The time had finally come for the group to depart on the next leg of their journey. All but Pierre and Boo piled into the boat as Thibodeaux pushed it along. His airborne cousins flew ahead to lead the way and remove any pesky branches that would catch on clothes and hair. The mismatched family guided them expertly through the treacherous bayou toward their destination.
The sun slowly set on the horizon, lighting the swamp with a warm glow. Thibodeaux pull out a lantern from the bottom of the boat and affixed it to the bow with a long rod. Soon it would be dark and they would arrive at the lair of the voodoo queen, Auntie Gris-Gris.
"Der she be, cher," Boo whispered faintly as he alighted on the stern.
An old wooden ship towered out of the water, but in the dim twilight they could see that it was sandwiched neatly between two mighty trees. It was a triple masted vessel that had been old decades ago. Now it just looked decrepit. Swathes of moss hung from it in curtains and vines trailed down like the ropes that used to hang from the tattered rigging. As they approached, they noticed that a large hole had been punched in the hull, breaking straight through the keel, which gaped like a massive yawning mouth. The only light came from a porthole which must have been the galley. It twinkled lazily above the mouth, completely the grotesque face of the battered hulk that was about to swallow their much smaller vessel.
Thibodeaux must have been incredibly brave, because he continued to steer them straight into the awaiting mouth. Had it not been for the lantern, they would have been plunged into darkness. As it were, they found themselves in a cavernous room which must have been the cargo hold. Thibodeaux pulled the boat up to a rickety set of stairs and Pierre secured the boat. The big earth pony and his cousins stepped carefully onto the stairs, which groaned in protest.
Finn was much more skeptical. "Are you gentleman sure about those stairs? They look rather unstable to me."
To answer his question, Boo and Pierre made their way up the creaking stairs and alighted on the deck. Zecora followed close behind, looking around in awe and curiosity with a touch of a smile pulling at the corner of her lips. She felt right at home. Thibodeaux waited to help Derpy onto the stairs, but his face was pale. He didn't even blush this time. She accepted his hoof and walked alongside him up the stairs. Not wanting to be outdone, Finn quickly scrambled up behind them.
But then he felt a chill run down his spine. He stopped and glanced around quickly, but saw nothing. The others had already made it to the top and disappeared onto the deck, leaving him alone on the stairs; however, a sharp smack on his backside sent him barreling up the decrepit staircase. His eyes were widened in alarm at the unexpected touch from an unseen force. Something was definitely not right about this ship.
Finn panted as he caught up to the others on deck. Somehow, the two trees had grown into the ship itself, supporting the rotting timbers underhoof. Despite its age and obvious disrepair, it was still strong and sturdy. All eyes turned as a door on the deck creaked open ominously. An inviting glow seeped through the door. The local trio hesitantly led their new friends toward what was most likely the galley.
They entered the room to find it empty except for a wood burning stove with a roaring fire. Sensing no danger, everyone piled into the small bare room. Too bad their senses were off...
The door slammed shut behind them and the fire went out with a WHOOSH of air, plunging the room into total darkness.
A raspy voice croaked in the darkness, "Now what're y'all chilren doin' in my house? Comin' tah pay yer ole auntie a visit, are ya?"
Everyone froze, but Finn was the first to react. With a flick of his horn, he lit the tip in a small glowing orb revealing a wizened bat pony hanging from the ceiling mere inches from his face. Her golden eyes stared curiously into his own and her fangs showed through her wide grin. She cackled, "Hey there handsome."
Finn scrambled away from the bat and managed to bowl into Pierre and Derpy, knocking them into a jumbled pile on the floor. Zecora jumped gracefully out of Finn's path and pulled a glowing vial from her satchel. Gripping it in her teeth, she hurled it into the dark stove and it immediately erupted into bright green fire, lighting the entire room. The old bat crumpled to the floor, pulling a wing over her eyes to protect them from the harsh light. Zecora whipped out her strange staff to follow up her attack, but Boudreaux and Thibodeaux stood in her way. They were protecting the old mare.
She croaked, "Do y'all always try'ta blind folks when they's just tryin'ta say 'hello?'"
Boo replied, "Naw dat ain't fair, Auntie. What'chu expect 'um ta do after ya done near scared 'um ta death?"
"Bah, that's nothin'."
"That ain't the point, Auntie! These folks got a real important job ta do, an' we gonna need your help."
She raised an eyebrow, "An' what if I don't wanna be bothered?"
Zecora slid the stick onto her back and bowed deeply to the voodoo priestess. "I pray you are not too upset. My actions just now I certainly regret. For your help I desperately plead. Won't you help us in our hour of need? To retrieve that which is now lost, we will pay any cost."
The old bat cackled mirthfully, "Don't'chall worry none, child. I was just pullin' yer leg! If you've already won over these boys of mine, I'm sure y'all are worth my time."
The remaining three finally managed to untangle themselves and join the others. Finn finally managed to get a good look at the voodoo priestess. Auntie Gris-Gris, for it was undoubtedly she, was an old bat pony. Her navy blue coat had lost some of its luster in her old age and her mane was now grey and wiry. Her leathery bat like wings were only slightly larger than pegasi wings, and two small fangs poked out over her bottom lip. The only thing that seemed to escape the ravages of time were her eyes. They were sharp and curious like a clever child, but that sharpness bespoke a quiet strength that could prove lethal. Around her neck she wore a necklace of jagged teeth and some kind of plant bulb that Finn couldn't recognize.
He decided to enter the conversation. "So you'll help us?"
A playful glint sparked in her mischievous eyes as she sidled up next to him and nuzzled his neck. She purred, "Anything fer you, big boy."
Finn visibly shuddered at the older mare's flirtation. With an angry harrumph, she stepped way, wrenched open the door, and walked out onto the dark deck. He groaned. I really want to get out of this swamp.
Derpy bonked him on the head and hissed, "Smooth move, Finn." Fortunately, he had more tact than to bring up all of her needless screwups.
The group followed her out onto the deck, which actually wasn't so dark anymore. The waxing moon washed the deck in its pale glow, reminding him of what little time they actually had. With no idea where the portal had sent them, he had no idea how much more time they had left. By his best guess, the moon would be full in about a week, and then they would be out of time. This was no time for him to ruin their mission just because he hurt an old mare's feelings.
He trotted to catch up with the withered bat pony and pleaded, "I'm so sorry, Auntie Gris-Gris. Don't punish my friends because of my idiocy."
She didn't even break stride, but her sharp eyes flashed as she glared at him. This time there was a razor's edge in her stare. Finn knew that whatever he said was going to be weighed heavily and judged harshly. "Give me one good reason why I should assist you."
Finn was taken aback. Her voice had become smooth and youthful and her accent was completely gone. There was something very strange about this mare. Swallowing his surprise, Finn explained, "We have some terrible enemies who want nothing more than to plunge this world into war and chaos. If they get what they are after, then the world will burn."
The old bat pony continued undeterred. "I've heard as much from the spirits, but the world has faced dangers like this before and has never needed my help. Why should this time be any different? What is really driving you?"
She had seen through him. He would have to tell her the whole truth. He lowered his voice and dropped his gaze, "They have my friend. Derpy's daughter. You don't know what they are capable of. We have to find her before they do something terrible to her."
Auntie's eyes softened slightly, but her voice didn't lose its eerie cadence. "Now that is a worthy cause, and it is one that I will gladly assist."
Over the course of their tense conversation, the group had made it across the deck of the ship and entered into a massive stateroom in the stern. Auntie Gris-Gris struck a match and flitted around the room, lighting the lanterns scattered around. A large table dominated the room, covered with bones, plants, colored fabrics, giant wax candles, masks, and other paraphernalia that must have been associated with her particular brand of magic.
Zecora trotted over to examine the contents of the table while the others waited patiently in the doorway. They didn't want to interrupt their scary host. Finally, Gris-Gris finished illuminating the room and settled herself into a large wicker couch covered in plush cushions. She waved to them and six chairs pulled themselves away from the table. The visitors hesitantly settled into the proffered seats. The door creaked shut behind them.
She settled back into her normal accent, "So y'all need me ta help'ya find this Alicorn Amulet do-dad, huh?"
Derpy nodded. "Yes, ma'am."
Auntie nodded as well. She closed her eyes and threw back her head, mouth open wide in a silent scream. The lights dimmed as dense shadows danced across the walls. The contents of the table started to rattled and shook. Lastly, a large crystal ball floated off the table and levitated in place. All eyes turned to the clear crystal.
Dark smoke clouded the crystal and swirled around inside with the force of a tornado. Lightning flashed within, mesmerizing everyone who was watching. Suddenly, a fine web of cracks rapidly raced across the glass, and shattered with a crash raining tiny dust-like shards all around them. Auntie Gris-Gris lurched forward and smacked her head on the table. A rivulet of blood trickled down the side of the table.
Thibodeaux shot from his chair and quickly swept up the old bat in his powerful legs. Her muzzle was bleeding and she looked dazed. Something had obviously gone wrong with her magic. Ripping one of the sleeves from his shirt, Thibodeaux gently dabbed away the blood and cradled her shriveled body until Auntie slowly regained consciousness.
She groaned and sat up, still clutched against the gentle giant's body. She grabbed her head and mumbled, "Somethin blocked me. Y'all must got some strong enemies what don't want ya ta find this thing."
Finn was puzzled by her assessment. Their enemies wanted the amulet. Why would they want to slow them down? To make the challenge more interesting? Or maybe they had more enemies than they thought.
Derpy slumped against the table, tears streaming down her face. Auntie Gris-Gris was their only lead to finding Dinky, and now they were back to square one.
Auntie bit down on one of the buds growing around her necklace, and something truly miraculous happened. Her shriveled skin filled out. Her coat became glossy and soft. Her mane straightened and turned black as night. The only thing that remained the same were her eyes. Still sharp and youthful as ever.
Finn watched as she somehow regained her lost youth, or maybe she always looked like this. Whatever the case, she was absolutely gorgeous! Finn slapped himself internally. I REALLY want to get out of this swamp! Zecora, on the other hoof, looked quietly impressed, while the swamp trio didn't betray any surprise at all. It was as if they had seen this transformation many times before.
Her voice once again dropped its ridiculous accent as she calmly whispered, "Don't cry, my dear. All is not lost yet." Derpy looked up from the table, trying to identify the source of the new voice. She watched awestruck as the beautiful bat pony jumped from the stallions embrace and alighted gracefully upon the table. She reached back and grabbed the bloodstained cloth with one of her wings. Walking across the table, she pushed a large basin of clear water to rest directly in front of Derpy. Finn and Zecora gathered around her to see what the voodoo priestess would do next.
"I may not be able to see it, but there is another who can." She wrung the cloth with her wings and a single drop of blood dripped into the basin. She dipped a hoof into the water and gently swirled it around. When she lifted it out, the water had become like a window to another world.
There was water as far as the eye could see. Possibly an ocean? They watched as the window angled down to show a mighty whirlpool churning in the vast water. But there was only one thing that stood out amidst the endless sea. Some kind of building was nestled in the bottom of the whirlpool. The window zoomed in and they saw an island with a single massive building made entirely of marble and gold. Auntie continued, "There lives the Watcher. He is an ancient being who sees everything. He will be able to tell you where to find your Amulet."
For once it was Zecora who asked the hard question, "We cannot travel by water or air. How could we all get there?"
"I will provide you a boat, and guidance to the island. What you do after that is entirely up to you."
Finn replied, "We will graciously accept any help that you are willing to give us, my lady."
She smirked as if to say, you sure changed your tune quickly. But instead she turned to Zecora and motioned to the staff on her back. "All help comes at a price. I will offer my services, but you must trade me something of equal value."
She hesitated, looking pleadingly at Derpy and Finn. Finn had no idea what it was that made her so attached to her staff, but that look said it all. She would give anything else, but she wouldn't part with that staff. He couldn't let her give up something that obviously meant so much to her.
Finn interrupted, "Perhaps there is something I can give you instead. I happen to be a master of the arcane arts as well. If it's an enchantment you want, I'm the best around!" He even tilted his hat and flashed a cocky grin, hoping to sell the idea.
Auntie laughed, "Not a chance, big boy. Your magic isn't anything like ours, and I'm offering you something pretty substantial."
"How about money? I am fabulously wealthy."
"What need have I of money? I have my home and my work. There is nothing I need that I cannot obtain on my own."
Finn was flummoxed by her dismissal of him, so he had to put the ball in her court. "Name your price then. Zecora should not have to give up her prized possession for my sake. This whole quest is my fault anyway."
She pondered this for a bit, then she rounded on him with her mischievous grin. "There is one thing..."
Gulp. He didn't like the look she was giving him. "Y-yes?"
She nuzzled up to him again. "Marry me."
Six jaws dropped to the floor as the room was plunged into a deathly silence. Finn recoiled from her and backed up frantically until he hit the wall behind him. "M-marriage?! With you?! I don't even know you!"
"Y'all can't be serious, Auntie!" sputtered Boo.
She ignored him. "Oh, don't worry dear. I'll be a great wife 'til death do us part. And even then, I can always bring you back as a zombie. Besides," she wiggled her curvaceous body in front of him, "don't tell me you don't want this all to yourself."
Every synapse in his brain was screaming It's a trap!!! He immediately wracked his brain to find some suitable alternative, but he knew she wouldn't be dissuaded.
"Nopony should be forced into marriage this way. Don't worry, my friend, your price I will pay." Zecora walked over and slammed her staff down on the table. Finn could have kissed the wonderful zebra, but he still felt bad about letting her take the heat.
"Are you sure, Zecora?"
She nodded, but didn't elaborate any further. Auntie Gris-Gris looked slightly disappointed, but immediately examined her prize carefully. Then she set it back on the table and whistled sharply. The group listened as they heard a dull repetitive THUNK coming from outside. It got closer and closer, until suddenly the door flew open and... a staff hopped inside all on it's own. It was slightly longer than Zecora's and the wood was much darker.
Even Zecora was surprised when the staff hopped next to her and started rubbing against her like a cat before jumping onto her back, taking the place of her previous weapon.
Gris-Gris explained, "This is a coco macaque, also known as a Spirit Stick or a Zombie Staff. As you can see, it can walk on its own and on top of that it will obey any order you give it... within reason. It shall lead you on the next leg of your journey."
Finn and Zecora both felt the strange and otherworldly power that radiated from the strange tool. Somehow they felt that there was more to it than what they were told.
"And what about the ship?" Finn asked.
"Hmph, not even a 'thank you.' Your manners need a bit of work," She smirked playfully, "We'll have to work on that during our honeymoon." Realizing that Finn was not amused by her joke, she continued, "The ship is moored on the other side of the trees. My ...friends... have been stocking it with supplies since we struck our bargain. It will be ready to sail within the hour. Unless there is anything else that you need of me, you may leave whenever you like."
Finn and Zecora thanked their host, though neither was very sincere about it. Zecora was wary of her new staff, and Finn was not entirely sure that she had given up on wooing him. But Derpy hesitated. She had been staring at the basin for the duration of the conversation. Her eyes glowed with intensity as she begged, "Please, can you show me my daughter? I want to see her. To make sure she is okay."
"Of course, dear. Please, let me see your hoof."
Derpy stretched her hoof over the basin. With lightning speed, Auntie Gris-Gris lurched forward and sunk her fangs into the offered leg. A few drops of blood dripped into the water before Derpy ripped her leg back in surprise. Auntie licked her lips, savoring the metallic taste on her tongue.
"Sacrifice is always needed to see the things unseen." Once again, she swirled her hoof in the basin and a new image formed on the surface.