//------------------------------// // Amends // Story: Why is life? // by Daxisle //------------------------------// Amends Big Macintosh shot from his cot, he gripped the sheets and sat with labored breathing. The small trickles of sweat tickling the pony's neck indicated that he was actually awake. He sat frozen, save for the dramatic expansion and retraction of his chest taking in the thin air. His terrified green eyes scanned the familiar blackness of Spike and his shared cabin. The ever present feeling of movement, pulling him slightly. His ear twitched after a bored of the airship he was in creaked, even after the six days he had spent sleeping here, the predictable squeaking of wood still caused him grievance. He threw his hind legs over the side of the bed and placed his head in his hooves. One week, he thought. One week and he still couldn't get the image out of his mind. That poor pegasus, those eyes... the look of life leaving them, and how he plunged at least seven hundred feet to the cold and unforgiving ground below. But what scared the earth pony more, what made him shoot awake in a cold sweat, wasn't the death of the pony; but his killer. "Another nightmare?" He heard a small voice ask from the darkness to his left. "Eyup." Mac sighed. He seemed to be saying that a lot lately. His vocabulary had reverted to what it was before he had left Ponyville over half a year ago. His new found pride and mindset were still some what intact, he wouldn't put up with his sister degrading his opinions anymore, but his strive for unquestionable independence had wavered. He needed his family and friends, the apple farmer didn't know what he would have done had they not been here to comfort him after what he'd witnessed. He heard Spike let out a sigh. "Me too." He shifted in the bed and the unmistakable sound of blankets being thrown off echoed through the cabin. Mac watched as the dragon, a bit shorter than he was a week ago, stood from his cot and wondered to the door. "W'ere ya goin'?" Mac asked curious. Spike opened the door, the dim golden gas lights from the hall spilling in; revealing the dark brown floorboards. "I'm going to talk to Sin." Mac's eyebrows shot up. The duo hadn't spoken with Sin ever since he killed the Triple M. agent. Though, they would soon arrive in New Equine, and the only two of them traveling knew anything about the state, one of which was the very stallion Mac felt a great deal of resentment towards. "All righ'." Mac said as he lept up from his own cot, stumbling a bit from his muscles being so tense. He wasn't as angry as he was before. His former mentor may have taken a life, but it was out of protecting his friends from those who would have killed them. Even as logical and simplistic as the situation was, both the dragon and pony still couldn't bring themselves to forgive their associate's murderous act. Would murder even be the right word? Mac thought as the wood toned clops echoed quietly down the narrow hall to Sin's room. Spike knocked on the door gently. Well, murder was pointless killing, or killing for personal gain; at least so the farmer had always thought. Sin hadn't killed for personal gain or for the sake of it; so the word just didn't seem to sit as well when Mac had first labeled it. After a few minutes of waiting the duo slowly open the door, the hinges creaking loudly the entire time, and looked in to find the bed vacant. Spike shrugged, both agreed that sleep wasn't going to come for the rest of the night and it would probably be best just to wait for dawn. Felling a little hungry, they quickly made way for the eating hall to see if there were any left over bagels and stew. The ship's cook, Mr. (Or miss depending) Templar was by no means a terrible chef, both Mac and Spike would put him up there with Bon Bon and Mrs. Cake, considering what the pony had to work with. The two opened the last door in the hallway and were surprised to see Applejack and Twilight sharing a cup of, hopefully not 'special', hot coco with Mr. Templar. "Oh honey, it's just that the Federation works so much differently than Equestria." The light green unicorn said in his usual flamboyant and cheerful voice. "You just have to understand that not all of us are... Uh oh girls," Templar's purple eyes made contact with Mac's and he let out a a knowing grin. "It lookth like Big Macintosh has come for me at last." Applejack and Twilight looked behind them, both restraining a giggle at the shudder Mac couldn't repress. "Ha, I'm teasin' ya." The turquoise unicorn giggled, prompting a sigh of relief from his victim. "So anyway, like I was saying. From what you've told me, our nations work very differently from one another. And to be honest I'd Love to live in Equethtria." Twilight beamed, giving the stallion excuse to continue. "Oh yes honey. You guys sound like you give hugs and cuddle together a-lot. In the Federation, Ohmigosh, don't even get me started, this gets on my last queer nerve. Guys will avoid touching each other like it would give them the plague, ok?..." Templar trailed on, as he all ways did. Bringing up how he read a book on psychology and physiology and became very interested on a matter of how mammalian touch was actually a necessity for healthy brain development. This peaqued Twilight's inner scholar and the scholarly lavender unicorn pushed how "right on" such a notion was. Discussing the hormones created, the effects they have, and how the lack of said hormones actually kills braincells. "Wait." Spike said holding up a claw. "I'm a reptile, does that still apply to me?" Templar flicked his hoof, "Honey, you are sentient, you obviously have the Noe-mammalian brain." He explained pointing his hoof to the dragons head. "If you didn't you wouldn't be able to speak or problem solve." Spike furrowed his brow in thought for a moment before looking to Twilight who nodded in the affirmative. But still... "But I'm a reptile, not a mammal." "Honey, don't argue with science. Or th'o help me goodness, I will tickle you pink." Templar deadpanned. Twilight and Applejack giggled before beaming to the now beat red pouting dragon. "Any way." He sang. "What are you two doin' up this late?" Spike shook the blush off his face. "We were looking for Sin, but he wasn't in his room." Templar gave an almost sympathetic smile. "Sinny eh? He never sleeps in his room." He looked around suspiciously before leaning in and whispering. "He doesn't like me knowing where he sleeps." Everyone chuckled at the implication, even Mac couldn't help but laugh at Sin finally being the butt of a joke. "But he's up in the Bridge if you wanna talk to him." Spike and Mac shared nervous look, AJ and Twilight gave them each a look of sympathy. "Maybe you guys can talk him out of his slump." "Slump?" Spike asked confused. Not in the sense of Sin being in a slump, but in regards to the unicorns ability to tell that Sin was actually depressed. "Yea, most wouldn't be able to tell it, but just trust me; he isn't feeling too good." Templar's eyes became down cast. "And trust me, it takes a lot to get ol' Sinny down. Even your overly happy pink friend is getting frustrated with him." Each of the four Equestrians looked in disbelief as the effeminate stallion who gave a depressed sigh. He looked up to see the expectant stares, the worst coming from the males of the group. "What?" The red stallion motioned his hoof for the Templar to continue, his eyes widened and a gossipy grin took his face before he began speaking again. "Well..." he looked around conspiratorially and told of how Pinkie Pie had regularly gone into the bridge for the past three days for about an hour or so at a time, and would always leave with a saddened appearance. Templar asked Demos about what's gotten the usually chipper pony down, and apparently the Captain told him that Pinkie was trying to talk to Sin about what he did. But despite her best efforts, Sin just wouldn't talk to her. A twinge of guilt stung Mac in chest, the conversation they had that day replayed over many times in his mind the past few days. He didn't want Sin hurt, he'd be lying if he said he didn't want to guilt the stallion a little, but he didn't want him to the point where he wouldn't talk. With a nod of thanks and a quick exchange with their family, the two began to approach the command center of the zeppelin. A clock in the living area, a surprisingly homely and cozy space just inside the main entrance, informed Macintosh just how late, or early it really was. Dawn wouldn't come for at least another two or three hours. They both steeled themselves and opened the black doors that lead to the helm. Neither of them had been in here yet, and they ventured into the well spaced room with wondrous eyes. the dim light's gave illumination, though hardly enough to consider efficient. The very front of the gondola was covered with windows looking out into the moon lit sea below. A simple wooden table with a map of what looked like dozens of nations lay sprawled out and covered with some kind of protective coating. on the other side of the table was the ships wheel, held firmly in place by some kind of locking mechanism. To the left of that were a couple of what looked like trumpet horns that narrowed into slim pipes before they jetted off into different directions of the ship. To the right was a small couch, a door labeled 'Captain's Quarters' and a tan cloaked, oak colored stallion sleeping peacefully. Mac and Spike took a breath before they tip toed over to the slumber indulging former politician. Spike winced at the crack in the ponies goggles that rested over his eyes. Mac still couldn't believe the young dragon did that, though he still felt a bit of pride in the matter. They looked at each other for a moment, unsure if the stallion was actually asleep. They observed Sin for a moment, noticing that his breathing was regular, soft expansions of his chest assured he was alive anyway. Mac nodded to Spike who nodded back, then they both stood there... and did nothing. Mac looked over to Spike and nodded a bit more forcefully, Spike nodded again then motioned his head over to the sleeping pony. Mac shook his head vigorously than motioned that Spike should be the one to wake him up. Spike pointed to himself questioningly. They two began a muted argument, using only their body language to try to get their points across. "Can I help you?" They both froze, their eyes constricted to embarrassed specs. They looked over to the source of the noise to find their associate with his head up and looking right at them. "Or do you just enjoy flailing yourselves wildly in front of sleeping ponies?" The could see Sin smirk through the dim lighting and both gave sheepish grins and shrugged. "I'm awake, you both can talk now." Sin deadpanned. Mac chuckled again, it had been a while since he had heard the calm and grim voice that first told him of what life truly was. It did disconcert him at times, the tone of the stallion was always cool and calculating. He'd mastered the techniques of lowering or heightening his voice at the proper times when speaking to anyone from peasant to royalty. Though, relatively little to no emotion. "Right sorry." Spike chuckled nervously. He cleared his throat, "I was wondering- we were wondering, what else would it be like in the Federation?" Sin leaned his head back, his eyebrows shooting up. "You still want to come?" The dragon and earth pony were equally taken aback by the question. "'W- Well o'course we do." Mac replied. Sin humphed than shook his head. He bit his lip before speaking. "I know you two don't trust me as you used to. The few times we've seen each other on the ship, you look at me as though I'm a monster." His face turned to the ground than he chuckled sadly. "Maybe I am." Another pang of guilt hit Mac in the chest like an arrow. Sin's words were sincere, his tone held regret and sorrow to it. The apple stallion couldn't figure out why, but he wasn't mad at all anymore, a dull feeling of being upset still ached in the back of his mind, but the fear he felt had evaporated and the the hard feelings had melted away. He couldn't help but scold himself a little for allowing Sin, a pony who he saw murder another, off of the metaphorical hook in his mind. He wanted to be angry still, taking a life is still taking a life. But Sin's words enticed Mac to do mental gymnastics over his own morality, and it all amounted to one thing; Sin did what he had to do to protect himself and his friends. "Hey." Mac called placing a hoof on Sin's shoulder and smiling. "Yer' not a monster," His face hardened a bit. "Y'all killed a pony, but Ah know you wouldn't do it with ou' reason, n' y'er righ'." Mac let out a sigh. "S' much s' Ah don' like it, had Ah been in yer horseshoes, i'da probably done the same t' protect my own." He finished with a weak though forgiving smile, one that Spike shared. Sin shook his head again, "You both are crazier than Star Shade." Both Mac and the dragon chuckled a bit. "And you aren't?" Spike asked playfully. "I didn't say that." Sin replied, though his his smirk faltered and his tone became darker once again. "Though, it should be noted that I'd rather you don't kill, either of you." He waved his hoof at the two now confused beings. "Don't get me wrong, I'm proud of the decisions you've made... Well," He touched the cracked area of his goggles, electing an apology from the responsible reptile. "Don't worry about it, but still; avoid taking life if possible." "Taking the life of another isn't an easy thing. It has lasting psychological effects that only a mentally insane individual could honestly deny." The stallion stood from the couch and cracked his neck. "Violence should never be the first answer to any problem, but it should never be taken off the table completely. I'm proud that you chose not to kill, just one bolt alone could have put anyone you hit go into shock to the point they wouldn't be able to save themselves. Be they pegasi or griffin. However, while you are here, and associated with me; you will be in danger at any given time. What happened wasn't an uncommon ordeal for some one like me." Sin took a breath, his voice loosing it's horse tone over the time he spoke. "I want you both to think on if you are prepared to deal with more of this." The Equestrian's confidence wavered for a moment. "I've told you about how it would be, now you have seen it, and you know it can also happen to you." Sin looked to the door to the Captains Quarters than back again. "I won't begrudge you any should you decide to return home. I'm fairly certain Demos will-" "I'll what?" A voice came as the door began to open. A very tired and cranky looking Griffin with black and white feathers stepped out of the room, he impatiently stroked a group of feathers the protruded from his chin, giving it a beard like appearance. "Take them home." Sin answered calmly. Demos eyed the duo expectantly, folding his arms and tapping his talons. Spike made a thoughtful noise while Mac kicked around the idea in his own mind. He would need to talk with the girls before anything was definite, that was sure. But he on a personal wasn't entirely solidified on either answer at this point. On one hoof, this ordeal had brought about the most traumatic experience of his life; and more were sure to come. Then again, he'd lived in Ponyville almost the entirety of his life, barley leaving the Apple farm at all. Aside from the death aspect, and the threat it placed on him, he had never felt more alive. Yes, it was good to be around the family and a secure environment, but he felt like he was wasting his life there. Fighting dragons, watching the races in Trottingham, traveling to different towns just seemed so much more exciting and fulfilling than simply bucking and selling red fruit. Mac was surprised at his own thought process. He could get killed, he would most likely see more death, yet here he was. Genuinely undecided in the matter. Perhaps Sin was right, maybe he was more insane than Star Shade. "We'll need to talk to the girls about it before we can give you a definite yes or no." Spike shrugged. Much to his rational self's disbelief, Mac nodded in agreement. "Fine," Demos said in a forced pleasant tone. "Now if you plan to continue this conversation, might I suggest you move somewhere that wont disturb others sleeping?" Mac and Spike gave nervous chuckles and the three walked out before hearing the door to the captains quarters slam shut. They walked back down the hall until they reached the living area, the couch occupied by one of the injured crew members from the battle with the Judgement back by Trottingham. Sin offered to stay behind while the Equestrains spoke among themselves in private, though Mac insisted that he come with them. "Back on your farm after we first met." Sin blurted halting the trio's advance. "You asked me where your freedoms end and an-others begin." Big Mac looked back, interested to finally have that question answered fully. "Your freedoms and rights come from you, they only end when you are not willing to kill to protect them." Macintosh furrowed his brow and nodded, more in contemplation than acknowledgement. His right to protect his freedom, even if it means killing another. Did that give him the right to kill? His mind trailed off as Spike motioned for them to continue on, he too thinking over the concept. They made way to the eating hall to find the missing pair of mares now present with Twilight and Applejack. They seemed to be gossiping about something or another with Templar. None of the three really wanted to know what, considering who the ring leader currently was. "Oh, hello there." Called Templar, he saw the brown clad stallion enter with them, and the cheerful stallion smiled wider. "SINNY!" He called standing up. "You finally left the Bridge." Sin nodded. "I'm sorry Ms. Templar, however, I'm going to need to speak with Ms. Sparkle and her friends for a moment." Templar gave an interested look than shrugged, agreeing to the the request for privacy. He offered to get some more coco and walked out of the hall into the kitchen, eying Mac and swaying his rump far more than need be. Mac shuddered again, he would really need to stop doing that, lest he befall the snickers of Rainbow Dash. The three walked farther in to see everyone glaring cautiously at Sin, except Pinkie, who instead bore what looked like a sad smile. They took their seats around the familiar circular oak table. "Uh... Applejack." Mac said nervously, his sister broke her glare from Sin and turned her attention to her brother. "We been talkin' 'n, we want to know if y'all wanna head home." The girls snapped to attention at the notion. "Head home?" Twilight asked tilting her head. "Yes." Sin nodded calmly, regaining the curious looks of the mares. "When you all decided to accompany me, I don't think you were expecting how dangerous it would be. I have offered to use my final favor with Demos to transport you all back to Equestria. If you wish." Macintosh watched as Twilight had a momentary look of surprise on her face, it turned into one of deep thought before the rainbow maned cyan mare slammed an angry hoof on the table. "Not expecting danger? Are you saying we're scared?" "Rainbow, that's not what he was gettin' at, n' you know it!" Applejack snapped. "Oh yea, than why shouldn't we go?" Rainbow challenged. Sin opened his mouth to answer the question, but the southern mare beat him to it. "'Cause it involves killin' other ponies!" "Ponies who attack us to begin with." Rainbow shot back, stunning her orange friend. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I thought a lot about what Sin said. And he makes a lot of sense." She flapped her wings and hoovered onto the table. "Our fliers didn't cause any trouble, and then those triple F guys or what ever, came looking for a fight. Well, they found one." "Sugar cube, this ain't our figh'." Applejack sighed. "Ah don' know, wha' do ya think Twi'?" Twilight shook her head blankly than used her magic to summon a quill and parchment from her travel bag. She began scribbling, and motioned for them to come back to her later. Rainbow and Applejack looked to the other mare who had yet to give her piece on the offer. Pinkie simply sat there and shrugged. "I don't want to leave you guys behind, but I'd also like to see a country besides Equestria too." She grinned, "imagine the different kinds of parties they have!" "Finished," Twilight announced happily before rolling the parchment into a scroll, "Spike could you send this to Princess Celestia for me please?" Spike nodded and reached for the parchment. "How are you going to give that to Celestia from here?" Sin asked skeptically, Spike cleared his throat. The aforementioned dragon gave a sly grin before blowing a green flame, disintegrating the paper into a thin mist and watching it fly out of the door. Sin's mouth gaped as he watched the plum of smoke travel away. Mac actually couldn't help but laugh at the dumb look the stallion wore. They had fought a dragon, battled an enemy airship and stood trial before Celestia, all the while; Sin always kept his calm and cool demeanor. But this, Spike sending a simple letter, is what makes him visibly awe struck? How can that not be funny? Sin looked back to Spike after a few moments. "That's going to Princess Celestia?" Spike nodded proudly. "And you didn't mention you had a direct tie to the head of your government for the six months we've been traveling because...?" "It didn't seem important." Spike shrugged. Sin opened his mouth and rose his hoof to make a point, but after a moment of nothingness he closed it and put his hoof to his chin in thought. This repeated several times, much to the comedy of all others present. Finally the stallion scoffed and sat back in his chair. "Will Equestria ever cease to amaze me?" Twilight smiled and lidded her eyes. "3... 2... 1." Spike belched another purge of green flame, this time a scroll dropping from the flames. "Apparently not." Sin quipped as a lavender aura encased the scroll and unrivaled it. She read the text allowed, prompting the crowd to listen with interest. Celestia expressed her concerns about the battle her student told of. And allowed her to come home whenever she wished. Though, there was still a paragraph dedicate to wanting somepony to stay and give her reports on what things were like in the Federation. None the less, it still ended with Celestia leaving the ultimate decision up to Twilight and her friends. Mac smiled, interested in what their decisions would be. "I don't get it." Twilight complained re-reading the letter. "We're about to go into a practical war zone, and she doesn't even discourage me from going?" Her eyes widened as if realization struck. "Oh no, what if she doesn't care enough about me to stop me? What if she wants to see if I'm worthy of being her student by testing me here?! What-" Applejack stuffed her hoof into Twilight's mouth, holding the nonsensical tirade that was to come. "Twi' y'all 'r lookin' too much into it." The farmer mare dead panned. "What the Princess was sayin' is tha' you have ya own d'cision' ta make, and ya own risks t' take. It's not that she doesn't care 'bout you or wants to see if ya can handle it, it's that she doesn't feel she should be able to influence ever choice you make in... your... life." She furrowed her brow at the familiarity of her words than looked up to Mac, full realization hitting both she and Twilight again. They both looked at Sin in shock. Sin gave a genuine smile before he spoke. "Sort of like Spike and Macintosh?" Both mare's ears flattened against their skulls, Mac couldn't help but feel a little bad for them. He and Spike had tried to convince the two of why the left for a while now, it's nice to see that they finally got it. Applejack and Twilight looked to their respective family members and apologized. Apparently both mares had still been harboring feelings of resentment against the two for up and leaving like they had. Mac accepted his sisters apology, as did Spike for Twilight. After a quick embrace Rainbow also offered her own apologies for implying that Mac a coltcuddler. Mac felt strangely at peace now, he hadn't noticed it, but he did hold a grudge against the pegasus for her hurtful words and laughter. And as quickly as the emotional baggage was brought to mind, it left just as quickly. He felt better than he had in a while, there wasn't any tension between he or any his friends now. Though his blissful indulgence was short lived as Sin had to choose that exact moment to asked what the groups decision would be. Big Mac wanted them to stay, his choice was already made, regardless of what ever they did. But still, he didn't want to see his friends go when he'd be in a whole new land almost by himself. After a few thoughtful noise, it was Rainbow Dash who was the first to answer. She gave a confident smirk and proclaimed herself courageous enough to face the new nation. Speaking as if the nation itself was actually against her. Spike rolled his eyes at the familiar arrogance, some things never change. Pinkie and Twilight both agreed that they also wished to stay and see what else the world had to offer besides what lay with in Equestrian borders. Applejack was the last to decide. Mac felt a knot expand in his throat, he wanted her to stay, she was his sister; not particularly the best friend he ever had, but still. "Ya know, Ah think Imma stay too. Ah'm sure the farm can hold ther' own with out me." Save for Sin, who shook his head and left the Equestrians to their heart felt moment. The smile on Sin's face vanished as soon as he walked out the door. He heard the friends begin to converse and talk about what they would do once they made it to New Equine, though detail couldn't be made as the pony walked further away. He walked out side onto the balcony that traveled fully around the airship, his cloak taking the brute of the cold, though his visible breaths affirmed that winter was still going strong. He walked over to one of the cargo loading platforms where a dark night pegasus had just retracted it's batwings and eyed him skeptically. Sin nodded and approached his associate. "Star Shade, where have you been?" The pegasus narrowed his eyes. "Busy." Sin quirked an eyebrow before looking around conspiratorially, once he deemed the two in solitude he spoke. "Spying?" "Do you really think it's a good idea to bring them along?" Shade shook his head. "They were traumatized over simply seeing some dumbass get himself killed, for Discord's sake." "Honestly, no. I'm not really happy about them being here." Sin admitted. "I don't want them getting hurt, but it's their choice to stay." "Getting hurt? Sin, they are all liabilities." The dark pegasus huffed. "I know you've been close with Mac and Spike, but those four chicks are going to cause you a whole bunch of trouble." "You're one to talk." Star humphed and turned his head. "My point is, those four are going to get into trouble at some point. What will you do when it happens?" "Depends." "Really?" Sin took a few steps until he stood by his old friend. "If they end up in an undesirable situation of their own accord, I will do as I have done for others. Stand by and watch them pay for their mistakes." Sin smirked. "It is my choice to help them at that point after all." "And you honestly think you could do it?" Shade replied. "I've stood by as an entire caravan of seventy two earth ponies starved to death after they ignored my warnings." Sin quipped with a cynical smirk. "What makes you think I can't do it now?" The former night guard chuckled. "Unlike those you've stood by and allowed to face consequence, you know Mac and them." Shade replied blankly. "Your feelings for them will conflict with the usual feelings of enjoyment you get from seeing idiots suffer for their stupidity." Sin furrowed his brow at the comment, it was true he did get a certain sense of satisfaction at seeing the foolish and arrogant get what was coming to them, though would the bonds he's made, as thin as they were, with the Equestrians really affect his decisions? "Hang on." The brown stallion snapped his neck to Shade, "I never told you any of this." A hint of nervousness was apparent. Shade grinned. "You'd be surprised about the things you say in your sleep." Sin pressed his lips together in frustration, had he been so careless? How would Shade know all of this if he hadn't? Did Discord tell him back in Canterlot during on of Shade's many worshiping sessions? He shook the thoughts away and made a mental note to look into sleep psychology later on. "I may be delightfully insane." The dark pegasus proclaimed from out of no where before he looked to his friend. "But you are the closest thing to a friend I've ever had." He looked forward to the newly appeared faint glow of the coming dawn. "And I don't want you getting hurt over those idiots." "You don't like them very much." "Demos is right. Since they are here on behalf of Celestia, they are government types." The two continued to converse for a while longer, Shade questioning exactly what to expect in the Federation and Sin answering him. Sin had become wary of his companion, he been acting far to calm as of late. His typical antics and illogical outbursts had lessened a great deal, and that was cause enough for alarm. The dim glow in the horizon grew brighter as the sun threatened to peak over, the cold morning air began to warm, dispelling the accumulating frost that covered the rails. Finally, the sun broke the horizon in the east, the warm rays were a welcome repellant of the mornings frozen touch. "LAND HO!" Called on of the crew mates, a sudden smacking sound echoed in the sky before he gave a slanderous term and complaint. "It's barely morning, now quit your damn yelling!" The Equestrian had just finished packing up their belongings and were on the railway of the ship. Against Sin's protest, the Gonshinian had begun to descend to the ground, Demos calming the ponies complaints by reasoning that they didn't want to be spotted by the Triple M. Corporation. Macintosh still had his doubts about the crew not being pirates, though the week he had spent on the ship had showed him differently. Everybody seemed to be very tolerant, if not pleasant. Even Templar was fun to be around when he wasn't trying to be such an assertive flirt. Though the assistant of Mr. Shmee, Von, had rubbed Mac the wrong way with as angry and frustrated as he always seemed to be. The ground was only about two hundred feet away now, everybody was saying their goodbyes. Mac thanked Demos and his men for allowing them passage aboard their ship. Twilight and them also paid their gratitude and each gave the commanding griffin a hug for his efforts, save Rainbow Dash who gagged at the sentimental notion. A few moments after, the airship was only a few dozen feet above ground. A few pegasi and griffin crewmen grabbed Mac and his friends and lowered them onto the beach head below. Mac let an involuntary shiver once his hooves made contact with the cold sand. What few experiences he had with the grainy earth had always been warm and soothing, the contrast was unnerving to say the least. He looked behind to see no ice had formed within the ocean, another surprising difference considering the ponds always froze when it was this cold. "And you're sure this is the rendezvous point?" Sin asked looking around the sandy shore to the tree clusters beyond. "He gave me these exact coordinates." Demos assured looking back to the dark red and black mammoth of a zeppelin. "Sorry we couldn't take ya farther in lad, if Triple M. is lookin' for us, it's best not to take any unnecessary risks." Sin nodded his agreement and brushed off the inconvenience. After everybody had been brought down, Sin shook Demos' talon, and both gave their farewells. "Give your grandfather my regards." Demos shot back up into the air and landed on the railway. He began shouting at his crew to pull away from the shore before Mac ignored the captain in favor of more relevant information. "OHMIGOSHIT'SCOLD!" Pinkie complained pulling her pink cloak tightly around herself and shivering. Rainbow chastised the pony for her complaining to which Applejack gave her a soft elbow in the side. "Why is it so c-c-cold? W-When I f-f-find the pegasi resp-p-ponsible..." She trailed off into a light whimper. "Pegasi aren't fully responsible for the weather here." Sin replied facing the group. He watched the Gonsihinian fly away before continuing. "Weather here works of it's own accord. Much like your Everfree forest, though we still control bits of it." The group gasped, so it was one of those places. "So, where are we?" Spike asked looking around while rubbing his hands against his arms. "That... Is a good question." Sin scanned the surroundings. "You don't know where we are?" Twilight exclaimed. Sin answered that he couldn't give a definite location, he knew that they were supposed to be in some part of North New Equine. The lavender unicorn let out a sigh. "Do we even know which way to go if they don't show up?" Sin smirked. "Don't worry. Ace went ahead a couple of days ago to inform the Syndicate of our arrival. If they aren't here by day's end, we will be doing some exploring." "But... C-C-C-Cold-d-d-d." Pinkie stuttered. She pulled the cloak tighter, then lept onto the Applemare and, to the aforementioned discomfort, began snuggling close. "Mmm, Applejack did anypony ever tell you how warm you are?" "Oh my SIn, I never pictured you to associate with pony supremacists." Called a cold voice that sent a shiver down Macintosh's spine. They all looked around but couldn't find where the voice had come from. He couldn't place his hoof on it, but the voice sounded eerily familiar. Finally, after a few tension filled moments it spoke again. "Truly you have let your time away from home change you." It commented followed by a wry chuckle. They all looked up to find a grey earth pony with a darker grey mane wearing a suite with some bi pedal crystallized figure for a cutie mark, laying on a cushion covered platform suspended by six dark colored pegasi. "Malich?!" Sin asked in disbelief "What are you doing here?". Mac remembered this pony, Sin said that he was Vice President of the Triple M. Corporation What was he doing here? As if reading his mind Sin repeated his thought, prompting an empty chuckle from the business pony. He told his subordinates to land to which they carefully descended. Mac felt his muscles tense up, these pegasi were far more muscular than most ponies back home, hell they might actually be stronger than he was. "Well, since you asked so nicely," Malich smiled before he sat down and eyed his fellow countrymen, "I've come to convince you to come back." Sin sneered, a low growl escaping his throat. Malich let out another chuckle at the threat. "Honestly Sin, Father has has already grown wary of your little rebellious phase." "How did you find out where we would arrive?" The liberty stallion took a step forward, electing all the eyes of the pegasi agents to focus in on him. "Well, you know how quickly word spreads." The VP waved a dismissive hoof, a pair of pegasi quickly zoomed up and apologized for the interruption. One of them began whispering into Malich's ear, to which the pony gave an irritated groan. "Very well, it would seem your associates are inconveniently punctual. So, I'll ask you one last time-" "Where is Senator Windmane?" Sin barked taking another step. The pegasi guards mirroring the sentiment. Twilight interrupted the hopeless conflict by placing herself between Sin and the mercenaries. Malich quirked a curious brow at the determined unicorn before him. "Hello?" He called with a smirk. "And who might this lovely mare be?" Twilight introduced herself in a forced polite tone. She requested that no violence be perpetrated, electing a more skeptical look from the Vice President. "You stand to defend him?" He chuckled again. "My, my, Sin. Having others fight your battles for you? I never thought I'd see the day." "You're one to talk." Sin motioned to the pegasi. "I'll be back for your answer at another time." Malci proclaimed ignoring his fellow New Equinite. He cast a cocky grin to Twilight. "I do look forward to seeing more of you though." The unicorn's eyes narrowed as Malich perched himself on the palanquin once more and the pegasi once again took flight and quickly escorted their master away. Mac let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding, his body relaxed as the Triple M. employees finally left his sight. He looked back to see Sin and Twilight staring each other down. "What were you thinking?!" Twilight shouted, Sin continued his stare unaffected. "They outnumbered you nine to one!" Mac expected to have to step in and stop the argument, though Sin just shook his head and turned away from the scolding mare. "Hey! I'm talking to you!" "She's righ' sugarcube." Applejack agreed standing by Twilight. "Tha' wasn' a smart thing to do, who knows wha' they woulda don' to ya." Mac couldn't help but agree, it wasn't often Sin's emotions had gotten the better of him, but this was one of those times. Thing about it was, he had become emotionally driven almost instantly. Then Mac recalled that Sin was a Federal Senator, and Windmane had been a close associate of his during his time in service. "You just going to sit in there all day?" Sin called out of the blue. Mac stepped forward assuming he was speaking to him, though to everyone's surprise, excluding Sin, Ace and a group of ponies and diamond dogs emerged from the far off woodwork. Twilight counted twelve in all and then looked back to the former senator. "Should Malich have tried anything, he would have been quickly overpowered. He is many things, but a fool isn't one of them." Sin looked at Twilight and Applejack than back to the approaching group. "Though, you are right." Both mare's annoyed glare turned to one of confusion. "What I did was reckless, and I apologize for it." He walked up to the approaching rebels and began talking with them. Rainbow Dash glared and made a thoughtful sound and asked who that pony was, seeing as having ponies carry you around like that had to make you important. Mac turned and explained to the dare devil that the pony in question was Malich, Second in command of the most powerful mega corporation in all of New Equine. Rainbow started to laugh hysterically. "Yea right!" She wiped a tear from her eye. "That's a good one. The second in command of a mega corporation just happens to be here and taking an interest in Sin." Mac furrowed his brow, she had a point. Would such an esteemed business pony really care that much about anyone to the degree they would wonder to the ends of a country? Why had he gone so far out of his way? Sin was a former Senator and all, and from the farmers understanding, it was a very powerful position. Though, Sin wasn't a Senator anymore, what could Malic want him so badly for? Mac made a mental note to ask his associate about Malich's words later tonight. Sin wondered up to the conversing group and rubbed the back of his neck with an embarrassed look. Twilight asked what the plan was and Sin let out a sigh. "I have some bad news. We're in South Equine..."