• Published 12th Mar 2022
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Rainbow Dash Around the World - MagicS



Rainbow Dash continues her flight around the world.

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The Wandering Island VI

The recently demoted Commander Calhoun stood at the front of the central Junk as it sailed towards the Wandering Island. This entire operation had been his idea, even if he wasn’t the commanding officer, and a way for him to regain the prestige he had lost after the disastrous excursion to the Sea Lion Reefs. That humiliation would finally be undone, the embarrassing surrender, the return with empty hooves, the loss of the slaves they had left with. He was lucky he hadn’t been demoted further or outright executed.

But even what had happened was far too much of a slight for his proud soul to bear. Now his preparations to gain the favor of the admiralty and nobility of Bosche were about to come to fruition.

The Wandering Island had been struck by Bosche raids in the past, but not frequently and not recently. Its constant movement and tendency to stay close to the coast of the Hundred Kingdoms, further north than Bosche ships usually traveled, made it a difficult and even dangerous target.

A smirk graced Calhoun’s lips as he squinted through his monocle. That’s why he had scouts figure out when it would be drifting south of Meer—the most peaceful and least militaristic of any Kingdom—and when the traffic coming in and out of Meer’s port would be at its lowest. It was the perfect time to strike now.

“This plan of yours had better work out, Calhoun. I would be very cross if we didn’t get what we wanted here after coming so far.”

Calhoun instantly stiffened and turned around, bowing his head low to the deck as he no longer had the rank to gaze upon the one speaking without first being given permission. “I promise we will be able to fill our holds with slaves before the day is done, Admiral Xing.”

The Admiral was silent for a moment and Calhoun fought not to sweat. Admiral Xing came from one of the oldest and most influential families of Bosche, he was second only to Admiral Bin’Tavy in prominence and power. Because his noble family was even higher than Bin’Tavy’s there were quite a few who grumbled about the fact that Xing should be in full command of Bosche’s navy. Yet as of now apparently none had petitioned the emperor about such a thing, and Bin’Tavy was still very popular himself. Including to Calhoun who used to report directly to the Admiral before he was shuffled off to lower duties.

“Raise your head, you may look upon me and speak at ease.”

Commander Calhoun did so, though slowly. The Admiral was a tall and thin pegasus in his sixties with a faded purple coat and a blue mane and tail with a bushy white mustache hanging off the sides of his face. The black and red silk uniform he wore was even more elaborate and ceremonial than Calhoun’s old Captain’s uniform, with wide shoulder pauldrons and golden flames embroidered along his sides. Next to the Admiral, a silent servant perpetually stood with a teapot and cups balanced on his back, ready to serve the Admiral at a moment’s notice. And behind him stood two shackled slaves with heavy palm leaves for the Admiral’s comfort.

“Thank you, Admiral,” Calhoun said. “And there is no need for any worry. I have studied the Wandering Island extensively to lead into this operation. Most of the ships here are from travelers who will now be fleeing after seeing us. And the island’s security forces are not prepared or equipped to deal with soldiers like ours. There will be no serious resistance. In fact I believe we’ll even be able to convince the ponies in charge of the island’s functions to hand over any young and able-bodied ponies we ask for, as well as any other valuables we may wish to take. From what I researched this place is a potential treasure trove of artifacts from across the Grand Ocean.”

Admiral Xing stared down at him with an unimpressed look. “It looks like a floating garbage heap.”

Calhoun coughed. “Yes, well, looks can be deceiving. There is no doubt at least that there are plenty of ponies here to enslave.”

“True. Perhaps any stragglers that we catch before they can leave would be a good stock of slave as well. Probably more robust than the ones that live in such a… vile and low-class place.”

“I will personally see that only the best and strongest stallions are taken onboard, Admiral. And the most beautiful of mares. Despite recent events I ask you to trust in my reputation and what I have done for Bosche’s glory in the past,” Calhoun said. It was risky to get that haughty but if he was lucky the Admiral would respect it.

The Admiral took a long gaze at the floating island before nodding minutely and turning around, walking back to his personal quarters aboard the Junk. “Very well. I give you full command of the attack and roundup of slaves as of now, you may speak with me again when we are preparing to leave.”

“Thank you, Admiral!” Commander Calhoun smiled and bowed, waiting until the Admiral’s hoofsteps were out of earshot before getting back up and looking past the bow at the close target. “I’ll finally regain my glory, the Admiral believes in me, good word will spread through the rest of the navy and back to the homeland as well! This raid will be my crowning achievement!” He took a deep breath and puffed out his chest, getting ready to take command of the assault.


“Oh great, those guys again,” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes in annoyance.

“I think my bad luck is infecting you,” Daylight said to her.

“Nah, I usually found my way into stuff like this before running into you guys.”

“A-Aren’t the two of you more worried?” Lemon Breeze asked them, still shaking. “Bosche is attacking us, they have soldiers and they enslave ponies!”

“Yeah, I know. And what are you guys going to do? You have security right?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“They just keep peace and order here, they can’t fight actual soldiers like the ones from Bosche! You hear all that running outside? It’s from most of the travelers and visitors rushing back to their ships so they can try and get out of here before whatever Bosche ships are out there reach us! You should be doing the same,” Lemon Breeze told them.

Rainbow Dash looked over at Daylight Gleam. “That would be the smart thing to do, right? Most ponies are probably doing that.”

Daylight Gleam returned her look and nodded. “Yep. Most.”

“Uh, what are you two going to do?”

Rainbow Dash just grinned at him. “Kid, wake up your gramps and find someplace safe to hideout at for now. In an hour or two this will all be taken care of.”

“I guess searching for the trident gets put on hold,” Daylight sighed.

“Only for a little while. These clowns won’t take long to deal with,” Rainbow shrugged.

“True enough,” Daylight smirked.

“Are… are you going to fight Bosche?” Lemon Breeze seemed completely disbelieving.

“Sounds like someone has to. Once I’ve kicked their butts, again by the way, we’ll come back here so you can tell us about that trident. Sounds good?” Rainbow asked.

Lemon Breeze nodded. “Y-Yeah. Sure.”

“Breakwater, Gilbert, and Senax are going to be looking for us already,” Daylight said.

“Yeah. So I should probably go out there and make myself noticeable,” Rainbow grinned and opened up the store’s door. “Wonder if those losers have more than one ship with them this time.”

“Stay safe,” Daylight said to Lemon Breeze and walked out with Rainbow Dash.

“You too...” the young unicorn waved goodbye, not sure what exactly was happening.

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