//------------------------------// // Chapter 15: Expedition // Story: Forever Is a Long Time // by Hoosier Brony //------------------------------// “Raining, of course it would be raining,” Rapid Quill thought, running from location to location in Ponyville. To say he was pleased with the extra work he had been given, due to a favor gone wrong, would be false. To say he was very upset would be false as well, but to a lesser degree. The previous day, Spike had been tasked with helping run his shop while the author had written into his story. The problem had been the number of “free” books the young dragon had given out, mistakenly of course. Today was not the nicest day to have to go around and try to collect for the mistake. Having already worked through the first half of the list of customers who had been given an extreme discount, Quill was conflicted. On one hoof, he had already collected on most of the books, either receiving payment or receiving the book back. Most of the ponies had been understanding and kind enough to right the mistake. On one occasion, the author had found it ok to offer the book at a discount, partly as a gesture of apology for the mistake, and partly because the story was one he was happy to see shared with an interested pony. ‘Anypony interested in reading the tales of Fetlock Holmes should be able to,’ he had thought, his spirits having picked up. “I shouldn’t have to do this,” he said, getting thoroughly soaked in the storm. “Celestia, I wish I was at home writing…” He continued on, running from overhang to overhang, thinking about the story he wanted to put down on parchment. A bell rang out, echoing across Horseshoe Bay, as yet another ship was preparing to launch for the open waters east of Equestria. The crew on board was the standard type, a hodge-podge of various types of residents from both Equestria and the lands across the seas. Even the passengers were a mixed group, some tourists interested in seeing the far lands of the globe, a few minotaurs present for a return trip to their native land, and there were also four mercenaries, three ponies and a griffon who did their best to not attract the attention of the happy guests of the ship. The mercenaries had a mission, one that would involve much danger upon their landing in the land of Krynn. They were tasked with finding, containing, and returning the prized ox of the minotaur king, which had recently escaped and was wreaking havoc upon the nearby villages. This ox was unlike other oxen though, being roughly twice the size of a normal ox and five times stronger. What would’ve been an easy task, had they been allowed to kill the creature, was going to be more difficult as the king wanted the ox returned alive and well. Breathing in a blast of ocean air, as the ship began its voyage across the sea, cutting through the waves with an impressive speed, Spring Galloway smiled, the thought of yet another adventure tickling his writer’s mind. He had traveled with his companions for four years now, learning the trade of fighting both with weapons and without, yet not a single day went by that he didn’t wake up reinvigorated at what a chance encounter had brought. Ever since falling in line behind the pegasus named Beaming Justice, who had saved the hapless earth pony’s hide more than once, Spring had found enough inspiration to start writing a list of epic tales and trials that his protector and friend had taken place in. One day, I’m going to be famous for the stories that this one pony alone has been witness to, he thought to himself, with a gleam in his eye. Though he had traveled with a band of ruffians for the past four years, he never quite adopted their bloodlust or “charming” personality, always enjoying a smile and hoofshake whenever the opportunity arose. That was the reason he was on deck, enjoying the lightly clouded skies above, and the spraying splash of the waves below, instead of below deck, where the three others were sharpening their weapons, discussing tactics, or drinking themselves stupid. Some days the author found himself wondering if he had ever made a mistake by agreeing to go along with the band he had fallen in with, but when an adventure occurred and he bore witness to greatness, he knew he was making the right choices. Beaming Justice was an honorable pegasus, though he pretended to be meaner than he actually turned out to be. The two had become close, through the times that brought much laughter and the times that brought sorrow. The unicorn and griffon that they traveled with on this journey were not longtime acquaintances, though Hesperus, the unicorn, had traveled with them over the past few months. The griffon, Grinnail, was just picked up from the most recent night spent at the bar where the two had originally met. She was interested in the bounty that would be granted with the completion of the task they were assigned and shared no other allegiances with the small group. As night fell, and the chilly air temperatures pushed many of the passengers off the main deck, Spring found himself heading back to the cabin the four would share. The trip wouldn’t last too long, the land of Krynn being a ten day trip by boat, but the group made sure to request a bigger cabin than usual. Griffons tended to be bigger than the standard pony, and so, with a pegasus in tow as well, the group decided they needed more room for wings. As Spring approached the door to the cabin, he heard raucous laughter rolling out from within. Seems they got into the rum early on this trip, Spring thought, rolling his eyes. He couldn’t understand how anypony could drink on a boat, the waves already making his stomach a little anxious. Reaching a hoof out to knock the code symbol, as mercenaries were notorious for overreacting to a door opening suddenly, he stopped, listening at the door to the conversation from within. “…and then I tossed him over the side of the cliff,” Hesperus said, the other two erupting in laughter. “You should’ve seen the look on his face, like I was actually going to let him go just because he asked nicely. What a wimp!” The three mercenaries continued laughing, spitting some rum they had begun drinking at the wrong time. “Speaking of wimps, what’s the story with the land pony?” Grinnail asked sternly, casting an eye at the two tough ponies before her. Hesperus stopped his laughter and looked cautiously to Justice. He was well aware of the bond that the two had developed, though he himself had wondered the same. Just what is a strong, brave warrior like Justice doing with a weakling like Gallows? he had wondered. Unfortunately, he had seen this line of questioning come to two conclusions. He nervously waited to see which conclusion would arrive today. “What about him?” Justice asked, the seriousness of his voice betraying the fake smile on his face. He furrowed his brow, challenging the griffon to debate the issue. “I just mean, he looks easier to break in half than the spear you carry around,” she said, not realizing the thin ice she was treading on. She noticed the reaction from the unicorn, whose eyes just shifted back to the pegasus leader of the group. “Look if there’s something going on between you two, I’ll drop it,” she said, pulling another mouthful of the rum. At this, the pegasus jumped up, his wings flaring out. With a loud shout he pointed out, “Since I met Gallows, I have completed over sixty missions or tasks that were offered to me. In that time, numerous other ponies, taurs, and even griffons have fallen, unable to withstand the rigors of battle that he and I alone have worked through. That pony is more worthy as a member of this group than you can imagine. Now, if you have a problem with this, let me know and I’ll happily kick your ass back to land!” Grinnail shook her head with a dumbfounded smile. I’ll believe it when I see it, she thought to herself. She had sized up the leader of this group and, deeming him as too much of a problem, decided to keep her beak shut. With that, he sat back down, content at the lack of reaction from the griffon. A knock at the door, in a precise pattern and tone, indicated that the pony in question had returned. Allowing him entry into the tense room, Justice had him sit across from the haughty griffon and passed him some rum. Not wanting to be an issue, Spring begrudgingly took a sip, drawing a look from Grinnail. “We need entertainment,” Justice said, still coming down off his adrenaline shot. Turning to Spring, he clapped the pony on the back, causing a copious amount of rum to spill onto the floorboards. “Tell us a story Gallows. How about the one about when we defeated the griffon bandits at the marsh next to the Equine Sea?” He had said this with some spite, while looking at Grinnail. Not wanting to make the situation any worse than it already was, Gallows proceeded to tell the story of the band of cannibalistic mares that they had encountered while heading towards a simple protection job. The group of hired thugs they had taken on that trip was cut down from ten to four by the time the mares were destroyed. Their dangerous nature was only discovered by the dwindling numbers and a chance discovery late at night by Spring as he witnessed an earth pony devoured alive, oblivious to his fate as he was trapped under the spell of the mares. It was one of the adventures that stuck with Spring the most, as a moment when he questioned his life’s calling, but also one adventure he had memorized for his stories in the future. The story did enough to calm the room, as any good story that involves monsters, cunning, bravery, and a little luck seem to have that affect on goons for hire. The four travelers settled down shortly after that, the rum supply depleted for the night, and turned in for rest. Waking in the middle of the night, an internal sense that something was different, Spring rolled over from his cot and looked around. He saw Grinnail’s tail tuft lazily swinging back and forth from her cot above. Looking to his right, he saw Hesperus in his normal sleeping state, with one eye always open and pointed at the room, causing Spring to shudder. When he looked at the cot above Hesperus, Spring saw the cot was vacant, the door to the cabin slightly ajar. Getting out of his cot as quietly as he could, and failing miserably, Spring attempted to exit the cabin and find Justice. He noticed that his actions had caused Grinnail’s tail to momentarily stop swinging, as she stared at the wall before falling back asleep, and he received an upset, but tired, look from Hesperus, who laid back down and switched which eye remained open. Walking out into the corridor leading to the deck, Spring stretched and began his search. As he walked up to the deck, stepping around the deckhooves who kindly smiled, before realizing which of their passenger groups he belonged with, then walked away hurriedly with nervous expressions, he scanned the railings until he found a familiar shadow on the starboard side. He stood next to his friend, alternating his line of sight to the horizon and then back to Justice. As the minutes passed, the two companions said no words, just letting the cold night breeze blow in their faces, their manes ruffling behind them. “You know I heard, right?” Spring said, casting a sideways glance at the pegasus he had followed for years now. “You know I don’t care either, right?” With a sigh, Justice closed his eyes, his muscles tensing slightly. “But I do care. She had no right to judge you, and she couldn’t have been more wrong.” He looked over at the bemused grin of his author friend. “What? Why are you looking at me that way?” he asked with a chuckle. “ ‘Couldn’t be more wrong?’ “ Spring mimicked, laughing quietly. “Justice, look at me. I’m the scrawniest sellsword that ever was. We all know that I’m only here to report of the triumphs of the group. If I was to meet a real fight, I’d be next to useless.” He laughed again, but suddenly stopped when he looked over and saw the stern concern on Justice’s face. “Don’t say that,” Justice said, squaring himself up to face his friend. “Spring, where you are today compared to the foal that walked into that tavern four years ago is a mountainous difference. I have seen you in action numerous times, fighting off bandits and beasts. And yet here you stand, ready again to enter into danger.” “I’m sorry, but if you’re going to consider what I’ve done as ‘fighting’ then I’m afraid you need to redefine it,” Spring said, turning back towards the waves. “Have I fought and killed a beast? Yes. But you make it sound like I’m some warrior or something. Most of my experience is either getting lucky by fighting someone who barely knows what they are doing, or getting rescued by you. Do you know that I’ve entered many of our conflicts shaking in my armor? Some big thug I am…” Justice put a reassuring hoof on his friends back. “I believe there is more to you than even you know. You are becoming more skilled at the spear every day. Only you seem to have noticed that I left the cabin tonight. I mean, you mention being so scared entering into these conflicts, yet you still charge on. Someday, you’ll see yourself as more than just ‘the reporter of triumph.’“ He sat with his friend, looking out at the ever reaching seas, then leaned over and nudged the earth pony beside him. “And yes, I have heard the distinct rattle of shaking armor before.” Spring turned quickly, his face shocked and red, but burst out laughing at the large smile on his friend’s face. The two had developed quite a friendship in time, going from being the burden that cost Justice a peaceful night, to two ponies that could share anything with each other. They had talked about their hopes and dreams, Spring wanting to write his epic tale while Justice just wanted to rid the world of the evils it contained. They had talked about their past, though Justice’s seemed to only be full of fighting and death. They had even comforted each other when injured in a conflict. Spring had only suffered superficial wounds, light scratches or shallow cuts, but he could’ve sworn that Justice should’ve died twice over for some of the wounds he had taken. It was just another part of how amazing a character this pegasus was, a character that Spring enjoyed writing about in his spare time. As the cold air started to bother the younger earth pony, the two decided to call it a night and head back to the cabin. Spring was feeling a little better having talked to his friend, but he still worried about the feelings their short term griffon companion harbored against him. To Tartarus with her, he thought. I don’t care what she thinks of me. As long as Justice is here, then what should I be afraid of? Four days into the voyage, a commotion was heard on deck. Most of the crew of the ship had been hired by the ship’s owner. Hired hooves, which are easily found on any port, are not always the most trustworthy of ponies. In this instance, an aspiring pirate named Ivory Bones had not only been hired, but was made second mate under the captain and his chosen first mate. Now, Ivory Bones had a reputation as a strong deckhoof, which got him hired, but was less known for his notorious side. He had liked to rob the passengers on the ships he rode, maybe brutally hunt an indigenous pony on the lands they came to, or even attempt to instill a mutiny in his time, though no such thing had occurred, until this fateful voyage. A shout rang out in the early morning hours, the captain had been found dead in his quarters, his throat slit clean across, and pandemonium ensued. As the deckhooves attempted to alert the first mate, Ivory Bones had stood in their way, his small band of mutineers forcing them backwards against the railing. Ivory explained that in instances like this, there are two choices, the sea or the ship. The choice belonged to the ponies, who could decide whether they wished to perish or join his crew. One of the stewards had shouted out to the first mate, his call cut off when a sword was thrust deep into his chest by a pegasus mutineer from above. Unfortunately, this shout was enough to raise the alert for all those below decks, causing some curiosity and fear. The first mate stepped up onto the deck and was immediately hit in the forehead with an axe swung by Ivory Bones himself. Having now risen to command pony, the pirate turned on the crew and offered the choice again, many falling in line. Their first order was to tie up those who still wished to disobey. From below, the passengers were milling about, unsure what was happening on the deck or what to do. Some of the sailor ponies had descended upon them and were demanding they head on deck, roughly shoving a few. As all the passengers lined up on deck, they couldn’t help but see the first mate pony, bloody axe still sticking from his forehead, crumpled in the corner. “Fillies and gentlecolts,” Ivory Bones said, stepping over the carcass and wrenching the axe out with a sickening sound. “The ship is now under new command and our course, I’m afraid, has changed. I would kindly ask that all of you please enter the dinghy located here to my right in an orderly fashion.” After some in the crowd grumbled about their possessions below deck, Ivory’s eerily calm demeanor got worse and he shouted, “EVERYPONY GET IN THE BOAT OR SO HELP ME!” With this shout, he swung his axe and hit one of the sailor ponies who had defied his offer, slicing the pony’s neck almost clean through. With a gurgle, the pony shook slightly on the deck, before becoming still and being thrown over the side by a mutinous unicorn. Needless to say, this demonstration had the desired effect on the passengers, who lined up and got in the dinghy provided, after emptying whatever valuables they may’ve possessed at the time. When the four mercenaries were approaching their time to get in the dinghy, they were spotted by one of the crew who knew of their profession and whispered excitedly in Ivory Bones’ ears. “You!” he shouted, pointing at the group. “Are you going to be giving me any kind of trouble? Because I don’t want no heroes here today.” The group looked on with disgust in their eyes, but shook their heads. Justice stepped forward, shaking with rage at the butchery they were witness to, but was forced back by a crew member at Ivory’s behest. The dinghy had been filled beyond its capacity and was being lowered over the side. “Aww, it appears that there is just no more room for the rest of you,” Ivory said, with a menacing laugh. The four mercenaries were joined by five passengers who were crying out in agony, having missed their only chance of ridding themselves of this nightmare. As they watched the dinghy float away, a small island off in the distance being their destination, the ponies and minotaurs on board rowing as fast as they can, assured of their protection and blessing their luck, Ivory looked on with a malicious grin. After the boat had gone out approximately two hundred spans, he nodded to one of the pegasi in his command. Those left onboard watched on with horror as the pegasus swooped down, picking up a barrel of powder and a torch and flew out towards the boat. Cries of anguish accompanied those who were forced to watch as the pegasus approached the dinghy. The escaped hostages saw his approach and cried out as well. With a small puff of smoke, the barrel’s fuse was lit and the pegasus dropped it into the middle of those who were granted their freedom. The resulting explosion tore the dinghy to pieces, shredding all who were aboard it. What few passengers remained on the ship cried out in horror, sure of the fate that awaited them, but the small band of mercenaries stood strong. If a fight was to come, they knew they would be prepared. Unfortunately, Ivory Bones’ crew had been watching the group during the length of the trip and was well aware of who they considered the leader. With a sudden shout, Justice was sprung on from behind, two pirate ponies wrestling him to the ground. “I see the bloodlust in your eyes,” Ivory said, slowly sauntering over to the pegasus. “I know what you are thinking, and no, there is no escape. So, I’m going to level with you. Join me and fight under me or die, and don’t you dare think I won’t kill you if you step one hoof out of line.” Spring watched as Justice’s glare became more intense, a fire burning deep down in his eyes. Had he not been ambushed, he could’ve defeated this monster, probably even by himself. Spring watched as the pirate pony stepped over, stopping right in front of his friend’s face, and bent down to look him dead in his eyes. Suddenly, Justice spit out at the pirate, chuckling under his breath. Ivory Bones stood up, a calm anger on his face, and with a flash that few ponies were able to follow, cut a deep gash in the front of Justice’s shoulder. Blood spilled forth, staining the deck, and a shocked cry could be heard from the pony. Those who were atop him jumped off, not wanting to bathe in the gore issuing forth, and the injured pegasus’ wings shot out, flailing about in pain. The look of shock on his face turned to one of pure hatred and anger, but before he was able to react, Ivory Bones lashed out again and cut a deep slash across his other shoulder. Justice fell to the deck, unable to stand himself up, all functions of his legs failing. The mutineers were laughing, spitting and cursing at the feeble attempt of the pony to stand or use his wings for support. With a wicked laugh, the newly formed pirate captain reached down and cut the pony across the back, directly between the two wings, causing them to fail as well. As Justice seethed in anger and pain, the captain reached down, grabbing him by the mane, and dragged his body across the deck, roughly throwing him overboard. “Everypony, come watch the cripple as he drowns!” he laughed. With a loud clap, and a sudden blast of air, Grinnail took off, shooting up into the sky, her path weaving through the rigging. The other ponies on board watched her ascent, providing just enough of a distraction for Hesperus to lash out with his magic, knocking two mutineers over the railing and into the sea below. He valiantly turned, ready to lash out at the next group, with a yell that was quickly cut off. With a terrified look upon his face, he peered down and noticed a sword blade sticking through his hide in the middle of his chest. The color began draining from the pony, the world around him turning black, as he watched the sword slowly pulled back through his body. With a thud, he hit the deck. The mutineers looked up, trying to find the griffon that had caused this mess, and began laughing and cheering heartily, as they watched her tail fly off in the distance. Realization dawned on a few, who turned to look at the fourth member of this group. Still standing, having not moved a single muscle, this last mercenary was staring at where the pegasus was thrown off. This last pony shook with anger, realizing Ivory Bones walking up in front of him, and screamed in his face, “YOU’LL HAVE TO KILL ME OR DIE YOURSELF!” With a snicker, Ivory Bones raised the butt of his axe and delivered a crunching blow to bold pony’s forehead. Pain shot through Spring Galloway’s head as he slowly came back to consciousness. Slowly opening his eyes and trying to focus the blurred visions he was getting, his first realization was that he was no longer rocking like he felt on the boat. He sat up, alarmed, and felt a massive headache from the quick action. Blinking out the pain, he looked around and found himself on the small island, the ship carrying the pirate crew in the distance, pulling away. Dear Celestia, they’ve marooned me, he thought, still getting his bearings. The island had but one small patch of trees, no fruit of any kind hanging off of their branches. He could find no trace of any item that could make a weapon and the only water within sight was too dangerous to drink. If I’m lucky, I may last three days out here, he thought. The idea of perishing made him think back to the hectic last minutes on the ship. Watching, as his friend was brutalized, their companion run through, and the new griffon running away, and not doing anything to assist had been a cowardly move. Now, he was to die a cowardly death, waiting as thirst and hunger destroyed him from the inside. With a sigh, he walked over to the trees, taking some small comfort in their shade and wishing that the pain in his head would stop. As he watched the ship pulling further and further away, he began to contemplate the choices that had brought him to this moment. Had he not wanted to write the perfect story of a fighting pony, he would’ve never been stupid enough to enter the fateful tavern. He smiled sadly. Had I not gone to that tavern, I never would’ve met Beaming Justice and gone on all these stupid adventures. But I guess all things have to end eventually. What a good story this would’ve made. Suddenly, a shape moving out on the horizon caught his notice. Whatever was flying around out there was bigger than the birds Spring had noticed by the ship, but it was still too far away to see. As the creature came more into view, Spring felt himself boiling with anger. “Go away!” he shouted, finally recognizing the griffon flying directly at him. “You left us! You left when we needed your help!” Grinnail landed on the island, frustrated at the welcome that she had gotten. Her actions were purely to save her own feathers, yes, but the situation was a lost cause. As if to prove this, she snapped her beak at the pony and shrugged her shoulders, the load on her back falling hard to the sand. Spring was still upset at the griffon, wanting nothing more that to lash out and attack her, but the falling shape caught his attention. Walking towards it, glaring at the traitorous griffon, he cast another glace and gasped with horror. Spring fell to the ground, landing inches away from the corpse of his close friend and leader. The blood no longer was flowing from the numerous wounds afflicted on him, but the worst sight was the bloated throat and frothy foam leaking out of his mouth. “What happened? Where did you find him?” Spring asked, his anger melting away. He looked up at the griffon, his heart aching yet his outward appearance showing no signs of his depression. “I found him face down on the top of the water a while back,” she had said, taking a step back from the pony. His eerily calm presentation confused and worried the griffon. “I’d say he drowned, probably before the wounds killed him.” The utter disregard for their current situation, stranded on this island with no hope for rescue, vehemently upset Spring, yet only a slight furrow crossed his brow. He sat down next to Justice and ignored the griffon, who walked over to rest beneath the trees. Night began to fall as the two remained in their spots; the griffon contemplating her next move; the pony just staring at his friend’s body. ************************************************************************************************************** The laughter… That maniacal, insane laughter… Blackness everywhere… A voice, no, five voices, shouting out… Why? Why is it always like this? Suddenly, a light blue glow emanating from the darkness… No! No, let it be over!!... The approaching clops sounding like thunder as the glow intensifies… Those eyes, those cat like irises that shine with evil… Stay away! Let this be the end, please!!... Suddenly, the monster rears up and slams down… Her hoof pounds into the diaphragm, causing a painful convulsion… She rears again, striking once more, a little higher… The pain begins to flood in, forgotten in all the mess… She laughs again as the darkness begins to fade… Please no! I don’t want this, I DIDN’T ASK FOR THIS!!... A feeling of choking, more convulsions, and another strike to the midsection… “Not yet, I’m still not done with you,” she says, fading away with a low chuckle… ************************************************************************************************************** Spring’s ears perk up, a slight noise just barely audible over the crashing waves catching his notice. He looks over at Justice, still slumped over where he was dropped, though laying on his back where Spring had turned him. Everything was the same, but what was the noise. Wait, he thought, staring more closely. The moon was providing enough light, shining down in its full glory. What’s that? It must’ve been his mind playing a trick, but the brow of the deceased pony now appeared to be furrowed, almost as if he was in pain. Without any warning, Justice’s body seemed to convulse, causing the pony to shout out in surprise. He pushed backwards, falling down and scrambling away, terrified of the spasm. With another convulsion, briny water shot fourth from Justice’s mouth, a choking cough sounding out. This noise, and the shout, caught the attention of the Grinnail, who flew over to see what was happening. Both the griffon and the pony beside her watched in shock and horror as the drowned pegasus appeared to spit up loads of water. With one last big convulsion, his eyes shot open, a look of pure terror and rage shining through them. Justice reached upwards, finding himself choking on the water he coughed up, as it pooled within his mouth. He rolled himself to the side, vomiting up more and more water, crying out in pain and agony between more convulsions. After coughing up all the water in his system, and contributing a few dry heaves, the pony looked around, finally locking eyes with the two other residents of the island he found himself on. “I’m going to kill her, I swear on my life. I will never stop until she feels the pain I’ve felt,” he muttered viciously. His eyes rolled up into his head and he passed out, falling hard to the sand. The two huddled together, neither one sure what to do. This pony had been dead; there was no doubt about that. But now he was just passed out, after miraculously resuscitating. Spring stepped forward, walking towards his companion and maneuvering him into a more comfortable position. Grinnail, afraid of the hateful words spoken by the undead pony, decided to keep her distance. The night continued on in this way, two mercenaries concerned and unsure about what to do with the third, suddenly not deceased, member of their group. As dawn broke the next morning, Spring was gently awakened by the sound of moaning. He opened his eyes slowly, looking over at the shape beside him, which was beginning to show signs of awaking. His shoulders trembled, his breathing irregular, and his moaning intensified. “Oh dear Celestia,” Justice muttered, shaking slightly with pain. “I need a drink…” He lifted his head and began to take in his surroundings. Finally resting his gaze on the nervous pony beside him, Justice gave a slight grin and with a voice barely louder than a whisper, said, “Didn’t see a mutiny coming.” Spring snorted in anger. Lashing out, he hit his friend on the side and yelled, “You idiot!” He grimaced, unsure what the reaction would be, but softened when he saw the cringe of pain. “You were dead. I saw you, you drowned. How? I mean, what happened?” Justice looked on in pity, and then shook his head. “I guess you were mistaken. How else could I be here?” He looked around further, seeing a griffon tail that lead into the tree branches. “Grinnail’s here too? Where’s Hesperus?” Turning back and seeing the look in Spring’s eyes told him all he needed to know. “Justice, I mean it. You died, I checked,” Spring said. Putting a hoof on his friend’s back, and noticing the decreasing severity of the wounds that were present less than twenty hours earlier, he looked on sternly, waiting for an explanation. Justice sighed, having known that this day would probably come. “Look, I have a secret, one I haven’t admitted to in a very long time.” He waited, hoping that his friend would drop this issue. Seeing no such luck, he continued, “I’m…. I guess the term would be immortal. See, a long time ago I was cursed by Nightmare Moon and ever since then I haven’t aged and can’t seem to die.” Spring looked at him crossly, shaking his head and punching his side again. “Don’t fool around with me. I saw you, you died. Wait, did you say Nightmare Moon?” Justice looked on in disbelief. I didn’t think confessing this would be so difficult, he thought. With a smile, he nodded and added, “Yeah, she’s the reason I can’t stay dead. You’re right, I died, but she brought me back…” He mumbled an obscenity under his breath and looked over at his friend, anger replaced with shock. “Are you being truthful?” Spring asked, slowly beginning to think that all those deep wounds he had witnessed, wounds that would’ve killed a lesser pony, may’ve been fatal after all. With a slight bashful nod from his friend, Spring laughed out in amazement. “But wait, then how many times have you ‘died’?” He stared on, disbelief flowing through his mind. Justice smiled, amazed at how well his friend was dealing with the situation. “Do you just want the times since I’ve known you or total?” Spring just laughed again, relief beginning to take hold. “Because, I’m not kidding, it’s a lot.” This last statement was made with no small amount of sadness. Spring, stopping his laughter, looked on with pity for his friend. “Seriously? Can it really be that bad?” He stopped and thought for a second, resting a hoof under his chin. “Though you said it was Nightmare Moon who did this, and she’s been gone for, what, three hundred years?” Justice replied, “Four hundred and thirteen, actually.” With that, the two ponies laughed again, both in relief, neither for the same reason. “Yeah, I’ve seen my fair share…” Suddenly, he was bombarded by questions. The inquisitive pony beside him wondering about his death toll, how bad he’s been injured and survived, to what extent he meant by ‘not aging,’ and many other inquisitions along those lines. Justice was kind enough to answer all of the questions about his curse. “Curse?” Spring asked, standing up. Looking down at the scarred pony at his feet, he asked, “How can you call this a curse? You are blessed! Just think of what all you’ll get to see, have seen! Just think of what all you can do, for yourself or for other ponies.” Justice showed his anger building, standing up weakly to his friend. “Blessed?!? You think I wanted this? The pain of dying, to be experienced while I heal? The constant concern over letting somepony know. The loss I’ve had to deal with?” With this last part, he noticed the look of confusion on his friend’s face. “Do you not realize that everypony I’ve ever known or was friends with is dead? I had to sit and watch, sometimes from afar, while they grew old and sick and died, all while I remained the same as the day I met them. Do you not realize how little of a blessing that is? To share a lifetime with somepony and be stuck here alone after they are gone?” Spring sat back down, realization hitting him like a ton of bricks. “I didn’t think about that. I’m so sorry for your losses.” He stared down at his hooves, wanting to take back his last statement which, he feared, had added a wedge to the friendship he had developed. He jumped slightly as a hoof reached out under his chin, lifting his gaze to that of the immortal pegasus before him. “Do you realize how painful it is every day to watch as you grow older and know that one day, I will far outlive you? This is why I have to move on, never staying in one place too long. Seeing the flow of time, the changes made to ponies and places, it’s almost too much sometimes. I don’t want to see another good friend pass on, that’s why I became an adventurer. Ponies die in this profession, and most of them are ones you don’t consider close friends. I think one of my biggest mistakes was befriending you.” With that, Justice slouched down, feeling a lump in his throat, and turned his back on his friend. Spring thought over the statements made, trying to figure out a way to make this whole situation better. Stepping around his friend’s turned back, he stood in front of Justice and said, “I think the only mistake was not telling me sooner.”He was smiling sadly when Justice looked up. “Because I think sharing this life with you, and noting all your successes, is the best thing that will ever happen to me.” With that, he pulled his friend into a hug. A derisive click rang out from above and the two jumped in surprise, causing Justice to cringe a little again. Looking up, they saw Grinnail sitting in the tree closest to them, staring down with her hawk eye, smiling. “Well, if the love fest is all over, let’s talk about our situation.” She climbed down, confirming their fear that she had heard everything and ensuring them that she couldn’t care any less. The problem at the moment was that the three were stranded on an island that had no food or water, no chance for rescue, included a still injured member of the party, and one who couldn’t fly. Needless to say, the picture she painted was bleak. Justice assured them that he would feel fine with a little time, having found his healing took less and less time with each injury he took, and declared that food was the issue to fix first, as it was easiest. The task fell on Grinnail to try to get some fish while Spring was preparing a fire. The three would not be able to drink any of the water, the salt water causing worse dehydration that no water at all, and so their time was limited. That afternoon, a small fire being tended to by Spring, what little fish Grinnail was able to find rationed between the three, and Justice feeling his muscles returning in his shoulders, the three decided what they would need to do next. They had to find the ship, it being the only thing within miles that could provide rest in transit. As for Spring, he would have to be carried, due to his lack of wings. Grinnail, hopefully, jokingly suggested fixing two problems at once by eating the earthbound pony, but they decided that carrying was going to have to work. The question became how to take back the ship, as there were sure to be pirates all over it. They formulated a plan that they hoped would work and decided that the night would be the cover they needed to enact it. Ivory Bones stalked along the deck of his ship, another day of pirating behind him. The group didn’t have a set course in mind, aimlessly drifting at sea, but the crew was in good spirits. They not only sated their aggression, killing off the rest of the passengers after leaving that scrawny merc on the island, but had begun to drink themselves through the liquor supply. Being a ship full of drunk roughians, only out for themselves, there were some casualties. Infighting had caused a mini-hierarchy to form, those who wished to be taken more seriously killing those that refused. At this moment, two nights into the mutiny, the number of ponies under his command was ten. Still, captain of the ship was a nice title, and nopony would attempt anything when he was around. Looking up at the night sky, he grinned and walked to the captain’s quarters. Waiting for the departure of the pirate captain, Justice and his crew flew a safe distance away, Grinnail’s eyesight telling them the story of the ship. They had already deduced that there were fewer ponies than what mutinied and had worked out which ponies were on guard and where they were looking. Using his uncanny stealth, Justice had dropped onto the deck, hiding behind a large barrel. He waited for a guard to pass by, then sprung out, snapping his neck instantly. Dragging the body behind the barrel, he then signaled his two companions to draw nearer. Grinnail landed, allowing Spring to step off of her back and they reassessed their situation. Three fighters against nine well armed mutineers and their captain was going to make for a bad fight. A glint appeared in Spring’s eyes, a smiled spreading across his face. Grinnail had run away and they deserted him on an island, so their appearance may not surprise too much. But Justice had been badly injured and thrown to his certain doom. Seafaring ponies are an extremely superstitious bunch, and the element of surprise might just be the ticket to their success. Quietly climbing overboard and flying lightly to the water, Justice doused himself in the sea, grabbed some algae and threw it on his head, and then climbed back where he was greeted with hooffuls of sawdust. With that, he readied himself for the fight to be, concerned more for his companions that himself, obviously, and wandered onto the deck, moaning and groaning. A commotion on deck raised Ivory Bones from his light slumber. Probably another stupid dispute, he thought, angry that he would need to step into this one. At the rate they were going, he would be lucky to have a single pony in his crew by the end of the week. He strolled over to his door, wondering what the low moan was all about and opened the door to his worst nightmare. There, on the deck, stood the pegasus he had killed and thrown overboard not two days earlier. The groaning pony looked drowned, seaweed hanging from his head and back, his coat even a paler shade, moaning up a storm and shaking the captain to his core. Where is the night guard? he wondered, shaking with fright. At that time, a few of the pirates came up from below deck, they themselves wondering what the noise was, and, looking out at the ghastly figure before them, screamed out in fright. One of the guards tried to run away, sprinting to the bow of the ship where, unbeknownst to the rest of the crew, he was ambushed by Grinnail, who quickly cut his throat for a silent kill. Having now disarmed two guards and arming themselves, the two fighters awaited their leader’s signal. As he slowly stumbled towards the group that had stopped in their tracks at the stairs leading down into the ship, Justice began to speak, slowly saying the following in ever growing volume, “You will follow me to a watery grave.” With a shout, the ponies scrambled to get down into the ship, all except one. Ivory Bones had had enough. Ghost or not, I’m ending this right now, he decided, walking towards the spirit on his ship. Armed to the teeth, he silently approached it from behind. A shout of warning rang out from the bow, causing the spiritual pony to turn faster than it had moved before. Ivory Bones knew what this was; a fake out that had meant to catch him off guard. He grinned maliciously and struck out at the pony. “I don’t know… how you survived… and how you are here… but I’m going to end you… once and for all!” he shouted, swinging his axe with all his might. The pegasus was able to dodge all the blows, but the pirates, who had stopped attempting to run away, saw the fight raging and figured out the truth for themselves. As they rallied and ran up the stairs, they were suddenly greeted by Grinnail, who lashed out, falling the first two she saw with her sword. On deck, Spring was fighting himself, trying to decide what he should do, who he should help. On one hoof, Justice was disarmed and fighting against an opponent who had fought him before (albeit unfairly). On the other hoof, Grinnail was fighting a band of six pirates by herself, though able to fight them one-on-one the tight quarters of the hallway offering her some advantage. As he continued to debate, both fights heated up. Justice was being lashed out at, disarmed and defenseless. Grinnail had been hit, as one pirate shoved the pony in front of him, skewering him on her sword, and then lashed out, cutting her across her arm. She cried out in pain and the swarm of pirates pushed forth, causing her to retreat. Seeing that her battle, and possibly all of their survival, depended on her holding the line at the door, Spring ran over to assist her. With his assistance, stabbing at the back hooves of the ponies as she stabbed high, they were able to turn the tide back in their favor, pushing the remaining pirates backwards. Twirling in circles, never letting their eyes stray from the other, Ivory Bones and Beaming Justice were locked in a battle. Ivory had the upper hoof, his weapon granting him an advantage as Justice kept his distance. The two warriors snarled at each other, Justice unable to charge in. “Who are you? What are you, you beast?” Ivory spat, as he continued to lash out at the pony, pushing him further and further back the deck. “A pony you can’t hurt, a pony that came back to tell you that your place is set. I will lead you to Tartarus and throw you in myself,” Justice shot out, rushing the pirate captain. He feinted right and struck left, getting a shot in against Ivory Bones. Ivory cringed at the pain of the blow. Indeed this pony is real and not some spirit, he thought with a grin. He lashed out, his axe barely missing a deathblow, but catching Justice’s leg, cutting him and causing him to stumble. Taking this advantage, Ivory leapt at him, pinning his hooves down and lifting his axe high. “The list of lives I’ve broken stretches from here to Tartarus, and I’ll get there in my own time!” he shouted gleefully. This time, the pegasus would die in front of him, no chance to get out alive. A shout rang out and a sword cut deep into the pirate’s side. Ivory’s expression turned to shock and terror, realizing that the pain he felt, mixed with his sudden trouble pulling a breath, meant that at least one of his lungs had been punctured. He looked back, blood trickling out of the corners of his mouth. Him? he thought, seeing the smallest of the band standing there, anger in his eyes and his hoof pushing the sword further into the pirate’s hide. The once proud captain of the ship pulled himself off the sword, blood splattering dark red on the deck and Justice underneath, and turned to the pony who had felled him. The grin on his face getting bigger, both by insanity and from a grimace, as he used the last of his energy to whisper, “Your time will come, and I’ll come for you…” With that, he fell to the deck, having bled out. Spring paused, shaken to his core about the curse that the pirate had said, then looked over at his friend, who was still trying to push the body off of him. Lending him a hoof, Spring helped his friend to his feet. With a shout, Grinnail let them know that there was but one pony left below deck, and they wished to surrender. The group decided that there was going to be a need for all hooves and talons on deck to man the ship, and allowed the surrender and disarming of the pirate, ending the conflict aboard the ship. The first order of business, they decided, was to celebrate by breaking open the food and water supplies for a nice big feast. “Are we still going to Krynn to help the Minotaur King?” Spring asked, exhausted. He rolled onto his back, his belly full for the first time in two days. “I think we’ve bought ourselves a little time off when we get there,” Justice said, and the three chuckled, relief spreading across the group. With the hard battle fought and won, the three felt able to relax a little, allowing the seas to calm their nerves and provide them rest.