boil. Over and over again, the thought that strongly pervades her is; If you hurt her . . . if you hurt one bit of fur or feather on her, I swear to Celestia that I'll make you PAY!!!
“Sunset, WAIT!” Cheese cries out behind her.
Indeed Sunset slows from a hard gallop to a gentle canter when something startling and mysterious happens ahead of her. She sees an emerald flash of light ahead of her as if cast from a greenish flame. It only lasts for a second. After that, she hears a startled scream ahead but it lasted only half a second. Fortunately it didn't sound like a scream from Cozy. Rather it was somepony male who had a raspy voice.
While the mystery slowed Sunset to a canter for a moment, urgency propels her back into a hard gallop as she grows doubly determined to catch up. It sounds like Cozy's assailant got attacked himself, but what if this new assailant doesn't stop there? Is Cozy now in greater danger? If so, from what?
Well, whatever the answer might be, she is determined to catch up and save her dear friend.
However, Sunset screeches to a halt when yet another new phenomenon suddenly ignites in the area, this time between Sunset and Cozy Glow. A ball of hovering light erupts between them. It hovers five feet in the air. The glowing ball seems a little recognizable to Sunset but she can't put her hoof on it until it spins about and she notices a brighter light on one end of the hovering, glowing ball. It is then that she realizes she is beholding Doctor Pink Heart's arcane eye. The fact that the magical eye is glowing hot pink is yet another dead giveaway whose spell this belongs to.
The arcane eye bobs in front of Sunset as if to bow to her in acknowledgment for a moment before spinning about and floating closer to Cozy. After that, the eye flashes as it projects sound which has a slightly echoey tone to it. From it, Doctor Pink Heart remotely asks, “Cozy Glow, are you alright?”
“Yeah, I think so,” Cozy responds as she picks herself up then wheels about to view behind her. As she does so, she rubs the back of her neck in discomfort.
“You're rubbing the back of your neck right now,” Doctor Pink Heart observes. “Are you in any pain in that area? How bad is it?”
“Not severe,” Cozy answers, “but because of it, I can't say I'm perfectly fine.”
A flood of anger mixed with concern washes over Sunset. During her approach, she attempts to assess Cozy's former assailant who is now lying on the ground. He's either unconscious or downright dead. At that moment she isn't sure which possibility she'd prefer, but either way, she knew she'd need time for her nerves to calm down.
“Cozy, get back!” Sunset orders. “Come to me, Honey. I will protect you.”
“From what?” Cozy argues as she gazes down at her immobilized attempted ponynapper. “He seems disabled.”
“You can't be sure of that!” Sunset fiercely argues. “Besides, what took him out? Is it friend or foe? Until we know for sure, I want you away from this area.”
“Do as she says, Honey,” Doctor Pink Heart's echoey arcane eye expresses. “If you do, I will investigate the body here and determine whatever I can. Whatever is here can't threaten me through my spell, and Cheese is guarding me from my wheelchair. I could use an extra pair of eyes or two to make sure I remain safe back there while I investigate this area. I can't see through my normal body while I use this spell.”
Cozy continues to stand there for a moment as she sighs, then looks back at Sunset as she asks her, “Did you see that brilliant emerald flame?”
“Don't argue with me!” Sunset orders firmly as her horn glows brighter in preparation to not only illuminate the area (as she is doing now) but also maybe yank Cozy out of the alley if she has to. Sunset feels reluctant to do that because she knows her friend has issues with those who use magic against her, but if she has to do it to protect the elder filly, she will. “Come with me as we get out of this area. I'll answer any question you want me to as soon as we're once again standing in the light of day and in public. You want to protect the doctor and Cheese from further danger too, don't you?”
“Okay, fine!” Cozy relents. “I'm coming, but please answer my question.” She proceeds back to Sunset. “You did see that light too, right? I'm not the only one? Sunset, this is important!”
“Not as important as keeping you safe!” Sunset argues. “I can't relax until I deliver you from danger. I care for you, Cozy, so I cannot accept you in further harm’s way.”
“Aw!” Cozy smiles and casts a shimmering look from her slightly watery eyes at Sunset. “Thanks! It's so good to know you care.”
“I hope you don't really question that,” Sunset says in a slightly spooked tone. “Now, come with me! Let's get you out of here.”
Cozy follows but she spares a quick glance over her shoulder at the hot pink glowing orb as it floats down to investigate the unmoving body on the ground closer. She notices the stallion's body also glow hot pink as Pink Heart moves the body in various positions. Doing so reminds the princess that the doctor can use her magic remotely through her arcane eye. That should give her enough tools to work with to manipulate the crime scene as necessary to uncover more information. That knowledge helps Cozy to feel satisfied with leaving this in the doctor's professional care.
“If he lives,” Cozy says to the doctor's body as she emerges from the shadows of the alley, “maybe we should detain him for questioning.”
“It seems obvious to me why he might have attacked you,” Cheese Pie mentions. “You are an Equestrian princess, after all. Being ponynapped sort of comes with the territory. No offense. If he was successful, he could have used you as leverage against your mother.”
“But how would he know I'm an Equestrian princess?” Cozy checks. “I didn't go out of my way to announce that fact. Not like Prince Salizar did when he arrived at Canterlot.”
“You did arrive on an airship,” Cheese reminds. “Something tells me that's rare out in these parts. Even a hot-air balloon would be pretty uncommon here. I don't think something like that would even make it this far into the Luna Sea, but a full-size zeppelin ship? Those are exceedingly rare unless your name is the Storm King.”
“Plus, as an Equestrian princess, your photo has been in the newspapers plenty of times,” Sunset reminds. “I'm sure you made the front page of such things even before you were adopted by Twilight. Like it or not, Cozy, a lot of creatures know your face.”
Cozy looks back into the dark alley for four seconds with a thoughtful look. She transfers that look to Sunset as she asks her, “Now will you finally answer my question? Did you see an emerald flame in there?”
“I saw it,” Cheese answers instead. “Even way back here. What gives?”
“I did see something to that effect,” Sunset admits now that she can relax her guard a bit more. Protecting these mares is her top priority. As long as that objective seems more secure, she can spare some thought on other topics.
“Weird, huh?” Cheese asks. “Have any of you ever seen something like that before?”
Cozy gives the dark alley a hard look as she answers firmly, “Yes, I have!”
“Oh?” Sunset asks curiously. “Where have you seen such light before, Honey?”
“Changelings,” Cozy answers as she gives Sunset a grim look. “Notably, the bad kind! The less than reformed kind.”
Sunset's eyes slowly widen at Cozy in horror. It is a look that she transfers to the dark alley.
“Are you sure?” Sunset asks Cozy without looking at the young princess.
“I am, but even I have only seen it once before and in only one individual . . . and that is Queen Chrysalis.”
“But Chrysalis is locked up in Canterlot,” Cheese reminds. “It couldn't be her. Furthermore, that room has security measures in place to make sure she can't use her magic, so we know it can't be another changeling impersonating her either.”
“True,” Cozy agrees, “but she might not be the only one to use such corrupted changeling magic. How do we know that all of the changelings have been reformed?”
“Well,” Cheese puts a hoof to her lips, “every changeling that has been reformed were forthcoming about what they knew to Thorax. Every agent that they knew about, they told their new pack leader. That's how they were able to track down and reform the remaining stragglers, as in not the ones who were at the hive when most of them got reformed.” Cheese lowers her hoof back to the ground as she goes on to say, “Changelings used to be starving all the time. The chance to end that curse is a powerful incentive for them all. That, and the promise not to put up with their former queen's abuse.”
“Exactly,” Cozy agrees as she gives her friend a sharp look. “All the changelings at the hive informed Thorax about those that they knew, and they might have even been honest about it. However, if there is one thing you can count on when it comes to my old partner in crime, it's that she likes to hide a trick or two. I wouldn't be surprised if she hid some agents from the rest of the hive just in case they turn on her. Maybe these other agents were kept in complete isolation other than Chrysalis herself. That might also explain why they didn't get reformed along with the others. In the long gallop, it might be drilled in loyalty to their former changeling queen.”
“Even if you're right, why would an evil changeling try to save you from being ponynapped? That doesn't make sense,” Cheese argues.
“Did you find anything on the body?” Cozy asks Doctor Pink Heart.
“Yes . . . eventually,” Pink Heart answers. “It was hard to spot, but I did find two puncture wounds on his neck. I'm collecting a blood sample right now. I'm going to test it when I get back to my lab in the ship.”
“Can changelings create poison from their bodies by morphing into a form that has it?” Cheese wonders aloud.
“They don't seem to have too many limits to their morphic abilities,” Cozy replies. “But even if they do, the method of poison into his system can be delivered by many other means, including a normal tool.”
“That's true,” Cheese concedes.
Doctor Pink Heart’s arcane eye floats out of the alley while floating a small blood sample. She floats out a small empty vial and transfers the sample into the vial. From there, she seems to cast something directly at the blood sample.
“What was that spell?” Sunset checks with the doctor. As she does so, Pink Heart cancels her arcane eye spell then floats the vial into a bag behind her wheelchair.
“I cast something at it to preserve it from degradation,” Pink Heart answers. “Now then . . . I suggest we make our way back to the ship unless we feel content remaining captive by native authorities and answering a lot of questions.” She spins her chair to face the group. “I say we leave the body to the authorities and let them hoofle it. He is alive, by the way, so they have a suspect to interrogate. I, however, do not wish to be added to that list of suspects.”
Cozy looks at the alley longingly, feeling reluctant to depart. She says, “But I want those answers too. Whatever he knows might be important. For instance, did someone hire him or was he acting alone?”
“But getting caught might complicate other issues,” Sunset argues. “I'm with the Doctor on this one. I say we err on the side of caution and get out of here.” She looks at Cozy. “Your mother is the princess of Equestria. I'm sure she can pull some strings and get the answers you seek, even from a distance. She'll probably feel motivated to investigate this anyway. Somepony attacked her only adopted daughter. I could be convinced she'll take the news calmly, at least from an outsider’s perspective, but to do nothing with that information? That would be out of character for her.”
Cozy sighs as she relents by saying, “I suppose.” She wheels about. “Come on.” She canters away.