//------------------------------// // Chapter 8: Road Trip!- or Sky Trip? // Story: Chaos Lands: The Quest For Harmony // by Zoodude255 //------------------------------// The captains quarters were more comfortable than the rest of the ship. Starlight and her companions had quickly realized that the whole affair was a hastily thrown together and patched over many times deal. The balloons seemed to be more patches than balloon, the crew looked they would munity at the first sign of larger glories, and many were hungry. It was no surprise, since the food that Shadow Skies cook served couldn’t really be considered fit for consumption. “Now, suppose you 3 tell me what you were doing in the territory of the great Shadow skies?” the Pegasus said. “We can’t.” Said Fletcher shortly. “Hold on miss. What’s the deal betwixt you and this here Shadow?” asked crabapple. Fletcher huffed, and began. “Shadow and I were originally part of the same gang. But she decided to be stuck up-“ “Untrue! I saw greater glories in the heavens!” Skies interrupted. “- and she left to seek her life in the skies, where “true pegisii belong, not skulking on the ground like a worm” Fletcher sneered. “THOSE were the last words you gave me before I left. And look at you now… starved, poor, in a floating wreck, working for anyone with a bit of meat and some gold. You disgust me! We started out so well!” “Now, hold on, missy.” Said Crabapple. “NO! This has been a long time in coming, Crabapple, and I intend to do it!” Fletcher withdrew a knife from her belt and flew across the table. Shadow saw it coming however, and blocked it with her own dagger. A fight would have broken out, had not Starlight used her magic to create a barrier between the two pegisii. “Enough chit chat. Shadow, where is the element of Loyalty?” The Pegasus looked confused. “You know…the lightning bolt?” “Oh that…I uh…I lost it.” “HOW” Starlight used her magic to conjure spikes in the wall, and slowly moved it toward Shadow. “Don’t we need her?” whispered Crabapple. “Yeah…but she doesn’t know that yet.” Starlight replied with a grin. She continued to push the walls further and further in, until she saw Shadow’s eyes grow wide. “Alright, alright! It’ll tell you!” She cried. “I lost it in a game of cards! I had to bet it all. This isn’t even my ship! I bought it with what little I could save from the game! “So…the old ship has your element?” “Yes! Now get these off!” Starlight sighed and the magic spikes went away. Shadow breathed easily again. She led the ponies to a room where she kept her maps and charts. Opening one, she spread it on the table. She pointed with her hoof to a remote location, some miles away from where any town should have stood. “But there’s nothing there.” Said starlight. She had memorized maps of all of Choatica when Discord had told her she would be given a piece. The area Shadow suggested was empty of life. “As far as you know. I know, however, that there is the remains of a town called Appoloza. Now of course, its just a ghost town, but ponies still life there.” Crabapple replied. “How’d you know that?” inquired Starlight. She disliked being wrong. “The old Apple family lived near there, before they were given a rule over Ponyville.” “well, the saloon at least is still open. I lost it there about 4 months ago. As far as I know, its hasn’t moved. “Then get this hunk of junk in gear and let’s go!” said Fletcher angrily. “It’s…not that simple…” said Shadow shly. “WHYYYYYYYYYY.” Said Flecther, dragging out her words to make it sting. “I’m…kinda…not allowed back in.” repldied Shadow sheepishly. “UGH” moaned Starlight. “Well, fly us as close as you can, and we’ll get it for you.” “No way!” said Shadow. “Why should i?” “Because if you take us there, we’ll win your ship back.” Said Crabapple. “Are you crazy? What would-“ Fletcher started. “Deal! And I’ll fly where ever you need to go!” said Shadow heartily. “Then all’s settled; Shadow, fly us in.” “Aye aye, cap’n Crabapple!” said Shadow, flying out the door, and the rest of them could hear the Pegasus yelling at her crew to ready the balloons for a flight. “Fletcher, send a letter to Scales.” Said Starlight. “He needs to know, and so does the rest of your gang.” Fletcher nodded. Her pink butterfly glowed, and a scroll appeared.