//------------------------------//
// Bk13/Ch4 The Storm Kingdom Escape 
// Story: Love's Lost Decade 
// by Priceless911 
//------------------------------//

Bk13/Ch4
The Storm Kingdom Escape
(Year 09, Month 10, Day 16)

The wind howled outside as King Typhen paced impatiently in his study. Looking at a grandfather clock that stood in the corner of the room, he could see that the time was currently ten fifty AM. Annoyed with how slow time seemed to pass, the uneasy king sat at his desk and tried to clear his mind by looking through a few documents in front of him. However none of them seemed to ease his mind as he looked back at the clock again only to see that two minutes have passed since he last looked at the time. Tapping his hoof impatiently on his desk, the king again tried to look at the document s in front of him but since his mind couldn’t focus on the paperwork, he soon found his eyes wondering back towards the clock yet again only to see that one minute had passed. This time as he looked back to the paperwork, a bone chilling voice spoke up from behind his chair, “Waiting for something your majesty? You seem a little… on edge.”
Surprised by the unexpected voice, King Typhen stood up and backed away from his chair as he saw the figure of a mare standing behind his chair as he spoke, “Wha- wh- who… who are you?... How did you get in here?”
The mare stepped out from behind the chair as she replied with the hood of her black cloak still up concealing part of her face, “You seem to be looking at that clock a lot your majesty? What’s wrong, waiting for a hot date?”

The mare stepped out a little more as the king started getting angry, “I said what are doing here? You’re not suppo-“
when he saw her weapon in her hoof, the king paused, “Wait… that scythe… I know that weapon… your… you’re the Reaper of the Cutters aren’t you?... wh-why are you here? are you here to kill me for what the former king did?”
Silver shook her head as she replied, “Oh no… if I wanted to kill you… you’d already be dead. Besides, The Cutters have disbanded, so any actions that involved the previous king’s attack on Equestria don’t concern me in the slightest.”
The king still felt unsure as he replied, “Then… why are you here? What purpose do you have to infiltrate my kingdom?”
She smiled as she trotted around and sat down in his chair, “Actually… I came to warn you, or mock you… whichever you choose to accept.”
“Mock? What do you mean?”

Silver smiled as she replied with a gloating tone, “You keep looking at the clock… why? Are you anxious for a certain execution that’s about to take place within the next-“ TThe grandfather clock started chiming eleven o-clock as she finished, “Hour?”
The king felt confused, “Yes… but I can hardly see how you would know that.”
She smiled, “I have my ways…”
The King felt superior as he replied, “Oh… I see now. Your trying to warn me of the changeling and the Captain’s escape attempt aren’t you? Well don’t bother… though his details were vague, my informant told me about their plan to escape by sea, and I already took the liberty of hiring a number of pirate hunters to patrol my coast as well as proceeding with the execution a little early. Even if they tried, they won't be going anywhere beyond the Bastille’s walls.”
She gave him a dull look, “Pirate hunters… you really think they can stop the one pirate they were unable to catch?”
King Typhen nodded, “The four ships I hired should do fine… the Bloody Tide has to get close to the prison, hold its position in this rough storm, and then secure its crew and captain before it can escape. Even if the hunters don’t see it approach, it won't be able to get away while fighting this storm.”
Silver chuckled as she replied, “The world’s greatest pirate and the unknown changeling. You really don’t seem to grasp the caliber of prisoners you have, do you?”
Feeling insulted, King Typhen replied, “Oh… and you do?”

Silver smiled sinisterly as she leaned against his desk as if it were her own before replying, “Oh I do… Tell me. Have you heard of the Wooden Pergola Forest… or better yet the village that resides there… well past tense Resided?”
The king felt skeptic, “You mean that old story of the village that disappeared about five years ago? Superstitious nonsense. I’ve better things to do then to listen to a made up stories of boogeymen hiding in forests.”
Silver chuckled, “Oh that’s no boogyman… I’ve investigated the grounds myself and seen the village first hoof, but despite every theory offered to me… only one seems possible.”
Though he had little interest in the subject, the king replied, “Really, and what’s that?”
Silver replied, “The village and its residents were all killed, by the Mage of Zebrica.”
King Typhen thought to himself, “Mage of Zebrica… I’ve heard of him before. Last I heard though he died a long time ago.”
She shook her head, “Well he did, but history has always shown that when one dies, another takes his place.”

King Typhon sighed as he tried to press the subject, “Alright, so the mage lives… but I don’t see what it has to do wi-“
all of a sudden, King Typhen’s eyes widened with realization as Silver’s smile grew even more sinister as the king replied, “N-no… it-it can't be… it’s not possible.”
As King Typhen took a step back in worry, Silver added, “I admit, I had my doubts as well… but then I investigated and discovered the truth from my Zebrican contact. Sir Zeil, and the Mage of Zebrica, are one and the same.”
Still in disbelief, he replied, “But… it can't be…”
She added, “And you… you sentenced him to death. I wonder, what will he do when the moment actually comes that his execution is carried out? Will he be merciful in his response? Or will he do, what the mage is most known for?”
King Typhen shook his head in denial as he spoke too softly for anyone outside the room to hear, “Guards…”
With his first order too faint to be heard, nothing happened as Silver continued mocking him, “Will he bring darkness, by removing another kingdom from this world?”

This time, King Typhen’s call echoed through the room, “GAURDS!!!”
Hearing the panic in his tone, the doors to the study flew open as the guards standing outside entered as the king looked to them as he spoke, “Ready my carriage immediately! I have to get to the Bastille as soon as possible.”
One of the storm guards spoke in his groggy voice as the king understood and replied, “I don’t care if the weather outside is dangerous! My best and only friend is in danger thanks to an order that I gave! I won't endanger her the same way I did back then!”
He turned back to Silver, “And you, I want you t-“
Before he could finish, King Typhen realized that his chair was now empty as there was no sign of Silver anywhere. Deciding it wasn’t important, King Typhen turned away as he grabbed his sword scabbard from a nearby stand, “Forget it… guards, with me… we must get to the Bastille before it’s too late.”

Thirty minutes later, Zeil sat meditating in a cell on the execution floor. As he sat Grubber and Tempest approached the cell as Grubber tapped the shaft of his spear against the bars, “Wakey Wakey Changeling! Time to rise and greet your last day.”
Zeil opened his eyes as he smiled, “Oh good… I was wondering when we could get this show on the road.”
Tempest smiled, “Oh, by the way… we are starting early.”
Zeil nodded with his smile, “What a shock… what’s the occasion?”
She replied with a confident attitude, “We received a tip that you and Captain Sail were planning a large scale escape. So… we decided to change things, we won't be locking down the floor below as per execution standards. And we will execute you thirty minutes early. So any plans you may have with the captain or the ship that intends on picking you up will be too late to respond.”
Zeil nodded, “I see… I guess we lose then don’t we? Though… that orb on your side says you have your doubts.”
Ignoring the attention he put on the petrification orb on her hip, Tempest replied, “You think you can still win? Open up your eyes. This is it, unless… you decide to take the king up on his offer, then this will only end one way.”

Zeil smiled as he replied, “I know what it’s like to be a pawn… I will never return to that life.”
A guard approached the cell door and opened it as Tempest replied, “Then you accept your fate.” She looked to the guard, “Check his shackles and take him to the gallows.”
The guard placed shackles on Zeil’s front hooves then preceded to look over his neck shackle to ensure the ever stone was still present. After seeing that Zeil was still restrained the guard pushed against Zeil’s back as he directed Zeil out of the cell and down the corridor to the balcony with the gallows.

Down below in the main prison floor, Captain Sail was talking amongst a few other prisoners as he looked towards the guards at the main gate to the floor. With no activity happening he mumbled, “Something is wrong…”
Kahn who was standing with him asked, “You say something captain?”
Captain Sail shook his head, “No… nothing tha…”
As Captain Sail looked back to Khan he noticed a few vines growing rapidly through the window as they wrapped around the bars. Seeing this preplanned signal Captain Sail smiled, “So… they are starting early are they… I should have guessed. Well if they aren’t locking down the floor… then we have no choice but to give em’ a reason.” He looked to khan who gave him a confused look before speaking, “Khan… let me ask, if you wanted to join my crew? Would ya?”
Khan smiled as he replied, “No disrespect captain… but as much as I am a fan of your work. My paws prefer to stay on land. After all, I get sea sick pretty easily.”
Captain Sail nodded, “Good, then I won't feel too bad doing this.”

Before the confused griffon could reply, Captain Sail took one powerful swing as he hit Khan in his face knocking him unconscious with a single swing. Afterwards Khan fell to the ground unconscious just within view of the guards guarding the gate to the floor as one of the guards left his post and started walking towards the captain before calling, “HEY YOU! Step away from him n-”
At that moment, just as the guard walked passed another open cell, Axel charged out of the cell as he tackled the guard before slamming him against another cell’s bars multiple times until the guard finally lost consciousness. With the guard immobilized, Axel took the guards keys from his belt as Captain Sail spoke, “Good job lad, now lock these two in your cell and gather all members of my crew. It’s time we make our move.”

Axel smiled as he threw the unconscious guard over his shoulder, “You got it captain.”
As Axel picked up Khan and dragged the two to his cell, Captain Sail started approaching the gate to the floor as he called, “If you’re lookin’ on startin’ a fight… I’d suggest you decline… after all. What’s a pirate captain… without his crew?”
As that was said, many of Captain Sail’s crew stepped out of their cells each with a look that spelled death for any who opposed them. The glare from each sailor was enough to terrify the guards as they locked the gate as one called, “SOUND THE ALARM!!!”
Another argued, “But Commander Tempest ordered us not t-“
“I DON’T CARE! We can't allow them the chance to break free! SOUND THE ALAME AND LOCK DOWN THE FLOOR!!!”

Up on the floor above Zeil, an escorting guard, Tempest, and Grubber were reaching the exit to the execution balcony as the alarm went off with Tempest looking towards the stairway with an annoyed expression, “Those fools, I told them not to lock down the floor. Even if a riot broke out.”
Grubber smiled, “No worries, we searched the floor like you said and we didn’t find any ways that they could escape. Even if our spy didn’t know the whole story, we didn’t see anything that could be used to escape the floor.”
Tempest replied, “It doesn’t matter, Captain Sail is a master pirate. He isn’t one to under estimate.” She looked to the escorting guard, “Go down and check the floor. There is only one way on and off that floor so tell them to keep that gate locked no matter what.”
The guard nodded in confirmation and left to follow his orders as Zeil smiled, “So… your informant was withholding information was he?”
Grubber started to reply, “That’s none of your business cha-“

Tempest interrupted, “Part of his thinking was that you would actually succeed with this escape. So he obviously kept some information from us.”
Zeil smiled, “And what info did he keep?”
Tempest became irritated but she still answered in hopes that he would let the info slip, “He only told us about the plan to attempt an escape while the floor was locked down for the execution, and to flea by ship. As far as how the captain would escape the floor or get to the ship was kept to himself, and how you intend to escape with them was also kept from us.”
Zeil smiled, “Make since… since I never told anyone that I intended on escaping at all. As far as I'm concerned, I'm right where I need to be.”
Tempest replied in irritation as she pushed Zeil towards the exit, “Then get moving… we don’t have all day.”
Smiling at her irritation Zeil preceded to exit out onto the balcony as he was soon hit with the heavy rain from the large storm outside. In seconds, the three became soaked with the falling rain as Zeil trotted to the end of the balcony where a storm guard waited next to a gallows while wielding an executioner’s halberd. 

Moments ago in the floor below, as Captain Sail and his crew took control of the cells as he trotted through the corridor with Powder Keg and Axel as he spoke, “Is Khan in his cell?”
Axel smiled, “Yep both he and the guard are locked up.”
The captain replied with a suspicious tone, “That so… good…. Mr. Keg, did the fuse come out fine?”
Powder Keg held up the fuse as he smiled, “It isn’t as good as my usual fuses but considering our resources, it should do nicely. It’s just a little slower burning than normal.”
Captain Sail smiled as they approached his cell, “Good… then make the preparations.”
Powder Keg smiled, “Aye Capt’n.”
As Powder Keg entered the cell, he started feeding the long fuse into a small almost hidden hole at the very bottom corner of the cell as Axel asked, “So…. What was it that you hid in there captain? You didn’t explain that when you told us the plan.”
Captain Sail replied, “Just a little bomb… nothing spec-“
“Capt’n?”

Confused, the two looked at Powder Keg as the gunner spoke, “We have a little problem over here… can you help me out?”
Captain Sail nodded, “Sure… Axel… with me. We may need your muscle.”
as that was said, both entered the cell and approached Powder Keg as the gunner replied, while backing away from the hole he was feeding the fuse through, “I think it’s stuck… if I calculated it right, there should only be about an inch of exposed fuse.”
As the two approached the hole, Captain Sail spoke, “It may be… Axel… see if you can push it in.”
Axel nodded, as he crouched down next to the hole and stated carefully feeding the fuse through as Powder Keg backed away. As soon as the fuse was fed through, Axel smiled, “There… that’s strange… it didn’t seem stuck at all.”
Captain Sail handed him a lit candle, “Good… now light it.”
Nodding the Minotaur took the candle and held it to the fuse until it sparked to life. However just as the fuse lit, a clanking sound was heard as he looked down to see that a shackle from the wall restraints was just locked onto his arm.

Confused, Axel looked to Powder Keg who just secured the restraint as he and Captain Sail trotted away from the wall as Axel spoke, “Wha- what is this? Why did you do that?”
Captain Sail and Powder Keg stepped out of the cell as the captain looked to Axel through the bars and replied, “Because you have been dishonest Axel… since day one.”
Realizing the fullness of his situation, Axel quickly looked back to the fuse, but as he did, he realized that the slow burning fuse had already gone too deep into the wall as he turned back to the captain and tried to defend himself, “But… I’ve only been honest… I have never lied to any of y-“
“Day one… you approached myself and Sir Zeil in order to threaten him… but you weren’t threatening him in a ritualistic form of hazing that all prisoners go through. You were trying to gauge his strength. Then, you choose to send Khan, your own cell mate to try to get information from us by asking those questions. Next… we decided to give Khan the benefit of a doubt. We asked you to watch him and tell us anything suspicious about him.”
Axel replied, “And I was nothing if not honest ab”
“You lied out your teeth… Sir Zeil sensed it clear as day. Khan did none of what you claim, and my crew who work every task this prison has to offer, confirmed it. not just the fact that he wasn’t doing what you claimed, but the fact that it was you who was disappearing on occasion, to have your little chats with the guards.”

Worried the fuse was getting too short, Axel replied, “But… I was loyal, to you the whole time.”
Captain Sail smiled, “Were ya? Better talk fast lad.”
Axel tried to defend himself, “I only told them that you intended on escaping today during the execution. I didn’t even mention how.”
Captain Sail asked, “And why would you do that?”
Axel replied, “I knew that if anypony could escape it was you… and if you succeeded then I cou-“
At that moment, the wall that Axel was chained to exploded inward as the rubble from the explosion threw Axel against the bars at high speed ensuring that if the explosion wasn’t lethal, the impact was.
Stepping back Captain Sail watched as the bars Axel was thrown into were knocked loose as he and the bars fell into the center of the corridor as Captain Sail spoke, “Whether you intended to help or not… if I have to question your loyalty, then you’re no better than a mutineer.”
Seeing the damage done both to the cell and to its victim, Powder Keg spoke, “Gotta say captain… I’d prefer getting foddered then this.”
Captain Sail looked out the large hole in the wall as he saw a long tunnel like cluster of vines that weaved themselves into a long rope bridge as he spoke, “let’s go Mr. Keg… The Tide should be here soon.” He turned to look over his gathered crew as he called, “Get to the sea and make ready to board the Tide! Mr. Keg, grab that lantern from the wall, we will need it.”
Powder Keg grabbed the lantern from the wall as the crew cheered and started funneling into the cell to escape from the massive prison.

Moments ago, on the balcony above, Zeil approached the gallows’ platform which was barley an inch higher than the stone balcony beneath it. however as he approached, the trapdoor on the wooden platform was open revealing a large hole in the balcony that was an open drop all the way down to the sea below. Although Zeil felt like smiling at the fact that the vine bridge he created was just outside off the trapdoor’s view, he held a straight face as the executioner pulled the trapdoor closed and locked it with the release lever as he pointed to the center off the door as a direction for Zeil to stand there. Doing as he was instructed, Zeil stepped onto the center of the secured trapdoor and turned to face Tempest and Grubber as the executioner placed the noose around his neck with Tempest calling across the balcony through the storm, “Sir Zeil! You stand accused and found guilty of infiltration of the Capital city of Thundestroke. By order of King Typhen, high ruler of the Storm Kingdom. You are hereby condemned to execution by hanging as punishment for the crime of espionage and treason. If you have any last words… Say them now.”
Zeil shook his head, as he replied, “I only hope that balance can be restored with this decision.”
Not understanding the meaning of his words, Tempest nodded, “Don’t worry… it will b-“

At that moment, the entire balcony shook as the sound of a massive explosion filled the air causing all who were present to flinch with the unexpected tremor. As soon as the explosion was felt, Tempest spoke, “Wha-what was that?”
Standing behind the accused, the executioner looked around in confusion, but as he looked back to Zeil, the bound changeling stood looking over his shoulder with a sinister glance and smile that sent chills up the executioner’s spine. From where she stood, Tempest saw this as she immediately knew it was a trap and called, “DO IT NOW!!! KILL HIM!!!”
Panicking, the execution quickly pulled the release lever to drop the trapdoor, however, the door dropped less than an inch as he looked down to see a number of vines that had grown beneath the door to ensure it stayed shut. Continuing with his order, the executioner with his halberd thrusted it in an attempt to stab Zeil, however Zeil quickly turned around and raised his shackles at just the right accuracy as the halberd’s spike tip went into the center chain link on his bindings as Zeil directed the thrust upwards before shifting his hooves in a way that allowed the sharp halberd to break the chain’s link, snapping it completely apart. With the executioner’s weight still pressed into his thrust, the blade continued forward as the spike dug into the collar knot on the noose that was still currently wrapped around Zeil’s neck. With the halberd dug and stick in the hangman’s knot, Zeil with his hooves now free preceded to open them out before closing them both and using the metal shackle that was still attached as two hammers against both sides of the executioners head. As his shackles made contact the executioner stumbled back a few feet before falling to the ground and losing consciousness.

Shocked at what she had just witnessed, Tempest took a step back in worry as Zeil slowly turned his head in her direction before beginning his approach as the damaged noose unraveled from around his neck without him having to even touch it. With a look of anger in his expression, Zeil continued his approach, but before Tempest could order him to stop, Grubber smiled as he spoke, “Don’t worry commander, the changeling has some moves… but I got this.”
Smiling at his own confidence, Grubber took a few steps in front of Tempest as he tapped his spear against the ground and held up his hand before speaking, “Stop right there changeling!” Zeil stopped and continued his unamused glare as Grubber continued, “I don’t know what fancy moves you think you can use to escape this prison… but I'm fairly curtain it is no match for m-“
At that moment, with his body soaked from the falling rain Zeil planted his rear hoof against the wet balcony floor before spinning his body around and jumping in the air giving a fast moving roundhouse kick with his hind hoof towards Grubber who was too far for his kick to reach. However the water thrown from his kick sent a blade like sweep across the air as it flew towards both Grubber and Tempest who stood about ten paces away.

Luckily Grubber was too short for the blade to hurt him as the water blade flew over his head cutting a few hairs off the top of his head and completely cutting the upper half of his spear off as the metal shaft fell to the ground with a chiming clank. Though Grubber was too short for the blade to hurt him, Tempest was not, as the water blade flew at her with the accuracy intended on removing her head. However as the water blade hit her throat, it only splashed against her skin as the rest of the blade continued passed before hitting the wall behind her and digging a deep gash in the solid stone. At that moment, it was as if time had stood still for the two soldiers as their minds slowly processed the danger they had just witnessed. Grubber started to look down at the top half of his severed spear in worry, however Tempest could only tremble slightly as she started to realize just how close to death she was. With both the commander and her subornment too shocked to speak, Zeil straitened his stance as he spoke, “Oh… I apologies, I thought you were finished talking… please…” He held out his hoof in an inviting manner, “Continue…”

As he started to remember where he was, Gubber quickly looked back to Zeil as he backed away, “On second thought…” He rushed passed Tempest and stopped at the doorway into the tower, “You got this one commander… I'm going to go… see what that noise was. Yea that’s what I'm going to do… um… I'll report what I find when I'm done.”
After that was said, Grubber retreated into the tower as Tempest still stood stunned by what she had gone through moments ago. Slowly she raised her hoof and ran it around her neck feeling for herself that the blade did no fatal damage, however as she ran it around the side of her neck she did feel a small cut as she looked down at the blood on her hoof the moment before it washed away by the falling rain. With her stun still apparent Zeil spoke, “Seems I have to give Grubber some credit. He is smarter then he looks.” Tempest looked back to Zeil as he continued, “Question is… are you? I don’t want to take any lives today. And if you step aside, I'll take my possessions, and leave. You won't ever have to see me again and that is a promise.”
Though he said this with a neutral tone and expression, Tempest couldn’t help but see him as mocking her as she readied her stance and replied, “I cannot allow that. As commander of the Storm Kingdom’s army, I won't back down.”

Seeing the determined look on her face, Zeil smiled, “Your loyal, I and Captain Sail respect that. But there is some zebra waiting for me, and I can't let her wait any longer. I'm going back to Equestria… and nothing will stand in my way.”
As that was said, Zeil stood with a determined expression as Tempest nodded, “We will see about that!”
Just then with emphasis on her last word, Tempest grabbed the orb on her side and tossed it straight up in the air as she jump, spun her body around and kicked the small projectile towards Zeil with perfect accuracy. As the orb approached Zeil, the unconcerned changeling raised his right hoof across his body before swinging hitting and shattering the orb leaving a small cloud of green smoke to fill the air in front of him which dissipated quickly in the falling rain. As soon as the action was made, Tempest smiled with pride as she mumbled, “Got you… it’s over.”
Not hearing her words, Zeil stood with confidence as he started to feel a strange sensation in his right hoof. Confused, Zeil looked to his hoof as scale-like shards of stone started sprouting from Zeil’s skin as it started at the tip of his hoof and began running up his arm as Zeil smiled, “Interesting form of petrification… nothing like I’ve seen before… in this life anways.”
As the stone started to spread, Tempest smiled, “It’s over Zeil… that enchantment will cover your body, then turn you entirely to stone. You lost.”

Zeil raised his changing hoof in front of him exposing his transformation clearly as he replied, “I wouldn’t count on it.”
As that was said, the stone scales consumed the shackle and continue spreading up his arm, but once it reached his elbow, it stopped in place and went no further. Confused Tempest’s expression became concerned as she spoke, “What?... but… how… that’s impossible.”
Zeil smiled in a gloating manner, “I didn’t think so either… yet within the last three years I discovered a secret about our kind. We changeling can transform our body literally hundreds of times in a single day. Everything from our size, appearance, species, voice, even our blood and organs. So when it comes to spells that transform us against our will?”
As that was said Zeil raised his hoof and stomped it on the ground with enough force to shatter the scale-like stone from his untouched arm, even the once metal shackle that was on his hoof broke apart into stone as that too fell to the ground like rubble. Seeing the shock on Tempest’s face, Zeil continued, “They have no effect. The only way to change a changeling into stone permanently is to first remove his ability to change. Even if it seems that they can no longer fight… the weakest changeling can change themselves back to normal… in time.”

Tempest tried to make sense of it as she pointed at his neck, “But… the ever stone! You’re ability to change should already be taken from you… how is this possible?”
Zeil smiled as he raised his head up to show the shacked on his neck as he replied, “Simple… The stone isn’t touching me.”
As he raised his head and carefully adjusted the shackle, Tempest could see a thick wad of cloth and paper tucked between Zeil’s neck and the shackle as she became angry, “What… you mean you have been able to change this whole time?”
At that moment, Zeil gripping the shackle on his neck, changed into his zebra form as the shorter appearance made it easy for him to slip out of the shackle as he took it out from around his neck and tossed it aside all without touching the stone embedded in it. Back in his zebra form Zeil’s expression became even more intimidating then before as he spoke, “Now… do you still intend to stay in my way… or do I need to do more.”

Angry that her last resort didn’t work, Tempest replied, “I'll admit I'm surprised, but that won't be enough to scare me. I told you before, you won't get away. And nothing has changed.”
Zeil nodded as he replied, “Understood, then no more parlor tricks, no more magic.” He held his hoof up as vines weaved themselves into a staff next to him as he gripped his weapon, “Just you, and me.”
Tempest nodded as she began her charge, “Fine by me!”
As Tempest charged towards Zeil, she leaned to her side as she scooped up the top half of Grubber’s severed spear and continued her charge towards Zeil. 

Below, Captain Sail and Powder Keg reached the end of the Jacob’s ladder style bridge made of vines. As they reached the edge of their path, Captain Sail looked down into the darkness below as he spoke, “All right Mr. Keg… You have the lantern?”
Powder Keg gave Captain Sail the lantern as he spoke, “It’s here but I don’t see how it helps capt’n. the plan had to start early, so will Jim even be here?”
Captain Sail smiled, “I'm a little offended lad… after all these years under my flag you still think that I wouldn’t plan for this?...”
Captain Sail raised the lantern and swung it back and forth for a few seconds, then as the signal was seen, a large number of grappling hooks flew up from the darkness below as some missed their marks completely, others landed and hooked onto he vine bridge and even a few others hooked and latched onto the rail of the balcony above. As soon as the hooks locked onto the vines, Captain Sail smiled, “Early as usual, I can always count on Jimbo to be at the ready.” He looked to Powder Keg, “Get down to the Tide and help the crew aboard, I'll wait here till the last stallion is aboard.”
Powder Keg nodded, “Aye Capt’n, but what about Mr. Zeil?”
Clashes of weapons could be heard above as Captain Sail replied, “We will focus on us for now. I trust Sir Zeil will be about before we cast off. He got us this far, I'm sure he’ll see us out of here before too long”

Above on the balcony, Tempest kept up her offence as she jabbed, slashed, and thrusted the short spear she held as Zeil was able to deflect and sidestep every attack she attempted. As Zeil continued blocking the attacks The two locked weapons as Tempest spoke, “Your skilled, much more then you look. But that won't be enough to win!”
As that was said, Tempest pushed herself away as she jumped back a number of feet before bracing her hooves as she channeled lighting into her broken horn. As soon as Zeil saw this he realized what was happening as he quickly turned and began running towards the wooden gallows. Though she saw his actions she didn’t know his plan as Tempest then stomped the ground as the electricity from her horn pulsated through the wet balcony as the electricity flew towards Zeil in a wave motion. Knowing that this was her plan, Zeil finally approached the wooden gallows posts as he jumped up against the post then jumped higher off the post clearing the wave of lightning with his jump.

Adding to her plan, Tempest smiled, “Nowhere to run!”
With emphasis on her words, Tempest reared back her short spear and tossed it with deadly accuracy as the short weapon flew at the airborne changeling. Seeing the incoming projectile, Zeil rolled himself in the air and grabbed the weapon as the skillful changeling spun with the weapon’s motion then tossed the weapon back with accuracy that was just as deadly. By this time, Tempest had already begun another charge as she leaned to the side, catching his returned spear with her right hoof before turning it around and striking at the landing changeling while aiming for her heart. Although he had plenty of time to block or dodge the attack, Zeil instead raised the staff and blocked with the shaft as the blade from Tempest’s weapon embedded in the staff and split the weaved vines enough to expose the tip of the blade as this continued on and dug into Zeil’s chest, deep enough to draw blood, but not enough to mortally wound him. Please with her successful attack, Tempest smiled, “So… you’re mortal after all. Now it ends.”
Zeil reached up and grabbed her hoof along with the spear imbedded through his staff as he spoke, “The fight isn’t over… not yet.”

With his grip on her hoof that held the spear in his chest, Zeil released his staff and reached up wth his left hoof as he grabbed the back of her head before throwing his head forward, bashing it against her face as the unexpected attack stunned her long enough for Zeil to pull the weapon from his chest causing his staff to fall away as he spun her around and slammed her back against the gallows’ post as he pulled her hoof and weapon across her body and rested the blade against her neck in a way to pin her right hoof under the spear making it impossible to move or even break free from her position. With Tempest now pinned against the gallows at Zeil’s mercy, she took the time to try to struggle to free herself but when she realized it was no use, she sighed, “How pathetic… I dropped my guard for only a second then failed so easily.” She shook her head, “Well… I guess that’s all it takes. If you’re going to kill me then do it already. I admit defeat.”
With the blade fixed against her neck in a way that only a slight shift would be fatal, Zeil replied, “I would… but if I did, his imbalance would only tip further.”
Tempest was confused, “Imbalance?… what are you talking abou-“
“MAGE ZEIL!!!”

Confused, Tempest looked passed Zeil as he turned his head slightly to see King Typhen standing at the doorway to enter the tower as he held his sword and gave Zeil a determined look. Seeing this, Tempest spoke, “You Majesty… Get out of here… you can't win aga-“
Zeil applied pressure to the spear’s blade which cut slightly into her neck and silenced her at the same time as King Typhen saw this and replied, “I know what I'm doing Tempest… Just trust me.”
With that King Typhen started trotting towards Zeil as the changeling turned his head back to Tempest and spoke, “Listen to your king… it would seem he now understands everything.”
With that Zeil only held Tempest in place as King Typhen closed in with his weapon in hoof. Knowing the king’s intention Zeil paid him no mind as King Typhen stopped only a few paces away as he spoke, “Mage Zeil… tell me… is this your true name and title? Are you truly the Mage of Zebrica?”
Zeil didn’t even turn to look at him as he replied, “It is… and I am.”
King Typhen sighed, “I… I see…” He turned his swords around and placed the tip of the blade onto the ground in front of him as he bowed his head slightly, “Then… I King Typ- no King Savean of the storm kingdom… Humbly offer my surrender, and my most sincere apologies.”

Zeil’s expression didn’t change, however Tempest was shocked as she started to reply, “Your majesty… No, don’t give in to this monster. If you worry for my life then don’t, I'm a soldier and will fight till the e-“
“I will not be the fool of a king to start a war with the Mage of Zebrica! The Storm Kingdom has had its fill of foolish kings and I will not be its last.”
Tempest was confused, “Last?”
Zeil replied, “I'm guessing you’ve never heard of the Mage of Zebrica before. But… to fill you in… there have been more then a hundred mages throughout history. And at least five have removed full kingdoms from the map. All by their selves.”
Tempest gave him a distrusting glance, “What? You expect me to bel-“
King Typhen replied, “It’s true… and the most recent was the Pergola Village was it not Mage Zeil?”
Zeil nodded, “Six… I stand corrected.”
Knowing about the village, Tempests eyes widened in worry as the king continued, “Please… I offer my surrender in exchange for my kingdom. And… if your anger demands a life be taken, then I offer my own if… you can spare Commander Tempest in exchange. She was only following my order.”
Wanting him to say more, Zeil asked, “And why should I? It was her choice to follow your order and fight me.”

King Typhen understood as he replied, “I understand but… this is the second time I put her in danger. The first shattered her horn and sent her into a life of anger and resentment. One that… I am responsible for… I… I don’t want her to die because of my own cowardice. If she did… then I have no right to call her my friend… nor her to me. Please, I beg you… spare her in exchange for my life.”
Smiling at his answer, Zeil replied, “Good… then feel grateful… I won't take her life.” With a flick of his wrist, Zeil took the spear from Tempest’s throat and tossed it aside as it hit the edge of the balcony before sliding and stopping against the stone railing, “But I don’t intend to take yours in exchange. As I said to Tempest earlier, I only want my bag, then I'll leave this kingdom in peace.”
As Zeil stepped away from Tempest, she made her way to her king’s side as King Savean thought to himself, “I see… Tempest? Go get Mage Zeil’s possessions.”
Rubbing her neck were Zeil’s cuts were left Tempest went inside to retrieve Zeil’s bag as King Savean asked one last time, “Mage Zeil… I’ve heard a lot about the mage and how he only goes where balance is needed… so tell me… is there any other reason for your presence in my kingdom?... any at all?”
Zeil didn’t reply, instead he only smiled at the young king as Tempest returned with Zeil’s saddlebag as she spoke, “Here you are your Excellency… everything should still be there, but… I will go on record and say that I disagree with this decision. Even if he is the Mage of Zebrica… he is too dangerous to leave alive.”

King Savean took the saddlebag and nodded, “I agree that his presence and aura are troubling and… terrifying even. But if I understand the purpose of the mage enough, it’s that he only goes where balance is needed and hurts only those who threaten that balance or himself. Afterall… the world revolves around that balance…” He looked at Zeil, “Right Mage Zeil?”
Zeil smiled as he nodded, “You will make a good king yet… just, build your own road and don’t try to ride on what’s already there.”
King Savean could only give Zeil a confused look as he approached the neck shackle he was wearing before. With one accurate stomp, Zeil stomped on the shackle right were the ever stone was embedded as the stone popped out of place and fell free of the iron shackle. Then using a cloth from his saddlebag, Zeil picked up the stone, wrapped it up safely, and secured it in his saddlebag as he spoke, “I hope you won't mind me borrowing this… something tells me that I may need it very soon.”
With his mind trying to understand Zeil’s words, King Savean didn’t pay much attention to his actions as the king nodded, “Yes of course, consider it whatever compensation we can offer for this whole mess.”
As Zeil closed his saddlebag he decided to pull out his cloak as he tied it around his neck and put the hood up to block at least some of the surrounding rain.

With that Zeil started trotting towards the balcony railing where he could see a grappling hook hanging from the ledge as he approached the hook and looked back one last time, “Commander Tempest… that was a good fight, any longer and I'm sure I would have been beaten. Let’s hope we don’t have to face each other again in the future.”
She nodded, “Yes… lets hope.”
He smiled, “Oh and one more thing… remember what I told you today… I'm sure it will benefit you in the future.”
She was confused, “What you told me… about what?”
He shrugged his shoulders, “Well… everything… just remember everything I’ve said today. And you will figure it out.”
Smiling Zeil grabbed the rope from the grappling hook as he slid down to the ship below.

Moments ago, on the Deck of the Bloody Tide, Captain Sail had just slid down the rope on the vine bridge to the ship as he stepped onto the deck as Jim Approached, “Welcome back aboard Captain… How was your shore leave?”
Captain Sail smiled, “Well my life was threatened multiple times, the food was crap, and not a drop of rum to be found… all in all, still not my worst time ashore. And you lad? How did the sea fair?”
Jim smiled, “As you can see the tide is still in good shape. I managed to keep her safe while you were ashore.”
Captain Sail chuckled as he looked around, “Well she is still afloat… that’s better than I was expectin’.”
Jim laughed back as he spoke, “Well Captain, Are we free to make way?”
Captain Sail shook his head, “Not so fast Jimbo. We still have to wait for Mage Zeil.”
Jim was confused, “Mage Zeil? Who is Ma- wait, you mean Sir Zeil? He was in there with you?”
Captain Sail nodded, “Aye he was, but his new title is Mage. I hope ya show him proper respect. Seems he outranks even me now… well, on land that is.”

Just as that was said, Zeil slid down the rope from the balcony as he landed on the higher deck before looking down and speaking, “Captain! I'm here, and we are good to go.”
Captain Sail smiled, “Good lad, any trouble?”
Zeil smiled, “More than I expected but nothing I couldn’t handle.”
Captain Sail smiled, “Then let’s make way.” He looked to Powder Keg, “Mr Keg? Give the order t-“
Before he could finish a loud booming sound was heard through the stormy darkness as a cannonball came down and crashed into the waters next to the Bloody Tide. As the wave came crashing down onto the deck. After the splash came down, Captain Sail looked into the darkness of the storm as he spoke, “What in the world?”
Jim spoke, “Hunters for hire, we sank two on the way in. Seems there are more about.”
Captain Sail replied, “Two? Really?”
Jim nodded, “What? Ya think I can't command the Tide during a battle?”
Captain Sail smiled, “Nah, I just assumed ya sink more, but two is good for ya first go.”
Jim shook his head as he smiled, “If there were more, I would have sunken more… can't blame me for their tardiness to the fight.”

Another cannonball flew in this time hitting a railing and sending splinters in the air as Captain Sail replied, “Not if we sink I can't.” He called “ALL HOOVES TO STATION!!! Pull in the anchor and loose the main sail! The storm is rough lads, don’t let it beach us against the cliffs.”
Captain Sail looked to Powder Keg, “Load all cannon… Chain. We don’t want to stay to fight and we don’t need to be followed.”
Powder Keg nodded, “Aye Capt’N we won't be.” He looked over the crew, “RIGHT LADS VACATION IS OVER!!! GET YA SORRY PLOTS IN GEAR AND LOAD THOSE GUNS!!! I wanna see chains a’flyin when captain gives his order! MOVE IT!!!” 
With Powder Keg yelling his orders, Captain Sail trotted up to the deck as he looked to the helmscolt, “Pull her away and give us a straight heading west! The closest land other then here will be the isles outside of Equestria, or Equestria itself.”

Zeil who was standing nearby replied, “The king let me go and probably will pardon us both but I'm sure it only stands should we escape this place. I doubt his pardon will reach these hunters before they try to sink us.”
Captain Sail nodded, “Aye and it wouldn’t matter anyhow. Even if they haven’t been paid yet, any rookie hunter would kill for the reputation of sinking the Bloody Tide. It would boost their rates after all. But that goes without saying, this storm is swinging back out to sea. And I can guess by these winds that she will be a hurricane before too long.”
As the Bloody Tide started to swing around, one of the approaching hunter ships soon became visible through the storm as Captain Sail watched the ship approach from the port side as he smiled, “THEY ARE ALREADY IN LINE!!! FIRE!!!”

Above on the balcony of the Bastille, King Savean and Tempest trotted to the edge of the balcony as they looked down towards the ships below. With the darkness of the storm only allowing them to see the lit lanterns on deck and the muzzle flashes from the cannons, Tempest spoke, “Your majesty… should I order the ships to stop firing?”
He shook his head, “It wouldn’t matter… they are all hired gun who have already been paid, so even if we told them to stop, there is no guarantee they will. Besides, they are firing on the Bloody Tide, Captained by Captain Crimson Sail himself… with he and the Mage of Zebrica fighting… there isn’t a soul alive that can stop them.”
She looked back down just in time to see clearly that one of the Pirate hunter’s ships had caught fire as she nodded, “I see…”
As the two continued to watch, Grubber approached from behind as he spoke, “Commander I- oh, your majesty… I didn’t know you were here.”
Tempest turned to him, “What is it Grubber?”
He stood at attention, “The situation down stairs has calmed down now… but that Captain Sail and all of his pirates have escaped.”

King Savean spoke, “It’s as I expected… How many casualties are there?”
Grubber replied, “Well… there’s only one.”
Tempest replied, “One… who?”
Grubber took out a clipboard as he spoke, “Prisoner four five four… A Minotaur named… Axel.”
Tempest was surprised as King Savean looked at her, “Your informant I assume?”
She nodded, “Yes, he was the one feeding us information about Zeil.”
King Savean chuckled, “I see Captain Sail is a stallion of tradition. Every traitor he comes across meets a fate most terrible.”

Having seen Axel’s body, Grubber replied, “You could say that again.” He looked back to Tempest, “There are no other casualties. None of our guards or any other prisoners. But a few took some punches.”
King Savean shook his head, “Then we should count ourselves lucky… The mage is not one to trifle with, nor is the pirate of all pirates. Nevertheless, they were here for a reason, so perhaps we should focus on that for now.”
“What reason?”
He thought to himself, “The mage never goes anywhere unless balance is threatened… even if he doesn’t suspect it himself. But it doesn’t take the mage to realize that thing here need to change.” He looked to Grubber, “Its time I cast my own shadow and stop ruling in another’s. And we will start with the laws. Gather all law documents that were passed during the former storm king’s reign, and take them to the throne room.”
Tempest was shocked, “The throne room?”
He nodded, “Yes… time to change some laws the way a king should.”

As the king started trotting away Grubber replied, “Understood King Typhen I'll assis-“
“King Savean… I don’t want to hear the name Typhen ever again am I understood?”
Tempest could only smile as she spoke next, “I'll remain Tempest… but if you want… I don’t mind being called Fizzypop. Better we both carry on as our true selves.”
King Savean smiled as he nodded, “Then come along Fizzy… lets balance this kingdom as the mage wills it.”
as he started leaving, Tempest picked up the half spear that was laying against the balcony railing as she looked at the blade, “Did he will it… or… was there another reason he was here.” She thought to herself “Remember his words… what did he mean by that.”
As she turned to follow her king inside, Tempest accidently kicked something on the ground as she looked down to see the shattered stone remains of the once metal shackle that was on Zeil’s right hoof. Seeing this took Tempests focus for a second as she immediately remembered what he said as it echoed in her mind, “The only way to change a changeling into stone permanently is to first remove his ability to change. Even if it seems that they can no longer fight… the weakest changeling can change themselves back to normal… in time.”

As these words repeated in her mind, her eyes widened, “He was warning us…”
She looked to the king, “YOUR EXELENCY!”
He looked back as she spoke, “Permission to ready a ship for departure immediately!”
He was confused, “A ship? To where?”
She replied, “Equestria!”
Waving it off as if the concept was a fly, he replied, “Denied… I told you we should leave the Mage be. The further he is from here the better.”
She shook her head, “No that’s not it… he gave me a warning.”
“A warning?”
She replied with a serious tone, “Princess Twilight is in grave danger.”