//------------------------------//
// The Flock 
// Story: Fate's a Funny Thing 
// by Honest Wisdom 
//------------------------------//

I slid the gem into it's slot and sat back. the mirror turned cloudy as the Gem began to glow."Call Twilight." the fog on the mirror cleared and revealed the lavender Alicorn, hunched over the books she recently received through the mail. "'Sup Twi."

She jumped slightly and looked over. "Oh Wisdom, You got the mirror to work." She walked over to her side of the mirror. "Have you found anything yet?"

"Not yet. But we're headed west in hopes of finding a new continent. there's definitely something there. I'm sure that we'll discover a few islands along the way, Bluey will be sure to chart them."

"That's wonderful!"

"I have you to thank for that. If you hadn't provided the ship or the crew I wouldn't have been able to do so much. with them Bluey can chart the island, Grease Stain pilots the ship and i can offer a Detailed report of the environment with the help of Shimmering Rose the botanist."

She nodded. her smile began to fade. "Listen, since you left, Sombra has begun hanging out with the CMC..." She pouted. "Something happened with them and now he won't come out of his room."

I frowned, that couldn't be good. "Did you ask the girls?"

"That's just it, I asked Applejack for Applebloom and appearently she's acting the same way. When I asked Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, they said they had no idea."

My frown deepened. "I'll talked to him." I tapped the gem and the image faded. "Call Sombra." the fog swirled and I saw Sombra's room the colt was pacing his room angrily. "Hey Sombra, how's life?"

A book flew at the mirror and bounced off. "I hate it! First I'm defeated by a baby dragon and an idiot princess, then I come back to wreak my horrible revenge, then I'm fooled by some Gryphon who turns me into a foal and then makes me wear humiliating outfits and fulfill a motherly urge by coddling me constantly then I find that Pegasi and Earth ponies' can use magic in a far more potent form than Unicorns. Now you show up to rub it in my face." He finished and collapsed in a heap.

I waited a few seconds and spoke. "Are you done?"

"Yeah." he mumbled

"Well if I didn't know any better I'd think life was out to get you," I started. "But I happen to know that's not the case. It seems like life has given you more than enough chances to get your plot in shape." I narrowed my eyes at him. "Three times. You died twice. I think whatever deity is in charge of this universe has a vested interest in you shaping up and learning the Magic of Friendship. so stop sulking and tell my what in tartarus is up with you and Applebloom."

He flinched. "Well..."





I finished lecturing Sombra and tapped the gem. After the Cloudy look returned to the screen I headed up to the deck. I leaned on the banister and looked off into the distance, noticing a massive storm cloud coming our way at incredible speeds. 

I squinted and noticed something in the eye of the storm. I jumped over the ledge and flew up to the crows nest. I swung the telescope in the direction of the storm and saw and airship. The ship was heavily armed and flew a pirate flag. My heart beat-ted rapidly.

Rapidly knocking open doors and shouting I flew through the halls waking the crew. "Pirates!" Knocking down the door to my room, I grab my machete. the urge to protect the crew was burning in my veins. The Flock protects each other. When I returned to the top deck the entire Crew was preparing for an attack. The storm was already upon us, in my head I prepared the combat spells I would need.

"What in Celestia's mane is going on?" Bluey trotted over to me. "Why is everypony up?"

"Pirates." I rumbled. The rain was sliding off of my feathers. "There are mages on that ship."

"You mean Unicorns?"

"No, Gryphon Mages. like me." My wings snapped out in a hostile display. my crest began to rise. "I'm going."

"I'm coming with you." he demanded. His horn glowed, a bright flash followed by a sword clattering on deck. "And don't think of abandoning me here."

"Fine, but you do as I tell you, no screaming." I pick him up and let my wings release the pent up fire. The rain fizzes and evaporates when it hits the flames. I take off, ignoring the gawking stares as I leave.





I drop Blueblood on the deck and land with a thud, signaling our arrival. The magic thrums under my claws, a raw and powerful feeling. I could barely make a single cloud and this mage was making an entire storm. 

I blaze my wings even brighter to allow light for Bluey. A gryphon attacks me with a large sword. I rise to my hind legs and strike him between the wings. He howls and strikes for my legs. I chop off his arm with a single cut. 

Blueblood didn't seem to be having much trouble. He moved the sword with expert precision in his magic. he managed to move out of the way of blows and countered them in a very intricate fashion. He seemed like he didn't need my help.

I barreled through the crowd of Gryphons and busted down the door to the lower parts of the ship. Following the vibrations of magic I broke down any doors and cut down any guards in my way. I break down the door and my heart stops. A circle of hatchlings chained to each other huddle close to the wall in fear. A couple of unicorns and a dragon were thrown into the mix. 

I lower my wings and let my crest settle. "hey there, it's okay." I start to get closer.

A feral growl sounds through the room. A pair of glowing eyes appear and a mouth full of razer sharp teeth snap at me. I tumble back and snap open my wings. A emerald green dragon towers over me, chains keeping it fastened to the wall. I gulp and close my wings. "Stay away from them." he growls.

"I just want to get them out of here. I can help you too." I reach for the chains.

He laughs. "If i can't break them what makes you think you can." I place both claws on the chains and apply a large amount of fire magic through them. the chain glows red hot and snaps. He stares at me in awe. 

"Help me with the children."