Big Macintosh Summer 9,14 ASD
‘How long had it been.’ He asked himself. Hanging by his hooves upside down his head hung limply back just touching the ground. His body was beaten and wounds all over his barrel and neck made it hard to move without pain lancing through him. He hated everything that was around him, cursing himself for failing in such an important mission. Hoofbeats made him push away his brooding thoughts. A torch light reflected off the wet stone under the door. The sound of jingling keys fitting into a rusted lock opened the door admitting his minotaur jailer and torturer who reached for the chain that had held him up and punched the break making him hit the ground in a groan with a symphony of jangling chains. Big Mac laid there finding it hard to breath but forcing himself to.
“Get him.” The jailor ordered and two more minotaurs entered grabbing his forehooves and began to drag him out. They lead him down a corridor going towards the torture chamber. He tried to fight back but his body refused to heed his orders. Then suddenly they turned down another corridor going up a flight of stairs. It wasn't long till sunlight made him close his eyes. The feeling of grass against his legs felt refreshing before he was dropped suddenly. He tried to get his hooves under himself but he was socked in the jaw by a heavy fist.
“That's enough.” He heard a female voice he recognized as Fluttershy. He cracked open his eyes and got a look around, they were in a garden with three minotaurs one being Iron Will and Fluttershy.
“As you wish.” Iron Will said waving his fist to shake away the pain of punching him.
“Enjoying your last days on this earth?” She asked and big Mac couldn't help himself but look at her defiantly.
“Eyup.” He said taking all of his strength to look at her. Fluttershy's eyes flared for a moment with anger but calmed down.
“You suspect that I mean to kill you? No Big Mac I have better plans for you.” She said looking at him flaring her wings. She looked at Iron Will and nodded then looked back at Big Mac.
“You have seen my wraiths right… Have you always wondered how they are made? Well I'll show you first hoof. You will become my slave Big Mac.” She said as the three minotaurs turned him over and held him down as Fluttershy walked over and lifted her hoof biting into her own skin as blood flowed to the surface and held it over his face. Big Mac closed his mouth as his heart raced. Iron Will grabbed his face holding him still and began to force his mouth open.
“You will be more beast than pony...but you will be my beast.” She said with a cruel smile. The ground burst open and several ponies in Earthborn regalia lept out and charged the group. Iron Will was the first to act letting go of Big Mac charging the group the two other minotaurs joined him. Fluttershy turned to face them with a look of fury. The war horn sounded and the village sprang to action. A Diamond Dog leapt out of the hole and tackled a minotaur who yelled in surprise as he was silenced by its long claws. He stood up and bound for Big Mac and in one full motion scooped up the pony tucking him under its arm. He then whistled and the Earthborn troops began to retreat back to the hole. Iron Will stood protectively in front of Fluttershy alongside the other minotaur who was wounded from the skirmish. The Diamond Dog jumped into the hole. The Darkness of the earth embraced them both before the Diamond Dog threw Big Mac to another Dog as the black coated Diamond Dog closed the hole behind them and turned towards the group.
“Mission complete let's get the hell out of here.” He ordered.
“Rover were out a ways should we dig confusion tunnels?” The dog carrying him asked. Rover shook his head.
“Just collapse the tunnel and run they will have Wraiths and Thorners after us soon enough we need to get to Earthborn territory as soon as possible. They began to move. Rover looked at the ponies.
“How many did you lose?” He asked.
“5.” One said solemnly. Rover nodded in understanding.
“Could have been a lot worse.” He said. Big Mac felt even heavier than ever as his eyes began to droop when a small spike of pain lanced in his stomach as his eyes could suddenly see in the darkness without a problem. A sense of dread overcame him, he had taken some of Fluttershy's blood and did not know if he was going to be the same ever again.
Junebug Summer 9,14 ASD
“Where is he?” a yellow coated unicorn mare with black and white striped mane paced uncomfortably.
“Junebug calm down Pipsqueak is always like this, don't worry.” A white coated and cyan blue mane said confidently.
“Sweetheart, I…” Junebug said annoyed before the sight of Pipsqueaks ship was seen coming around the bay entrance. Which made her smile. Her smile lost its luster when she saw the second pair of sails.
“Oh boy… I'll get the girls ready.” Sweetheart said trotting away to a large tent that housed several ponies that had volunteered to help bring supplies to Redhearts Refuge. An two hours passed as the two ships found dock at a small pier not meant to really house such large ships. The gangway was lowered and Junebug trotted up to Pipsqueak who greeted her with a roguelike smile.
“Junebug… my favorite mare how are things?” He said nonchalantly. She looked at him with half lidded eyes.
“You brought me trouble didn't you.” She said as if stating a fact. Speedsilver struck Pipsqueak behind the head lightly.
“Flirting with every mare…” she said quietly before looking at Junebug and giving her a hug.
“I'm sorry Junebug we came across a slave ship, luckily it had some good medical supplies you need.”she said as Junebug sighed in defeat.
“Nurse Sweetheart! Patients!” Junebug said. Nurse Sweetheart walked past her alongside several other ponies wearing masks and manes tied back. Several other ponies approached Junebug.
“Where do you want to supplies put.” One stallion asked. She indicated a place where several wagons were.
“Pack them there and tie them down.” She said and Pipsqueak turned to his ship.
“You heard her Sea Swirl!” He said who nodded and turned to the crew.
“Everypony who isn't doing anything pack the cargo and follow lady Junebugs orders sooner we're done the quicker we can relax!” He said getting a cheer from the crew that popped to the task. Pipsqueak looked at Speedsilver and Junebug.
“We found that they were taking them to Changeling territory.” He stated.
“What? Why?” Junebug asked shocked. Speedsilver shrugged.
“What's weirder is the fact it's being run by Whitegold merchants from Moon and Star.” Pipsqueak said explaining his puzzlement. Junebug waved her hoof.
“I don't dabble in politics and hope you have more sense than to poke your muzzle into business between houses. We trade with Whitegold as well you know. You’re a great provider but were constantly running low.” She said concerned. Pipsqueak shook his head with a smile.
“I do what I can. But this concerns me, Nopony ever deals with the Queens.” Pipsqueak said drawing questioning looks from both her and Speedsilver.
“Queens? And in plural meaning more than one?” Junebug asked. He shrugged
“I don't know much about them but I know their names and such.” He stated.
“Why didn't you tell me?” Speedsilver asked annoyed.
“You didn't need to know besides who really brings them up in conversation?” He said defensively. Speedsilver gave him a small playful glare.
“I'm curious now who are they?” Junebug wondered. Pipsqueak seemed to be thinking before he explained.
“The most well known is Queen Chrysalis of course because of her adult into Earthborn territory which failed, the other two are Queen Teranid and Queen Roatsa all leaders of their respective hives but well… they have a Coalition of mutual agreement. There is fighting between them but not all out war, if all three could stop bickering they could overtake Equestria if they wanted.” He finished his little lesson and Junebug shivered.
“That would be scary, hope they always fight it out. As much as I want change in Equestria for the better I don't think Being ruled by Changelings would be any better.” she said and Speedsilver nodded in agreement. Nurse Sweetheart joined them with a disheveled look.
“They are OK a few broken bones but mainly malnourished food and water is what they need. I have the others looking after them but we can't bring them along with the protection we have now were to big of a target.
“Were not going anywhere just yet I can give some of my crew to help you along your route.” Pipsqueak stated.
“That's much appreciated Pipsqueak.” Junebug said happily.
“Of course, gives us time to get ready to investigate the Changeling port down south.” He said with a smile.
“Wait? What?!” Speedsilver said shocked.