//------------------------------//
// Chapter 12 - Unwelcome Guests 
// Story: The Equestrian Odyssey - A Tale of Two Worlds 
// by Kamahido 
//------------------------------//

Sighing, Arc helps Ashe sit up. He shakes his head as he cuts her bounds.

“How the heck did you…?”

As soon as she is free Ashe leaps into his arms and presses her face into his chest.

“Lord Arc! You’re here!”

“Uh… yes.”

She turns to Gaston, angrily.

“How DARE you allow the rebels to overtake my ship, admiral! My father shall know of this I assure you!”

Arc grimaces. “Can you let go of me now?”

Gaston looks down at the floor. “My apologies, ma’am. They overtook us before anyone could do anything.”

“Oh, is THAT what you want me to tell my father?! That someone was able to EFFORTLESSLY take over this vessel?!”

Arc groans. “Would saying ‘please’ get you to take a step back?”

Gaston shakes his head. “No, ma’am. But I’m sure he’s well aware of the resourcefulness of the…”

“Is that what you’re planning on using as your defense during your trial?!”

Arc frowns. “Sure wish I could move right now.”

“Begging your pardon, ma’am, but I do believe we should be focusing on…”

“You BELIEVE?! At least TRY to be decisive for once in your…!”

Ashe suddenly stops talking as Arc puts his thumb and forefinger on top and bottom of her beak, effectively holding it closed.

“Admiral, why don’t you go make sure your crew is safe and the rebels gone? I’ll guard Lady Ashe.”

Ashe nuzzles his chest as she pushes away his fingers with a talon. “Yes, I’m sure I’ll be safer with Lord Arc watching the door.”

Arc motions for the admiral to leave. He nods and backs out of the room silently. As the door closes Arc reaches out with his magic to lock it before looking down at the griffon in his arms.

“Care to tell me what this is all about, Ashe?”

Ashe smiles up at him. “My ship was hijacked by the rebels and you liberated it. And me too, I might add.”

She traces his chest with a talon.

“I’d be very interested in hearing how you’d like me to return the favor.”

“How about we start with you letting go of me.”

Smiling, Ashe turns away and takes a few steps before looking over her shoulder and batting her eyelashes seductively at him.

“I understand. It’s so you can gaze upon my body in its entirety.”

Arc frowns. “Not exactly.”

Cherry calls out to Arc.

“She’s acting strange.”

“’Strange’ is an understatement right now.”

“You don’t suppose this is another one of those love spells gone wrong, do you?!”

“I sure hope not.”

Arc clears his throat before continuing.

“Now then, what did you see?”

“A big, strong, capable, studly beast freeing me from my bonds. Or did you mean other than yourself?”

Arc rolls his eyes. “Yes.”

“What’s there to say? The rebels somehow gained access to my vessel and captured it along with me and my crew.”

“Did they now?”

“Yes! Anyone could see that?!”

Arc folds his arms over his chest “Ashe, you do remember that I’m fully aware you’re the leader of the rebels, right?”

“Well… they must’ve splintered off, or something then.”

“How about you start being honest with me?”

Ashe sighs. “Fine. But I’d like you to listen with an open mind.”

Arc frown as Ashe continues.

“I heard your speech all the way in Griffonstone as did my father along with the Council of Lords. They wanted to send our ambassador to Yakyakistan to… attempt to open a dialog between our two countries.”

“Can I assume that went badly?”

Ashe shakes her head. “Not at all. Prince Rutherford was very… receptive. Especially when I raised my tail a bit higher than necessary when walking.”

Arc rolls his eyes. “You’re braver than I thought.”

“Thank you, Lord Arc.”

“Foolish, but brave.”

“How’s that?”

Arc puts a hand to his chin thoughtfully. “Admittedly, I’ve never seen his underside in great detail. But judging by Prince Rutherford’s size and girth, I can conservatively assume he would have ripped you in half. Assuming your back wasn’t broken from the initial mounting, that is.”

Ashe blushes furiously. “You take me for a common harlot?!”

Arc shrugs. “Kinda, yeah. After all, you DID come onto me pretty strong when I untied you.”

“That was for different reasons, you buffoon!”

“Oh really?”

“Yes! Like I said earlier, I have a proposition for you!” 

Arc sighs. “Be still my beating heart.”

Ashe glares at him. “Can I tell you what I’m thinking now?”

“I wish you would.”

“Very well. Here’s my proposal.”

She clears her throat before continuing.

“I’m offering myself, the daughter of Lord Gestal, in marriage to you, the Lord Regent of Equestria.”

“…what?”

“Doing so will unite both our nations, cementing relations permanently.”

“And what do you get out of this?”

“Great amounts of influence in both countries. Or if you prefer, we could overthrow the corrupt griffon government there and rule over both lands together.”

“Not interested.”

“I haven’t finished. After all, this deal is rather lopsided to favor me as it stands.”

Arc groans. “Completely.”

“In addition to bringing peace and stability to both our countries, as well as my family’s insurmountable wealth, as my husband you would have the right to bed me as often as you…”

Arc nearly falls over laughing. Ashe raises an eyebrow, confused.

“I don’t see what’s so funny.”

Arc cackles. “You!”

“Again, I don’t…”

Arc interrupts her. “Lady Ashe, do you REALLY think I’d be interested in marrying YOU of all griffons?!”

Ashe turns up her beak haughtily. “I am Lord Gestal’s daughter, which makes me the most sought after talon in all the land!”

“Maybe over there. But here you’re just a spoiled little daddy’s girl.”

“I most certainly am NOT!”

“Right, right. After all, it’s not like you take every opportunity imaginable to name drop your father and his position.”

“I’m merely speaking facts!”

“As am I.”

“Lord Arc, I don’t think you quite understand what my offer entails. It involves extreme wealth…”

“I have enough money as it is.”

“Well then, how about dominion over not one but TWO countries?”

Arc rolls his eyes. “As it stands, I already have full authority here in Equestria. Even though my tenure as Lord Regent is temporary, even after I abdicate I’ll still maintain my power as the land’s Hero of Light. That and I have zero interest in helping you and the other rebels conquer your land.”

Ashe grins smugly. “And I suppose my… personal offer is of no interest to you either?”

Arc shakes his head fervently. “Not at all. You’re not the type of woman I want to be around. Much less for the rest of my life.”

“Well, we wouldn’t have to be together very often. Mostly just for parties and annual family gatherings.”

“I don’t think you understand what I’m telling you, Ashe! Not interested!”

“You just think about it.”

“Already have. And right now…”

There is a knock at the door. Arc turns and magically unlocks it as he calls out.

“Come in.”

Gaston hurries inside, breathlessly.

“Ma’am, Lord Arc’s troops have discovered a bomb in the engine room!”

Arc frowns. “That’s… a problem.”

Ashe scoffs. “Can’t you just switch it off?”

“We’re afraid to touch it!”

“Oh, straighten up, admiral! I’ll show you how it’s done.”

Walking out the door, Ashe leads them toward engineering. Arc spots his squad huddled around several canisters hooked up to a black box. Max hurries over to him.

“Sir! We…!”

Ashe approaches the device. “Where’s the ‘off’ switch on this thing?!”

Gaston gasps. “Lady Ashe, wait!”

She kneels down and reaches for the device. Arc Blinks behind Ashe and forcefully pulls her back.

“Not a toy!”

“Come now. It can’t be THAT hard to just flip a switch or pull a wire.”

Arc looks up. “Viktor, what can you tell us?”

“I’m certainly not an expert, but this appears to be filled with some kind of liquid explosives.”

Gaston grimaces. “The destruction of the engines would destroy the ship!”

Max motions for the others to step back. “Right! And we’re still headed for Canterlot!”

Xenos turns to Arc. “Sir, do you suppose that was the rebel’s plan?!”

Hugh gasps. “It would cause quite the international incident.”

Ember clenches a fist. “Right. A lord’s daughter gets killed on Equestrian soil while carrying out a terrorist attack. Both sides would likely blame each other.

Arc nods. “It’s a safe bet.”

He turns to Ashe.

“What do you think?

“I think… we should take care of this little problem before there’s a much larger one!”

Gaston nods. “We should change course at once! Avoid the capital and give ourselves time to call in a bomb defusal team.”

Viktor shakes his head. “That might be a bit tricky. This type of bomb doesn’t like movement.”

He points a hoof to a device nearby.

“This appears to be a gyroscope of some kind. I assume it’s linked up to the detonator.”

Sereb frowns. “Perhaps we should step further back.”

Arc nods. “Agreed. Suggestions?”

Ember points out a porthole. “How about we get out of here?! Abandoning ship is perfectly logical right now!”

Arc shakes his head. “True. But it would still hit Canterlot.”

Viktor sighs. “And if we change course or slow down… boom.”

Max groans. “Quite a nasty ploy they came up with.”

Hugh frowns. “Well, we have to do something.”

Xenos nods. “And fast!”

Arc looks to Gaston. “Agreed. But it has to be the right solution.”

“Which is…?”

“Give me a minute.”

Arc paces for a few moments before snapping his finger.

“I have an idea.”

Sereb appears hopeful. “Can we help?”

“Just don’t let anyone near the device. I’ll be right back.”

Arc Blinks. Ashe turns to Ember.

“Tell me, is he always this impetuous?”

Ember narrows her eyes. “The term ‘resourceful’ or ‘brave’ would be more accurate, harpy.”

“How DARE you! I have half a mind to…!”

Ember rolls her eyes. “So you admit you have half a mind? Good to see you facing facts.”

Ashe glares at Ember. “With a single command from my father…!”

“HA! With a single command from ME, your land could be overrun with every inhabitant of the Dragon Lands! So I suggest you choose your words carefully, missy.”

“You wouldn’t DARE!”

Ember narrows her eyes. “Try me.”

There is a tense silence. Arc reappears and looks around.

“Uh… did I miss something?”

Sereb shakes his head. “Very little.”

Arc turns his attention back toward the bomb. “In any case…”

Kneeling down, Arc places a sigil on the floor. Stepping onto it he and the device vanish. Gaston gasps.

“What the…?”

Viktor breathes a sigh of relief. “He took the threat off the ship at least.”

Xenos looks around. “I wonder where though.”

A moment later Arc reappears on the sigil. He turns to Gaston.

“There you are, admiral. One less thing to worry about now”

Gaston sighs. “Thank you, sir.

Ember looks confused. “Where did you go?”

“Down to ground level. A riverbank to be exact. I brought it there then dropped a rock on the bomb with a Telekinesis Spell. The blast redirected the river a little bit, but otherwise did no damage.”

He turns to Ashe.

“Now then, I hate to be a poor international host, but if you would kindly turn your ship to an eastern heading we can escort you to the border.”

“Very well, Lord Arc. Admiral, give the order.”

“Yes, Lady Ashe.”

Arc turns to his friends as he opens a portal.

“Let’s head back to the Lunar Destiny.”

They nod and step through. Ember turns to Ashe as she passes. The pair exchange withering glances before Ember vanishes. Arc turns to Ashe.

“Have a pleasant flight home.”

Ashe nods stoically as Arc disappears. She turns to leave the engine room with the admiral. Meanwhile, Arc and company reappear on the sigil in his quarters. They immediately head out the door and down the corridor toward the Bridge. Max groans.

“I’m certainly glad that’s over.”

Xenos nods fervently. “Yeah. Something like that could have led to a war!”

Hugh chuckles. “Looks like you saved the day again, commander.”

Viktor laughs. “It’s becoming quite the pastime, sir.”

Ember fumes. “Well, that ungrateful runt sure was asking for trouble.”

Sereb growls. “Yes. But I’m sure we can all agree that Equestria shouldn’t be the one to give it to her.”

Arc shakes his head. “Ashe makes her own problems. But in any case, let’s radio Canterlot of our intentions and inform them that we’ll be returning to the capital soon.”

As they step onto the Bridge, Arc and company see Lemon Hearts talking calmly into her headset as a nearly frantic voice rings out from the other side.

“Please repeat. I’m unable to understand you.”

Soarin looks over. “Put it on the speakers so we can all hear.”

Lemon Hearts does so as Gaston’s voice continues.

“Okay, how about this? HELP!!!”

Everyone covers their ears as the speakers reverberate the last word. Tight Ship frowns.

“What in Celestia’s name…?!”

“WE CAN’T STOP IT!!!”

Arc hurries over to the radio as Lemon Hearts gives him a microphone

“Admiral, this is Lord Arc. Can you be more descriptive of what’s going on over there?”

“THE CONTROLS AREN’T RESPONDING! WE CAN’T CHANGE COURSE!”

Tight Ship frowns. “Tell them to try shutting off their engines.”

Sereb growls. “But the ship would crash.”

Ember smiles. “And?”

Viktor shakes his head. “Not a good thing to happen on Equestrian soil.”

Max grimaces. “It would be a political nightmare!”

Xenos looks to Arc. “We should get back there and help them.”

Hugh sighs. “Must we?”

“OUR HEADING IS LOCKED TO CANTERLOT CASTLE!”

Arc nods. “Guess we have to.”

Thunderlane looks over his shoulder. “Sire, their ship is accelerating!”

Moon Dancer calls out. “I’m not sure if its intentional, or something left behind by the rebels, sir.”

Wrangler chuckles as she pats her controls. “How about we ground em?”

Soarin shakes his head. “No, Wrangler. I don’t see the Griffon Kingdom being too thrilled if we shoot down one of their airships.”

Tight Ship sighs. “Especially with a lord’s daughter aboard.”

Lemon Hearts turns with a pained expression on her face. “Sir, there’s a lot more chatter in the background. And not the happy kind.”

Ashe’s voices comes over the radio.

“Are you going to do something over there, or not?!”

Arc groans. “We’re working on it.”

Ember looks to him. “You think this is for real?”

Sereb shrugs. “There is no way to know for certain.”

Thunderlane looks over his console. “Sir, we’re only about half an hour from Canterlot as it stands!”

Soarin grits his teeth. “We may have no choice but to shoot the ship down prior to it entering the city’s airspace.”

Wrangler grins. “Now you’re talking my language!”

Tight Ship frowns. “As already stated, doing so would be diplomatically disastrous though.”

Xenos looks out the window. “Well, doing nothing will lead to a whole new level of problems for the citizens of Canterlot!”

Max turns to Arc. “Sir, we have to do something, and quickly!”

Arc nods “Alright. Lemon Hearts…”

He holds out a hand as she gives him the microphone again.

“Admiral Gaston, I need you and your entire crew to abandon ship at once. Fly over to the Lunar Destiny and we’ll take care of this.”

Gaston raises an eyebrow. “Sir?”

“In order to protect the citizens of Canterlot I have no choice but to blow your vessel out of the sky.”

Ashe screams into the headset. “WHAT?! But this is my family’s personal airship! It’s a national TREASURE and has great historical significance!”

“Well, if all of you don’t get off in the next five minutes, you’ll BE history!”

Ashe rolls her eyes. “HA! Do you really think we believe you’d be so foolish as to…!”

Hearing a strange sound behind her Ashe turns around just in time to see her entire Bridge crew run out the door. She shakes her head and looks back to Gaston.

“Well, at least you…”

Gaston speaks into an intercom. “This is Admiral Gaston! All crew abandon ship! Repeat! All crew abandon ship! Head to the Equestrian vessel for pickup!”

Ashe narrows her eyes. “You can’t be serious.”

“I am, Lady Ashe. But right now I need to get you to safety.”

“Lord Arc wouldn’t DARE shoot at us!”

“Are you sure, ma’am?”

Ashe nods fervently. “Yes! I’d stake my reputation on it!”

Arc’s voice comes over the radio again.

“Wrangler, charge the weapons and prepare to fire.”

“Aye, sir.”

Gaston frowns as he looks silently at Ashe.

“I will not however stake my life on it.”

She pushes past him and the pair run for the door. Meanwhile, Arc turns to Ember and his squad as he runs toward the exit.

“Meet me on deck in two minutes!”

“What?! But…!”

“Trust me!”

Rolling her eyes, Ember does as she is told. A few minutes later she and the others stand on the deck as the crew of the griffon ship begin to land on the Lunar Destiny with them. Arc emerges from the hatch with something in his hand. Ember frowns.

“Care to explain what your plan is this time?”

“Well…”

Ashe and Gaston land in front of him.

“Lord Arc, I hereby DEMAND you order your crew to stand down on the weapons!”

“One moment.”

He turns to Gaston.

“Is everyone off your ship?”

Gaston turns and counts his crew before looking to Arc and nodding.

“All present and accounted for.”

“Good. Max, you and the others see to it everyone is escorted to the Observation Deck to watch. Xenos, stay here with Lady Ashe and the admiral.”

“Yes sir.”

“This way everypony.”

Viktor leads the way as Ashe taps a talon on the deck impatiently.

“Lord Arc, I’m still waiting for…!”

Arc interrupts her. “In a minute. Ember, I need you to fly me over to that ship now.”

“Um… okay.”

Ember wraps her arms and legs around Arc as she flaps her wings. Taking flight she heads for the ship as Ashe calls out after them.

“I don’t want so much as a scratch on my father’s airship, Lord Arc! Do you hear me?!”

Gaston does his best to calm his charge. “Please, Lady Ashe. Remember, we’re the outsiders here.”

“If he won’t answer me, I’ll MAKE him!”

Moving to take flight herself Xenos quickly flaps his own wings to block her advance.

“The Lord Regent wishes you to stay here, ma’am.”

“How DARE YOU! I fully intend to…!”

Xenos rolls his eyes and mutters to himself as Ashe continues her tirade.

“Please hurry sir.”

Meanwhile, Ember rests her chin on Arc’s shoulder and grins at him.

“My, this is romantic.”

Arc groans. “Not sure how.”

“I just wish my armor wasn’t between us.”

“Let’s stay focused on the task at hand. We need to stop this ship before it gets any closer to Canterlot.”

Ember rolls her eyes. “Uh… shoot it down?”

“Let’s try my other plan first.”

“Fine. What do you need me to do?”

“Fly next to the ship as close as you can.”

“As fast as it’s going?!”

Arc grins. “Trust me. It’ll slow down.”

Ember flies as fast as she is able. As they come up next to the ship Arc raises a hand to it. Channeling the Matter Compacting spell he quickly shrinks the ship down.

“Um… how small are you going to make that thing?!”

“Just a bit more…”

In a few moments the ship is reduced to only a handful of inches in length. Arc holds out his other hand which contains a bottle. With some careful maneuvering he holds the mouth of the bottle in front of the ship and allows it to fly inside. Ember rolls her eyes.

“Well, it’s contained. What now?”

“A bit of an experiment.”

Arc puts the palm of his hand against the mouth of the bottle as he slowly casts the Matter Compacting counter spell. The ship slowly grows in size. He stops as the vessel fills the bottle’s interior before turning to Ember.

“Take me back to the Lunar Destiny.”

Nodding, Ember flaps her wings and turns around. Ashe and Gaston stand on the deck, mouths agape as the pair touch down. Ashe is (naturally) the first to speak.

“Wha-wha-what did you DO?!”

Arc holds up the bottle as the ship inside pushes against the glass in an attempt to escape. “Just made it a bit more… manageable.”

Gaston shudders. “When Lord Gestal finds out what happened to his ship…”

Arc shrugs. “Well, first we have to stop it.”

Xenos chuckles. “How, sir? By shrinking down and boarding it?”

“Nah. Something a bit simpler.”

Putting his thumb tightly against the opening, Arc holds it there. Ember looks to him, confused.

“Um… so your plan is to do… what now?”

“Give it a minute.”

A short time later the ship slowly falls to the floor of the bottle as its engines sputter and fail. Gaston gasps.

“Sir, what did you…?!”

Ashe seethes. “If you damaged my father’s ship with another one of your crazy spells, I’ll…!”

“Damaged, no. Stopped, yes.”

Xenos looks at the bottle, confused. “How sir?”

“Simple. Griffon airships use a combustion engine similar to those found on Earth. I simply cut off the fresh air supply. Without it the engines slowly gave out which made the ship float down relatively safely.”

Ashe narrows her eyes. “How did you know about our engines?!”

“The black cloud behind your ship was a dead giveaway.”

Reaching into his ring, Arc pulls out a cork. Putting it into the bottle he holds it up.

“Always wanted a ship in a bottle.”

Gaston steps forward. “Sir, that’s still the property of Lord Gestal.”

“Yes, yes. I’ll return it to him. But for now we should head inside. Xenos, tell the captain we’re ready to move out.”

“Yes sir. Back to Canterlot?”

Arc shakes his head. “No. Ponyville.”