Everyone walked down the streets of the town until the smell of cold salt filled their nostrils. Up ahead, a very lively port that crawled with ponies, minotaurs, donkeys, griffons and more different intelligent creatures appeared on their horizon. There were various wooden stands headed mainly by donkeys, ponies and griffons. Each stand had several different colorful fish hanging from a string. Each one had an overpowering scent of salt and decay. There were various boats that soared as high as black and red cargo ships to small, wooden dinghies. The sea was a thick green-blue color and had waves that constantly pounded against the cobblestone walls. Aunt Rainbow Dash took a large whiff of the area before she exhaled contently.
“There’s nothing like the brisk smell of the sea to get one ready for hunting dangerous creatures. Isn’t that right Vitriolic Shot?” She stated.
“I couldn’t agree more Rainbow.” Vitriolic Shot looked back towards Rainbow Dash and the group. “Dash, do you like what you see there?” He asked.
“It’s kind of cool, but the dead fish kind of freak me out.” Rainbow Dash stated with a hint of being unnerved in her voice.
“It’s understandable Dash. If you didn’t live near anypony who fishes for a living, then the first sight can be quite unusual.” Vitriolic Stroke assured. The group walked down the seaside street until a brown ship with a large mast and a white cloth sail appeared. Aunt Rainbow Dash, Vitriolic Shot and Typhoon Clap headed towards the dock where the ship was stationed. A knot tied to a steel peg was gently loosened apart with a green aura, which emanated from Vitriolic Shot’s horn. Aunt Rainbow Dash kicked a neatly-placed plank into the air. The plank landed between the dock and the boat. She stepped on the plank and pressed her hoof against it. The plank slightly creaked and moved slightly. Yet, Aunt Rainbow Dash smiled.
“It’s safe to walk on darlings. Come aboard everyone, because this ship isn’t going to disembark by itself.” She stated in a voice of challenge invitation.
“If you say so Mrs. Rainbow Dash…” Fluttershy whispered out in an unsure tone. Typhoon Clap nonchalantly smiled towards her direction.
“Don’t worry Fluttershy. My mom has good instincts about these sorts of things. You’ll be fine.” He consoled as he opened his wings and flew onto one of the front seats on the dhoy. “Though, if you are a pegasus or another winged creature, you can just simply fly onto here.” He added. Fluttershy turned her head back towards her wings and unfolded them. Her eyes widened in epiphany.
“Ohhh…” She whispered to herself. She fluttered over to the boat and landed on a seat that is in the back of the dhoy. Indigo looked down towards the plank and looked back to himself. His eyes compared the sizes between the plank and his body.
“It would be better if I just flied with them.” As Indigo said this, he unfolded his wings and jumped into the air. He flapped them twice before he landed onto the dhoy near Fluttershy. The dhoy shook before it stabilized itself. Typhoon Clap looked back towards Indigo and vehemently stared towards his direction.
“Watch where you’re flying Indigo! Can’t you see that your large jump nearly capsized the boat?!” He shouted. Indigo and Fluttershy reared onto the back of the seats from the shout. When Typhoon Clap looked towards his right, he saw that Aunt Rainbow Dash and Vitriolic Shot cast disappointed glares onto his direction. He frowned as he scratched the back of his head with his right forehoof. “Errr, sorry. I kind of let my temperament get to the better of me.”
“It’s alright. You still don’t fully trust me yet. I can understand. I’ll try to do better next time.” Indigo said in a slightly somber tone. Rainbow Dash gazed down towards Typhoon Clap before she opened her wings and flew over to his side.
“Eh, don’t worry Typhoon. That happens to me as well.” She stated as she put a comforting hoof on Typhoon Clap’s shoulder.
“That means well to me Dash. Thank you.” Typhoon Clap gratefully accepted. Rainbow Dash looked into the eyes of Indigo and moved her hoof over to her eyes and pointed them back and forth between her and Indigo. Indigo gulped under his breath. Afterwards, Pinkie Pie hopped down the plank and sat in the last available space on the seat where Fluttershy and Indigo sat. Applejack, Spike and Rarity walked down the plank and sat on the seat opposite of Fluttershy, Indigo and Pinkie Pie. Aunt Rainbow Dash, Vitriolic Shot and Twilight Sparkle then walked down on the plank and then became seated on the seats between Applejack, Rarity and Spike and Typhoon Clap and Rainbow Dash. Aunt Rainbow Dash pulled on a rope of the mast with her teeth, which allowed the sail to open up. The sail caught a gust of wind and began to drift on the sea.
The boat had been set adrift on the sea. The half-foot waves of crystal-green water pounded upon the boat as everyone on board discussed various topics. Aunt Rainbow Dash looked towards Twilight Sparkle, who sat to the left of her.
“You know Twilight, you have wings. I’m wondering why you didn’t just fly onto the boat like the others who had wings?” She questioned curiously. Twilight Sparkle smiled as she faced Aunt Rainbow Dash.
“If you want to know my reasoning Mrs. Rainbow Dash, it would be because I would like to have a feel for what it is like to live like a hunter. This includes even the simplest of tasks such as walking down the plank.” She replied. “Honestly, if I had used my wings to board the dhoy rather than walk the plank, then it wouldn’t feel authentic.” Aunt Rainbow Dash smiled softly from these words.
“I can see why you ascended to alicornhood now darling. You are always willing to place yourselves in the hooves of ponies that do not have the same luxuries as you do. Humility strengthens a pony after all.” She stated. She looked towards the front of Rainbow Dash and Typhoon Clap and slightly frowned. “It’s really a weird thing darling. I understand that pegasi are in my ancestry, but can you imagine if you had a son or a daughter who was a different species of pony than you are? In a way, I’m both jealous that Typhoon Clap is a pegasus, but grateful that I’m not a pegasus myself. Flight would be dashing as a power, but it would also come with a set of downsides as well. I remember all the times when Typhoon Clap was just a little colt. He injured his wings so many times when trying to fly. I always had to take him to the hospital. However, those moments that we shared at his bedside were worth it. He always smiled as we conversed, and we even played a few games. But, when little Typhoon Clap grew up, his injuries lessened and he started to become a full-fledged stallion.” She looked into the sky with a face of longing.
“It sounds like you love your son very much Mrs. Rainbow Dash.” Twilight Sparkle replied.
“Very much so darling. Vitriolic Shot and I cared and nurtured him like loving parents despite him being different from us. I value his happiness, but I’m thinking that he may want more out of his life than what the outpost gives him.” Aunt Rainbow Dash finished. Vitriolic Shot listened onto the conversation before he craned his neck towards Rainbow Dash and Typhoon Clap, who appeared to have been engaged in a conversation themselves.
“So Clap, I heard from Fluttershy that you are quite the stallion. Wish to tell me more about it?” Rainbow Dash asked. Typhoon Clap smiled condescendingly and beat his chest with his right forehoof.
“Well, I don’t mean to brag, but I did take down a bunch of griffons all by myself. While I did have these handy blades on me, I threw them with such skill that none of them stood a chance against me.” Rainbow Dash slyly smiled towards his direction.
“Oh, I’m not talking about how you took care of those griffons. Fluttershy told me how you escorted her to the work request center and talked with her in a way that is very casual for somepony who is supposed to be guarding another pony.” She stated this as she slanted her eyes and extended her neck towards Typhoon Clap. “I think that somepony has a soft spot for dear Fluttershy in their heart.” She said in a teasing voice. A slight blush of red came upon Typhoon Clap’s cheeks. Typhoon Clap gulped on a pocket of air.
“Errr, I was just doing what any escort would do. You want to keep who you are protecting comfortable around you so that it would be easier to deal with.” Typhoon Clap replied coolly with closed eyes. Rainbow Dash smugly grinned.
“Are you sure you weren’t trying to be the other kind of escort? You know, the ones that cater to their clients’ needs before they-“
“Okay Dash that’s enough! Why would I have those kinds of thoughts about somepony that I just met?!” Typhoon Clap defensively screamed.
“Who knows? I heard that many stallions and some mares found Fluttershy to be quite the gem for their eyes. Maybe her demeanor and looks make you horny for her as well?” Rainbow Dash smugly egged on.
“Watch your language there Dash! I am not a promiscuous stallion as you say.” Typhoon Clap stated. Rainbow Dash sarcastically backed away and gasped in fake offense.
“Geez Clap, I wasn’t saying that you were promiscuous. I’m just saying that you were horny.” She teased.
“I am not horny Dash!” Typhoon Clap shouted to the top of his lungs.
“Careful there Clap. If you get to excited, then you just might become an alicorn… maybe.” Rainbow Dash continued. Typhoon Clap facehoofed and grunted.
“Look Dash, there is nothing going on between me and Fluttershy. It was just a simple escort.” As he said this, Rainbow Dash inhaled a large amount of air and cuffed her mouth with her hooves.
“Horny stallion! Horny stallion! Horny stallion! Mayday, we have another alicorn onboard!~” She shouted teasingly. Typhoon Clap trembled with the urge while Vitriolic Shot stifled a giggle from his son’s increasing frustration. After she teased him, Rainbow Dash rolled on her back and began to laugh. “You should’ve seen the look on your face Clap! Priceless!” As she said this, a sinister grin crept its way towards Typhoon Clap’s face as he looked down towards the churning sea. The boat steered into a rough patch of seawater.
“So you like a little humor Dashie? Well then, I hope you can stomach a splash of seawater.” As he said this, Rainbow Dash stopped laughing and stared towards Typhoon Clap’s direction.
“Did you just call me Dashie?!” She screamed. In a state of distraction, the boat hit a rough spot of the water and a wave splashed against Rainbow Dash and Typhoon Clap. As the wave subsided, a green and white-striped tuna flailed about on the boat. With a burst of sudden energy, the tuna hopped into the air and slapped Rainbow Dash across her face with its tail. It then jumped back into the water. Everyone on the boat ceased their activities for the moment before a surge of maniacal laughter overcame Typhoon Clap. He began to roll on the floor in laughter.
“Wow! What just happened there? Not even the sea likes your teasing Dash!” He shouted in laughter. Rainbow Dash just looked towards Typhoon Clap with an unamused expression on her face.
“It’s not funny.” She flatly stated.
“You’re right it’s not funny. It’s bucking hilarious!” Typhoon Clap finished. On the other side of the boat, Pinkie Pie burst in a roar of laughter.
“Dashie got slapped by a Tuna. I never thought I would ever see that in my life without some situation involving me!” She stated. Fluttershy softly smiled towards Pinkie Pie’s direction.
“Nature can be so fascinating sometimes. That tuna had a good amount of stamina to ride the wave, slap Rainbow Dash with its tail and jump out of the boat back into the water.” She said in a voice of soft awe. Applejack looked towards Indigo’s face, who hid behind his shoulders as to not draw attention to himself.
“Ya been awfully quiet back there Indigo. Are ya alright sugarcube?” She asked with a concerned voice.
“…I’m fine Applejack. I just wish to not talk to anyone right now.” Indigo softly replied.
“Well, I for one am not a fan of your silence Indigo.” Rarity interjected. “While I understand that some ponies want to be silent from time to time, you look as though you always want to be by yourself darling. In fact, you seem to be rather uncomfortable around us. A friend of Pinkie Pie’s is a friend of ours darling, so you can feel free to tell us what is on your mind.” Indigo sighed before he looked towards Pinkie Pie’s direction, who innocently smiled and waved towards his direction. He then faced Rarity.
“Guess there’s no use in trying to avoid it now. I just feel like a loser. Everything I have been a part of, I have always never succeeded. I couldn’t hold down a job because I always make some sort of stupid mistake. I can’t even be a competent criminal. So I just asked myself ‘Hey Indigo, you suck at life. Why do you keep trying?’ Sometimes, I just lose the will to live. Pinkie Pie was nice enough to allow me to open up my feelings to her and I found something that may be worth living for. But…” Indigo looked towards Fluttershy and frowned. “…I just feel constantly reminded of my own guilt and failures. I just can’t see why I should live sometimes.” Spike looked curiously upon Indigo before he scratched his chin in thought.
“You know Indigo, it’s not really healthy to feel that way. From one non-pony with some tendencies to feel sad to another non-pony with some tendencies to feel sad, you just have to accept that no one is perfect. Some may fail more than others, but sooner or later, you’ll find something that you are good at. Heck, you’re traveling with a group of good ponies, even if some of the ponies on this boat are dragon killers.” He replied with a drip of spite near the end. “Just remember that even though you may fail at some things, you won’t fail at all things. In fact, you may even find a talent in monster hunting.” Indigo looked down towards Spike with a hint of a smile on his face.
“I think you are right. To be honest, the sound of monster hunting scares me, but I’m willing to try it. After all, I don’t have anything to lose.” He stated with a hint of happiness in his voice. Vitriolic Shot looked keenly towards the horizon until the sight of a verdant, forested mound appeared in a haze. He smiled.
“Everyone! Our destination is nearby! We are about to hit the shores of island codename ‘D-1,’ Wood Island! Please grab your hunting supplies and your weapons and get ready to have the time of your lives!” He shouted enthusiastically. Rainbow Dash looked towards Aunt Rainbow Dash.
“Is he always this chipper aunt Rainbow Dash? He seems really happy about landing on an island.” She questioned.
“Sometimes darling, wind and water currents lead the boat astray from the intended path. The fact that we make it to an area in a safe and sound manner is reason for excitement. Just look at your friend Pinkie Pie right now.” When Aunt Rainbow Dash said this, Pinkie Pie blew a pink party whistle. She smiled. “She has the right idea since usually, just reaching the island is half of the work. The other half is the task itself. Then, all island shores have major water currents that lead back to the Equestrian Outpost. It’s a nice tidbit of information to know, isn’t it darling?”
“I guess so…” Rainbow Dash said with an unsure tone.
“Just remember Dash, if any of my parents gives you any information on travel and hunting, I’d highly recommend that you’d take it. After all, they’ve been hunting for over twenty years.” Typhoon Clap informed.
“Typhoon Clap, would you be a dear and survey the shores of the island with Rainbow Dash? We want to check the conditions of the island before we hit the shore.” Aunt Rainbow Dash asked. Typhoon Clap stood on all fours and saluted.
“Yes mom!” He shouted in an almost militaristic fashion.
“Hey, anything you can do I can do better Clap.” Rainbow Dash stated.
“Are you sure you want to challenge me Dash? I have more experience in surveying lands than you.” Typhoon Clap asked in a confident tone. Rainbow Dash flipped her front hoof.
“Please Clap. I can reach that island, explore it and come back here faster than you ever will.” She stated in a very confident tone as she stood up on all four of her legs. Rainbow Dash and Typhoon Clap stared at each other before the both of them jetted into the air with rainbow trails behind them. Aunt Rainbow Dash turned towards Twilight Sparkle and bumped her shoulder with her front knee.
“My little Clap will always have a competitive spirit within him.” She stated.
“Well, looks like competitive nature is really is in Rainbow Dash’s blood. I’m going to have to examine her genealogy more carefully when I get back to Ponyville.” She stated.
Rainbow Dash and Typhoon Clap both landed on the shores of Wood Island simultaneously. The island stayed true to its name; large, thick trees covered a majority of what was in the island and some trees were even sparsely sprinkled throughout the shore. Underneath their hooves was soft, grainy sand with a few tufts of green grass underneath. The two pegasi walked along the shores of the island with examination present on their minds. The two walked around for a minute before the both of them smiled.
“Well Dash, looks like we can report to my parents that this island is safe to dock upon.” He stated.
“You know, I think I can beat you over to the boat.” Rainbow Dash stated with eyes brimming in challenge. Typhoon Clap competitively smiled towards her direction until his eyes picked up on a small, pink, slug-like creature. The creature set its eyes toward Rainbow Dash’s side. With a shrill roar, it jumped towards her. Rainbow Dash turned around only for her eyes to go wide-eyed at the creature aiming directly towards her. Panic overcame her face as the creature jumped at lightning speed. Just as it readied its claws, a blade was thrown through its body, impaling it. The creature screamed and squirmed in agony before it stopped moving. Rainbow Dash turned towards Typhoon Clap, who was on both of his hind legs. His forelegs were positioned for throwing, and his face sweated with panic. He breathed heavily. He dropped onto all of his legs.
“We have to warn the others about the spread of the Spleegs! They should not be at the shore at all!” He screamed.
“Woah there Clap, calm down! That was just one Spleeg. Sometimes creatures wander out of their areas.” Rainbow Dash stated with a mix of a nonchalant expression and a worry.
“Dash, that one Spleeg nearly ripped your flesh apart to reach your spleen! If that was one Spleeg, then there will be more. Come on now, we have to warn everyone else!” Typhoon Clap shouted as he flew quickly into the air. Rainbow Dash looked back towards the dead Spleeg with clear juices permeating from the wound. As realization hit her, a spell of fear was cast upon her.
“That could have been me laying there dead…” She softly said to herself in worry before she flew into the air.
Everyone on the boat looked towards the island with varying degrees of worry expressed on each of their faces. Finally, Typhoon Clap and Rainbow Dash arched towards the boat at fast speeds. The two of them had panic fresh on their faces.
“So Clap, Dash, how did the survey of the shore go. Is it safe for us to land?” Vitriolic Shot asked. Typhoon Clap grasped Vitriolic Shot by his shoulders.
“Dad! The shore is infested with Spleegs! We have to take caution when docking on the island lest we are the victim of a Spleeg ambush.” Typhoon Clap shouted with a twitchy eye.
“Yeah! One of those little things nearly tried to go after my spleen! If Typhoon Clap hadn’t saved my flank back there, then it would have been my flank that was feasted upon!” Rainbow Dash stated in panic. Vitriolic Shot tilted his head, slanted his eyes and hummed in rumination. He then looked back to Fluttershy and Rarity.
“Fluttershy, Rarity, the both of you have weapons that are capable of long-ranged assaults correct?” Fluttershy and Rarity looked down upon their crossbow and longbow.
“We do.” Fluttershy stated.
“Good. Then I want you to come to the bow of this boat with me. We’re going to launch an assault of bolts and arrows upon the shore. We want to kill as many of those nasty Spleegs as much as possible.” Vitriolic Shot stated. Twilight Sparkle looked towards Vitriolic Shot with despondent eyes.
“But… Mr. Vitriolic Shot. I also have a long-ranged weapon. Why can’t I be a part of the assault?” She asked. Vitriolic Shot looked down upon Twilight Sparkle. His eyes possessed a menacing look upon them that brought shivers down her spine.
“Listen very well to me Twilight. You have just only picked up Le Croissant De l’Alicorn and you don’t even know how to use it. As of now, you are carrying dead weight and you expect to be a part of this assault?! That is a very foolish thought coming from your mouth princess. It is words like those that have caused foolish warriors to die in battle and take their comrades with them! Next time you speak out of place and time, these words will seem like a light breeze compared to what I will do to you next!” He stated in a heavily angry tone. Twilight Sparkle’s eyes became wide-eyed and her mouth was agape. Tears flowed down from her eyes. Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Spike, Applejack, Rarity and Rainbow Dash all gasped in shock from how Vitriolic Shot spoke to Twilight. Aunt Rainbow Dash looked back and uneasily shushed the clamors of everyone behind her.
“Why, Mrs. Rainbow Dash, why are you telling us to be quiet?! Can’t you see that your beast of a-“As Rarity shouted in a very offended tone, Pinkie Pie covered Rarity’s mouth with her own hooves to shut her up.
“I understand your frustrations darling, really I do. He isn’t named ‘Vitriolic Shot’ for nothing. However, he is very experienced in his field. He knows what is best for everyone. Just… please do what is best for everyone on the boat and follow what he says. Rarity, Fluttershy, get your weapons out please.” Aunt Rainbow Dash somberly stated with a sigh. Rarity and Fluttershy frowned, but looked towards each other and nodded in resolve. They both got their weapons and walked over to the bow of the boat with Vitriolic Shot. Vitriolic Shot’s horn emanated with a green aura alongside a sinister-looking green crossbow which was levitated in the air. Rarity levitated her longbow and took out a red-feathered arrow with a mithril tip. Fluttershy grasped her crossbow with her forehooves and hovered over into the air. Twilight Sparkle sobbed, but Pinkie Pie pulled her in for a comforting hug. The boat arrived within meters of the island.