Blake had expected more comfortable quarters aboard the ship, particularly when they paid for their passage in gold. If those coins were what they looked like, they would probably be worth several thousand dollars each. They could've flown first class around the world for so much money.
Instead, the quarters provided for them had only bare pallets, separated by a short distance. Even worse, there was no larger tank for Kaelynn. The machine holding her had chains to attach to the wall, along with pipes that trickled and gurgled as it exchanged liquids with the ship. But at least she had a waterbed.
It was a testament to how tired they were that they managed to get any rest at all. But dragging that cart around, climbing through Klugetown twice, all that had taken its toll.
Once he was done tossing and turning, Blake went out like a sack of rocks. He slept so soundly that he barely felt it as something wrapped gently around his mouth. Then he shook, twitching abruptly to one side. He jerked upright, or tried—and found two pairs of hooves holding him down.
Jordan and Ryan both, pressing a cloth over his mouth and a hoof to his shoulder.
The room behind them wasn't as he remembered. There was another creature with them, a griffon who resembled the crew of the Bright Hawk. Though if she were crew, she'd been through a far rougher tour of duty than any of the birds they met so far.
"Don't make a sound. We're in serious danger," Ryan whispered, directly into his ear. He might've thrown the little bug-thing off, if Jordan wasn't there. He could look at the bat without feeling that instinctive sense of dread. He nodded.
They let go, and Ryan continued. "This is a slave ship. They locked you in after you went to sleep. I was outside, heard what they planned to do. They're selling us to a mine, along with some other prisoners." He gestured at the bird. "This is Galena, she was locked up too. We're in this together."
"I expected more from your friends," she whispered, her voice high and harsh just like the other griffons. Her accent was almost identical, in fact. "A bat and a weird pony covered in scales. We can't win. Ponies are too soft, Ryan. They have a few who can fight—but most just curl up and wait for their princess to save them."
Jordan reached into his satchel, then flicked something out from within. A long, folding trench knife, which swung widely, then clicked into place. "Yeah, screw that. I'm not getting sold into anything, especially with this body. Hell no."
Galena's beak fell open, and she stared blankly. Disbelieving. Finally, she managed to shut her mouth. "We've traded ponies a few times," she whispered. "Maybe the stories about Equestria are an exaggeration. But I've never heard any talk like that."
"She's right," Blake agreed, rolling to the side, and getting his hooves under him. "Er, he's right. Sorry." Jordan shrugged one wing ambivalently. Galena only seemed more confused. But none of them volunteered just now.
They already knew they had no weapons. What could they use? Callahan lied to us, he thought, frustration boiling in his chest. We paid for this trip, and he turned around to try and enslave us. How unlucky could his little group possibly be? He just wanted to get them home safe. They were supposed to be taking illegal videos under Paris, not escaping human traffickers and slavers.
He found his own pocket knife in his bag, but ultimately slipped it back inside. It was too short to be useful for fighting, even if he had known how. "What else do we know, Ryan? Anything we can use?"
The bug nodded weakly. "There's another cell across the way. There are five more prisoners in there I was going to go to next."
"Ponies," Galena said, as though that was supposed to mean something. "They're a waste of time, Ryan. You'll see what I mean. Barely even fought when they were brought in."
"I don't like how much you know about that," Blake muttered. But now was a bad time to start rejecting allies. No matter what this bird had done, she was also taller than he was, and had claws and beak as sharp as the ones they would soon have to fight. "They'll help us. With them, we can outnumber Callahan and his crew. If we're quiet enough, maybe we can separate them and fight in two groups. Then they're toasted."
"It's a waste of your time," Galena whispered, insistent. "At least this pony has a horn, and this other one has teeth. That's more than they usually offer. What about the tank? At least a hippogriff is half griffon."
"She needs water to breathe," Ryan whispered. "Blake, you wanna help me with these others? Haven't seen a guard come to patrol, they probably think we're still asleep. But if we move around much more, we're bound to get something. You two stay in here, come up with a plan."
"Oh, sure," Jordan muttered. "Have us come up with the plan while you do the easy part."
"It's not," Galena said. "Asking ponies to fight? They don't do that. Too nice."
Blake bit back the current of rising anger in his chest. He wanted to break something, but he wouldn't start with this bird. They would get even for this betrayal soon enough.
Ryan was first to peek out the hallway. Blake followed close behind, as the bug scuttled across to the other side. Now that he thought about it, it did seem strange that all the quarters had heavy locks on the outside. But how were they supposed to know what customs were just different in this world?
The hallway led towards the stairs to the crew quarters just ahead. Blake could hear at least one quiet conversation up there. The words were distant and the accent strange, but he could make out a few. "Pay... soon. Celebration."
"You... go... in," Ryan mouthed, after clicking the door open. "Otherwise... scared." He opened the door a crack, edging just a tiny bit at a time. "I'll... copy Galena... while talk."
Blake nodded, then slipped his head into the room. There were five of them, just like Ryan had said. How had he known that, exactly?
It was almost identical to the way their bedroom looked, with threadbare pads for sleeping and not much else. There was a privy against the wall in the same place, and a basin that slowly trickled water. But that was all.
As he entered, the horses looked up from their beds. A few curled up against the wall, eyes closed against whatever terror he would inflict. Curiously, they hadn't been bound. He found no restraints on their hooves, or even a gag. They were free to move around as much as they wanted.
These birds really think they won't fight, he thought. It went further than that. They thought the same thing about us. They were so confident they hadn't even been searched for weapons.
He pushed the door shut behind him, then stepped right into the center of the room. He would've liked to get a better look at these creatures—even in the dark, he could tell they came in quite the range of colors. They also had tattoos, in the same place as Jordan.
But discovering more information about their condition would have to come later. It was time to escape. "Hey," he whispered. Anger still raged in him, warmth that got warmer the more it festered. Normally when Blake started feeling this pissed off, he'd go for a run somewhere. Maybe he could run his hooves over some faces.
But not these. Like it or not, these were his new brothers in arms. "Please be as quiet as you can," he whispered. "We're breaking out of here."
The horses sat up, watching. None of them moved, even to get closer. Had they just heard?
"My friends and I got locked up like you," he said. "We're breaking out. But without your help, we aren't sure we can do it."
That did it. At least one of the horses, without wings or Blake's own curved horn, sat up. "You're a Kirin," he whispered back. "I thought you were extinct."
Ryan would probably not be able to resist learning more from a comment like that. Even Blake was curious—you know what I am? But that would have to wait.
"I'm not," he said. "But if we don't fight back, we will be." He flicked his tail back the way they'd come. "Listen, my friends and I are going to fight no matter what. But there's a decent chance we get our asses kicked. These bird things are bigger than we are, and they're better armed. If we fight and lose, you're screwed too. But if you help us, we outnumber them two-to-one."
The first one approached him. He was a little taller, with a body of sturdy muscle. The others followed his lead, standing behind him. Each looked weary with exhaustion and fear. Who knew how long they'd been imprisoned here, waiting for some way to escape?
Galena was clearly wrong about their passivity and fearfulness. But even so, they were smaller than their enemies, and lacked any natural weapons. Two had horns, but like Blake's they didn't seem particularly useful in combat. They'd have to rely on speed and accuracy with their hooves against bladed weapons.
"Your friends are as brave as you?" the first pony asked. "Other kirin?"
"Yes," he answered reflexively. "But no, not kirin. One of them has bat wings, and we have a griffon. I guess... two of them. One of them is a bug, but he's going to be a bird for the fight, they're the strongest."
"Changeling, thestral, kirin, griffon," another of the ponies said. "Are you sure we have to fight? The griffons said they were taking us back to Equestria. They're going to... ransom us. I've heard of that before."
"I'm sure," Blake said, as confidently as he could. "We overheard them talking. They're going to sell us to a mine. I don't know the details, but... it's obvious enough. There are only six of them. With all of us, we'll outnumber them."
And we can only pray to god they don't think to come back for Kaelynn while we're fighting.
"What were they thinking trying to capture you?" asked their leader. "Kirin, if we're going to fight together, I have to ask: please don't burn the whole ship down. The griffons can fly away from this, but we only have Gentle Drift. She can't carry all of us to safety."
Burn the ship down? Blake nodded. "I'll keep that in mind." Probably not the best time to ask them how I actually do that. He probably would have asked anyway, regardless of any risk to losing them as allies. But none of them were “kirin,” so they didn't seem likely to know regardless.
He heard the shout from behind, echoing from a few feet away. "Wake up!" they yelled, voice piercing the ship like the call of a predatory bird. Which it was, obviously. "Prisoners are free! Wake up!"
He didn't even think. Blake spun, kicking open the door with a slam so forceful it banged into the wall.
Or it should have. Actually, it smashed into a bird who had been standing there, shouting. He was out the door a second later, just as the griffon was wobbling to their feet.
Up the stairs, he heard motion. More voices, banging doors, more shouts.
The door across the hall was still open, and stunned faces watched, unmoving.
Blake didn't wait. Before the nearby bird could get his claws under him, Blake tacked into him from the side, smashing him up against the wall. Wood crunched and buckled under the force, and something cracked under him? Ribs? He didn't think, just smashed both hooves down on the top of the bird's head.
The sailor squealed once, then stopped struggling. Blake didn't even look to see if he was still moving, just kicked the sword backward along the ground towards the ponies.
"There!" he yelled. "One down! Five to go!"
Thus story has some real hfy vibes to it and I’m loving it.
10704156
It is going to be amusing to see others reactions to ponies that don't act as expected.
But yes, this plan has gone sideways pretty quickly. Five griffons vs the gang and their new allies? Let's see how this plays out.
But it'll be so gosh-darned cathartic!
*[HEAVY METAL START]*
Looks like Blake's angry but focused. It could be useful in the fight ahead. It could also kill them all. Let's hope he quickly realizes the connection between anger and his flames.
Yeah, I'm guessing Jordan's already defaulting to the worst case scenario. Technically, Ryan should too with his body. Don't know what use Kaelynn would be in a mine with no pearl. Unless they're planning to sell her to some perverse collector, I can only imagine them dumping or eating her after the trade. Dear god...
I suspected she was a former slaver that got on their bad side. A bit racist as well. I suppose this relationship won't go beyond an alliance of convenience.
Numbers are still numbers.
That's a bit optimistic. The Equestrian military would have responded to that sort of threat and a few birds wouldn't be able to stop that. A mine is a far more safer bet.
Let's do this. Though I'm guessing it'd be a bit hilarious if the next chapter is from Kaelynn's POV. No ultra-violent, ultra-awesome, gory fight scene for you!
10704156
I'm starting to hope there were intermingling events in the past. A few hundred or thousand years may change cultures but the only distinction between equine and human is what side of the Worldgate you happen to be on.
[Sky Pirateness intensifies]
I actually want see ponies fight they would not have country if they were unavailable to fight
Remember: violence is never the answer.
It is the question. "YES!!!" is the answer
10704306
Eh, the common excuse for pacifist Equestria is Celestia being stupidly overpowered and/or manipulating the sun to ruin the environment of the enemy, which makes attacking Equestria terminally stupid.
Well the poop and fan meeting has started on the ship. Nice chapter.
10704322
Of course that would ignore the number of times an enemy successfully invaded Equestria and disabled their Princesses at least until the Elements or other forces defeated them. The sun as a weapon isn't a thing whether it really isn't a factor, there's a divine prohibition in such a use, or the simple fact that burning the enemy's land will also mean no light or heat for you (A literal double edge sword).
10704381
Indeed, but in the stories where Equestria is pacifist and there are hostile countries, that is usually the excuse given. Never claimed it made sense. Solar manipulation is likely to effect everything on the planet, although having the only demigod with such firepower can work.
I want to know what the reason is in this story.
Now that's more like it. Fyay 'em up!
10704381
The thing is, almost all of the villains who have attacked Equestria are also ridiculously powerful and have a plan for what to do with the sun. A conventional army couldn't match that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-3kJcBfQ9w
10704444
Things don't really focus on massive scale battles focusing on a sort of "champion fights champion" sort of conflict with the loser's army usually falling to some burst of power or something else. It's a planet full of magical people and magical artifacts. The princesses have a vast reserve of power but they can and have been from time to time been subjugated by force from people that should technically have no business fighting gods. Of course they get away with it because the princesses are not gods.
10704463
From my understanding Equestria is one of the only races who's citizens have built in magic. Most other races don't, at least not to the extent ponies too. Before the Storm King invaded Equestria, he spent most of his time hunting down whatever Magical artifacts he could because they were incredibly valuable out there, and it gave him an edge. That's why he felt brave enough to attack the Princesses.
Blake... Burn them all
10704424
Think of it more like MAD: fight me, and everyone dies. The fact that I die too is immaterial, since I don't want to attack you, just keep you from attacking me.
Nice. I like how this is going.
What if a bird grabs him he gets angry and roasts the birdy.
10704574
mmmmm chicken
10704487
Changelings = Changeling magic
Kirins = Rage
Discord = Self-explanatory
Magical non-ponies do exist. And for those that don't, they have artifacts or magical arts to compensate. More than enough. Pony magic on average doesn't seem to be that powerful. Sure you got talented ponies like Twilight and group efforts like a weather team but for the most part, talents are mostly used for mundane purposes.
10704645
I wasn't saying ponies are the only ones, the Changelings and Kirins are obvious. But one is only recently coming out of hiding, one has like a population of a hundred tops, and both are allies of Equestria. Gryphons don't have magic, Yaks don't have magic, Dragons have fire, and presumably the other races seen in the movie don't have much either. The only magical artifact the Abyssinians had was a bad luck charm. Equines seem to be the only ones with many magical abilities. Sure there are sorcerers among the other races, like Tirek's mentor back when he was a prince, but they have to access magic through all kinds of rituals and potions, like classic wizards. They don't have the shortcuts unicorns do.
I mean, if you want to be technical about it, it isn't human trafficking...
In any case, hopefully leading by example will do the trick. Also the night vision advantage, where applicable. And given those unicorns, the visitors may get some firsthand experience with magic. This should be quite interesting. The question is what kind of friendly casualties they accrue in the process.
10704815
Technically they're morphically challenged humans and they're being trafficked, which does make it technically human trafficking. There's also pony and griffin trafficking.
Two supposedly extinct species, "Luna's daughter" and a changeling who most likely is either a queen or is probably different from normal ones in some other way besides not being a part of any hive(not a drone at least?).
Odd indeed.
10704461
Yes, this right here.. until it is done.
Definitely time to get a refund on that arrangement.
So much for any additional time to plan.
That's a good start on that refund.
Not extinct or not a kirin...?
Nice
This is some quality stuff.
I dunno, Money? certainly not ship safety
10704322
10704306
You may get to see that, the way things are going here.
We have to remember these were told they were being put up for ransom - and at that time, quite outclassed.
Maybe the general soft reputation is actually working to keep more volatile dispositions from killing Pony civilians. - And when you consider how sheltered Equestria is, most civillans would be way out of their depth in a situation like here.
In general, when getting taken hostage by pirates, as long as they are convinced they have the upper hand, you're a commodity to bring safely to market.
Ponies may be somewhat wimpy - until someone takes charge - then they get things done!
And here it seems Blake may be just the guy to do that.
Yeah, the birds may have a problem. Ponies are cutie little balls of adorable who like flowers. Humans are feral animals who fought and clawed their way to the top of the food chain despite not having fangs or claws. We use tools. You can put a human into a pony body, but under the skin, there's still a human in there. And he has a knife.
Rip and tear, Blake.
10713167
But what can be scarier that a kirin and a changeling? Humans with their abilities. Why even Ryan bothered with griffon, he could try some of larger townsfolk or attempt a xenomorph :P
Anybody else forsee him going into a berserk Nirik mode during the incoming fight? By far, he has the shortest temper and most aggressive demeanor.
Dude, I think you just killed him!
10704241
Doom Gate
Well, I hope they know how to fly an airship, otherwise this is only the start of their troubles. They *really* should've just talked to Capper.