The Adventures of Shadow Chaser: The Cutie Mark Crusaders in Marelantis

by RangerBeef

First published 6th of June, 2012

Shadow ventures to Marelantis with three unexpected guests.

Shadow Chaser's second tale follows him and Rainbow Dash on a voyage to the lost city of Marelantis, an ancient underwater city, thought lost for ages. But before they can even begin Applejack notices the Cutie Mark Crusaders have gone missing. As Shadow, Rainbow, and the insisting Applejack, chase after them, they quickly find themselves caught in a deadly chase to Marelantis and must use theirs wits, speed and strength to overcome all odds and rescue the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

Chapter 1

Often times, sea fairing ponies will boast and brag of amazing things they’ve seen while at sea. Mermares, whales, sharks, and everything in between. You have to take nearly everything they say with a grain of salt. So, when a lifelong friend of mine came back to Ponyville, rambling of having actually seen mermares and found the fabled land of Marelantis, other ponies thought him insane.

“It’s real, Shadow. It’s very real. Mermares as pretty as any you’ll find here on the land. And the city is beautiful! Magnificently carved pillars and buildings with more craftsmanship than you ever thought possible. You don’t even have to worry about breathing! They’ve found a way to bless every pony that enters with a spell of breathing that allows you to breathe underwater!”

“Calm down, Captain.” He had been in my office for nearly four hours now rambling incessantly about Marelantis. While he was my friend and I’ve never been one to think him untruthful or crazy his story was becoming, quite simply, annoying.

“But Shadow, you’ve got to believe me. I need to share this discovery with somepony.” His face looked distraught.

Rainbow Dash walked in the room and over to me, whispering to me what I’d been waiting on.

“Captain, I believe you. I really do. I would like you to talk to a friend of mine, though. She’s not a doctor or anything like that but she has an unnatural affinity for the truth. If you really saw all of these things and aren’t crazy then she will be the one to know for sure.”

He looked like I’d just punched him in the gut but he nodded. “I understand, Shadow. I guess I do have to sound pretty crazy.”

“Nothing too out of the ordinary there, Captain.” We chuckled and I waved in my associate.

“Captain, this is Applejack. She’s called me on more lies than I can count. If you really did see all these things, Applejack here will be the first to know the honest truth and if she says you’re not crazy then we’ll start this expedition.”

The Captain nodded at me and then looked at Applejack. “Hello, miss.”

“Aw shucks, nopony’s called me miss in a long time. Applejack is fine.” Her tone was comforting even as she corrected him.

“Alright, Applejack, I suppose you’re going to want to hear my story.”

“Ah reckon ah do. Rainbow wasn’t too clear on the details but she said you’d been to Marelantis and were wantin’ to set off to find it again but with more ponies this time?”

“That’s right. Marelantis is a beautiful place…”

I zoned out as he began to tell his story for the third time. As he launched into how he’d happened across it Rainbow Dash tapped me on the shoulder and motioned to the back room.

As I entered and gently shut the door she looked at me with a bit of concern, “Are we really going to take this guy’s word and go chasing after some old mares’ tale?”

“No.” Rainbow started to speak again but I cut her off, “We’re going to take Applejack’s word and if she believes him then we’re definitely going hunting.”

Rainbow didn’t look satisfied with my answer. “Ok, but let’s not do this one for free alright? I’m tired of eating daisy sandwiches.”

I chuckled and kissed her cheek. “Don’t worry. The Captain may be a good friend but he wouldn’t let me work for free. Not that I’d even offer. I hate boats.”

Rainbow laughed and nuzzled my neck. “Me too.”

I reveled in her embrace for a moment then heard the Captain finishing his story. “Let’s get back out there before they get the wrong idea.” I winked at her and lead the way back into the office.

The Captain was just finishing up his story and the look on Applejack’s face told me she believed him. “So what’s the word, AJ?”

Applejack turned her head slowly to me, her eyes wide with excitement. “He’s not lyin’, sugarcube. That there colt knows where Marelantis is.”

“Well, then, I guess we’ve got a deal, Captain. You head to Bridle Shores Bay and gather what we’ll need. Rainbow and I have some jobs to get done before we can join you but we should be down in about a week’s time.”

The Captain was almost overcome with joy. “Thank you, Shadow. I’ll have everything ready to go when you arrive. And thank you, Miss Applejack.” The Captain walked out the door, nearly sprinting for the train station.

Applejack chuckled at being called miss again and hollered after him, “It’s nothin’ any good pony wouldn’t do. Good luck on yer adventure.”

I sighed heavily as I closed the door.

“What’s the matter, detective? Ah woulda thought you’d be a right bit excited to find Marelantis. Ah know ah would be.”

I flopped in my chair and looked over everything on my desk. “Oh, I’m excited to see it, AJ, but I was almost wishing he was just telling stories. I’ve never been much of a sea fairing pony. And this adventure we’ve just set out on is going to have me wet for weeks.”

“Well, that doesn’t seem like something ah’d enjoy either. But sometimes ya have to get yer mane wet if ya want to do great things.”

I smiled at the ceiling. She was right.

“’Nothing worth having in this life comes easy.’ That’s what my dad used to tell me before he died. That’s what kept me pushing forward all these years. Working my tail off has been all I do. And who knows? Maybe this will be like one long vacation.”

“That’s the spirit! Ah wish ah could come with ya but ah’ve got the farm. Besides, ah’m sure you two will have more than enough people interested in going along.”

I thought about that and doubted it. Not that the prospect of finding Marelantis wasn’t enticing but no pony really believed it existed anymore. I looked at Applejack and smiled.

“Yea, I bet they’ll be lined up at the docks.”

“Well, anyway, ah’ll leave you two to yer work. Stop by the farm if ya need anything.” Applejack closed the door behind her and I glanced at Rainbow.

“We’ve got a week to finish four cases. Think we can do it?”

“Of course we can. We’re only the best mystery solving duo Ponyville’s ever seen.”

We both laughed. She was right, ever since she’d joined me my cases had gone much faster. Her wings and general ability to fly under the radar were keeping her ahead of me in a few cases. But I had a couple tricks she didn’t and that kept us on equal ground. Our relationship had suffered a bit with all the recent work but we had powered through and were feeling closer now than ever before.

I looked back down at all the papers on my desk. I had one of these cases already wrapped up, I just had to tell the pony that hired me. The other, I hadn’t even started but it seemed like it would be easy enough. I sighed and sat back again.

“Hey, Rainbow.”

“What’s up?” She looked up from her own work.

“Take the day off. Go home and pack a little. These cases can wait until tomorrow and I just don’t feel like working today.” I stared at the ceiling as I spoke and could tell she was wondering my intentions.

“Fine with me. These two cases are just about done, anyway.” She walked over and brought my face down to her and kissed me. “I’m hoping you’re right about this trip, ya know. We could use a vacation.”

“Yes, we could.” I smiled at her and got up from my chair. “Let’s get out of here.” We walked out the door bumping each other playfully and I turned to lock up the office.

Rainbow asked the same question she always did at the end of each day, “Same time tomorrow, boss?”

“Yea, same time tomorrow. And how many times have I told you to stop calling me boss?” I asked, turning to her.

“Just about every day I’ve worked here.” She smiled and gave me a wink and then was gone in a flash.

I chuckled as I turned down the road and headed for home but after a few minutes I got that old familiar feeling that I was being followed. Normally I would think nothing of it, Rainbow Dash tried to tail me every once in a while just to work on her skill at it. She was getting rather good at not being detected. But this feeling was different. This person didn’t know what they were doing.

I slowed my pace trying to pick up any hint about who was following me but I kept hearing noises from three separate places. As I rounded a corner I stepped into a nearby alley and flattened myself against the wall.

I hear the footsteps of three ponies moving up and rounding the corner but they stopped just short of the alley.

“Aw shucks, we lost ‘im.” I didn’t recognize the voice but it had a strong Southern accent.

“How did he get away from us so fast?” I didn’t recognize that voice either, it was higher pitched and slightly whiny.

“I told you guys, he’s a professional.” That one I did recognize. Rainbow Dash had told me all about her loyal filly follower, Scootaloo.

Realizing I was facing the Cutie Mark Crusaders I let myself relax, knowing there wasn’t a threat but decided to teach the girls a lesson. I moved further down the alley and hid behind a dumpster, purposefully knocking over a can and making it clatter as I ducked down.

“Did you guys hear that!? He must’ve gone this way!” Scootaloo lead the charge down the alley and the other two followed her closely. As I heard them approach the dumpster I jumped onto my hind legs and made myself as tall as I could, growling with all the ferocity of a manticore.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders all slid to a halt and screamed their little girl squeals. I made a mental note to where earplugs the next time I did this. When they finally stopped screaming I landed on all fours and proceeded to laugh myself silly at them. They joined in half-heartedly.

“That wasn’t very nice, Mr. Chaser.” Sweetie Belle said, as I recovered from my laughing fit.

In the sternest voice I could muster I said, “Neither was following me, girls.”

They looked at each other and down at the ground. They knew I was right. I got the usual “We’re sorry” and lead them back to the street.

“Now would you girls like to tell me why you were following me? I know you weren’t trying to get your cutie marks. Rainbow Dash told me about you three making her day a royal pain in the flank a few weeks ago.” I turned and headed to my house with three tagalongs.

“Well, ya see, Mr. Chaser..”

“Shadow, girls.”

“.. Shadow, we were trying to find out why Rainbow Dash had come to get my sister earlier. They wouldn’t tell us anything because they said they were in too much of a hurry,” Apple Bloom explained.

“Oh, is that all? Well, you could’ve just stopped me and asked.”

Sweetie Belle poked Scootaloo as we walked. “Told you.”

“I sent Rainbow down to Sweet Apple Acres to grab Applejack because she’s the best lie detector in town and I needed to make sure somepony wasn’t lying to me.”

“Whoa, cool! Were you interrogating him? With a big hot lamp in his face while he was tied to a chair?” Scootaloo’s excitement was unmistakable.

“No, no. Nothing like that. I had an old friend come into town and he was telling me a fantastic story about some place he’d been and he wanted me to come along to help him convince other ponies it was real.”

“Why wouldn’t other ponies believe him?” Sweetie asked.

“Well, because the place he found is thought to have been lost for hundreds of years. Back when Equestria was still a young country.”

“Wow. That place must be super hard to find then.” Scootaloo said.

“You bet it is. Lots of brave ponies have spent their lives searching for it and never found it.”

“So did my sister tell you he was telling the truth?”

“She sure did. Turns out the Captain isn’t as crazy as I was thinking and I get to help him make ponies believe that Marelantis is real.”

The girls stopped and gasped speaking as one, “Marelantis!?”

“That’s right, girls, the fabled lost city of Marelantis is hopefully going to make its return to the maps and to the world.”

The girls jumped back into place beside me.

“So when are you going?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Probably in about a week. Rainbow Dash and I have some cases to finish up and then we’re headed to Bridle Shores Bay to meet my friend and begin our expedition.”

“Cool! Can we come with you?” Scootaloo asked in the sweetest voice she could muster.

“I’m sorry, girls, but this isn’t going to be a fun time sailing. This is going to be a serious mission to find Marelantis and document how to get there. And the open waters are filled with all sorts of crazy sea creatures, not to mention pirates.”

“Pirates!?”

“You girls have got to stop shouting together like that.”

As we neared my home I invited the girls in for something to eat before they had to leave. They said they weren’t hungry and thanked me for talking to them. As they dashed back toward Ponyville proper I heard Scootaloo say, “We’ve got to find a way…”

I put my head in my hooves realizing I'd said too much.

"Oh, what did I just do?”

Chapter 2

The next week seemed to drudge by. With three cases down and only one to go Rainbow Dash and I worked tirelessly and it seemed like we were close to finding our target.

“Geez.. This guy really knows how to disappear.” Rainbow sighed and put her head down on her desk.

“Yea, but if we’ve got his routine down we should nail him today when he comes back to Ponyville.” I checked my watch, “And he should be here within an hour. Let’s get going.”

We headed slowly to the train station and set up positions on either side of the platform, making sure our target wouldn’t escape. As we waited for the train to arrive a familiar orange pony strolled up to me.

“Hey, Applejack, what’re you doing here?”

“Ah’m looking for Apple Bloom. Ah haven’t seen hide or hair of her since yesterday.”

I looked down the tracks and saw the train rolling in. “Well, AJ, I’d be happy to help you find her once I’m done here.”

“Ah’d sure appreciate it, Shadow. So what’re you and Rainbow doing here?” The train stopped and the doors opened.

I scanned the crowd of ponies disembarking. “We’re looking to finish our last case for the week, AJ. And if you’ll excuse me, I think I see my target.”

I moved away from Applejack and slipped into the crowd, trying to cause as little of a scene as possible. I could see Rainbow doing the same thing. She’d spotted him too and moved in from the other side.

As we closed in, our target began to look nervous and suddenly took off in a dead sprint. I worked my way quickly through the crowd. Rainbow attempted to take off but couldn’t get room in the crowd to spread her wings.

As I watched him continue to gain distance from me I began shoving my way through the crowd. I had to get to him to stop him. Finally free from the bustling I took off, moving as fast as my hooves would take me but it wasn’t enough, he was still losing me.

As I began to lose hope that we’d end this case today I watched a rainbow colored flash fly past me and toward our target.

Man, I love her.

As Rainbow closed in I suddenly saw the colt trip and stumble to the ground and an orange pony pounced on him and hog tied him. I could see Rainbow stop and laugh and as I caught up I started laughing too.

“Applejack, you’re my hero,” I said, through my panting.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack laughed again. “It’s no problem, sugarcube. What’s this fella’s story, anyway?”

Rainbow grabbed the rope and lifted him off the ground with her wings, heading toward the Ponyville Police Department. “He’s been stealing money from just about everypony he could get close to. This time he chose the wrong pony and they hired us.”

“And now he’s going to jail for a long time.” I felt smug at this catch even though I’d not exactly done anything.

Applejack poked me as Rainbow continued to float away with our last case. I turned to her, my smile quickly fading with the look of concern on her face.

“Ah hate to trouble ya, Shadow but ah’m real worried about my sister. She disappears every once in a while but she always turns up for supper time and she didn’t turn up last night.” Applejack kicked at the dirt as she spoke. I got the sense she wasn’t comfortable with asking for help.

I looked back at Rainbow for a moment. “Hey Dash, you take care of him, I’m gonna help AJ out.”

“No problem-o, boss.”

I turned back to Applejack and tried my best to sound reassuring, “Don’t worry, Applejack, we’ll find her in no time. Where did you last see her?”

“Well, her and her friends were playing in that old clubhouse for the past few days.”

“Well, then let’s start there.”

We turned and headed to Sweet Apple Acres at a brisk pace. I could tell Applejack was really worried. We hadn’t gone more than a hundred yards when I heard an old familiar voice calling mine and Applejack’s names.

I turned and saw Rarity hurriedly walking over to us.

“Well, hi, Rarity. What can we do ya for?”

“Applejack, I was wondering if you’d seen Sweetie Belle. She didn’t come home last night and I didn’t know if the girls had stayed with you at the farm and just not told me.”

“Golly, no, Rarity, ah haven’t seen AB since yesterday either. Ah was just grabbing Shadow here to help me look for her.”

Rarity looked at me and I felt a twinge of regret. I used to tease her in school for being such a girly-girl. I used to kick dirt at her and watch her run from it. I would muss her hair every chance I got. Pull her tail, and just generally bully and annoy her. Admittedly, not the best idea when you have a crush on someone, but we were just fillies back then and I didn’t know any better. And then she grew up to be the most beautiful mare in Ponyville.

I’d long since apologized to her about it all and subsequently been shot down on my idea of a date but she hadn’t been nearly as mean to me about that as I had been to her in school. We remained friends but were never exactly close.

Applejack cleared her throat and I realized they had been staring at me, expecting me to speak while I’d been staring at Rarity.

“Oh, uh.. Yea, we’re headed to Sweet Apple Acres, to check out the girls’ clubhouse. You’re welcome to join us, Rarity.”

Rarity graciously decided not to mention my staring and said simply, “Well, let’s not dilly-dally then.”

We picked up our walk, once again moving at a bit faster of a pace than I thought necessary but these two were worried and that was enough to make me not question it. I tried to lighten the mood a bit.

“So how’re the apples coming in this year, Applejack?”

“Oh, they’re mighty big this year. It’s gonna be a good harvest.”

“That’s great! Maybe that means some extra cider this year.”

“Ah wouldn’t get your hopes up, sugarcube. You know Rainbow will be buying every bit she can get her hooves on.” We chuckled as we came up on the farm. I found myself happy that our target had run this way instead of farther into town.

Applejack led the way through the orchards and to the small clubhouse on the edge of the farm.

“This place is really out of the way,” I said.

Applejack grinned sheepishly, “It was built to keep little fillies out of the way of the plantin’ and harvestin’.”

I chuckled and walked up the ramp and inside. The clubhouse looked like it had been ransacked.

“My word, look at this mess! Someone must’ve kidnapped the girls!” Rarity’s anxiety was getting the better of her.

“Nah, it always looks like this.”

Rarity rolled her eyes and I began to look around for some clues as to the girls’ location.

I kicked over a few clothes lying on the ground. Mostly winter clothes. The closet had been run through but without knowing what was normally in there it didn’t help me. I noticed a note pad sitting on the table in the middle of the room but it was blank, the previous page having been torn off rather roughly.

“What do ya think, Shadow?”

“Is there a pencil or crayon anywhere?”

“What?” The look on Applejack’s face told me she thought I was crazy.

“Here’s one,” Rarity said from behind me.

I took it from her and tore a page from the back of the note pad. Placing the sheet over the top of the pad I scribbled back and forth with the crayon, allowing the last thing written on the note pad to show up through the grooves the crayon couldn’t color in. I read the words aloud as I could discern them.

“Bridle… Shores… Bay… Midnight… Express… Train…” I stopped scribbling and stared at what I had just read.
“Oh, sweet Celestia, no.”

“What is it!? Did the girls run away!?” This time Rarity was not being overexcited.

“What do ya mean ‘run away!?’” Applejack came running over to the table.

I spoke slowly as I stared at the pages. “The girls have gone to look for Marelantis.”

“Marelantis!?” Their unison shouting made me wonder for a moment if they’d been the previous Cutie Mark Crusaders.

“Why ever would the girls go on such a ridiculous journey?”

“And why would they just up and leave without tellin’ no pony where they were going!?”

“And why would they go to Bridle Shores Bay? That’s no place for three young fillies! Why think of all the brutish sailors and their filthy mouths!”

Rarity and Applejack continued to be outraged that their sisters had gone while I stared at the paper and spoke softly.

“I’m responsible.”

“What did you say, Shadow?” Rarity asked.

“I’m the reason the girls went there.”

“Whatever do you mean?”

I inhaled slowly and let it out even slower.

“I mean, the girls asked me about why I had Applejack come to my office to see my friend and I told them why. I told them all about Marelantis and the voyage Rainbow and I are set to embark on the day after tomorrow.

We’re going to Bridle Shores Bay to meet my friend and take his ship to find Marelantis. The girls asked if they could come but I told them it was much too dangerous for them.” I felt like my heart was sinking within me. “This is all my fault.”

“Hold on now. You may have told the girls about Marelantis but Rarity and ah certainly don’t blame you for them runnin’ off. This ain’t the first time they’ve done somethin’ like this.”

“Applejack’s right, dear. Those girls are always getting into trouble. Admittedly, running away from Ponyville is a first, but I’m sure we’ll find them quickly. How hard can it be to find three fillies?”

My mind brought up the number of fillies that went missing every year and how many of them were never found.

“I think I’m going to be sick…”

I rushed out of the clubhouse and leaned over the railing, dry heaving. Rarity and Applejack came and stood next to me as I regained my composure.

“So what do ya reckon our first move should be?” Applejack asked, bluntly.

“Excuse me?”

“Well, you certainly don’t expect us to wait around here while you go off to save them, do you? The girls are our responsibility and our sisters. We can’t just let them be lost in such a brutish town as Bridle Shores Bay. We must act quickly.”

The attitude they both seemed to approach this with shocked me. They had both been nervous before knowing where the girls were. Now that they knew, they seemed determined to get them back, and weren’t worried in the least, and I was the one who felt like the world was ending and was overcome with grief.

You’re still a softie.

I took another deep breath calming my nerves and clearing my mind.

“Well, we’ll have to move quickly. You two head to your homes and pack as fast as you can, I’ll find Rainbow and tell her to gather her things. Once you’re ready head to the train station. When we all arrive we’ll do what we can to get to Bridle Shores Bay as fast as possible.”

Rarity and Applejack nodded and ran off toward their homes, leaving me standing on the porch of the clubhouse.

“Oh, Celestia, how’re we going to find these girls?”

You’re going to pony up and do it because this is just what you do.

I sighed again. Much as I hated my inner voice sometimes I knew finding the Crusaders was our only option. Failure was not.

I walked down the ramp of the clubhouse and took off toward my home. Rainbow Dash had been staying with me for the week so her suitcase was there and next to mine by the front door. I’d have to use a trick Twilight had taught me to find her.

As my house came into view I spotted a familiar zebra standing at my door. I’d completely forgotten about her coming to visit today. I stopped just short, trotting quickly up to her, panting heavily.

“You move so fast, you’re looking blurry. But what has you, in such a hurry?” Zecora’s ability to rhyme had always astounded me and put me in a better mood, but today I could find no solace in her rhymes.

“Hey Zecora. I hate to take your potions and run but we’ve got a bit of an emergency on our hooves.”

“That’s no problem, my friend, Shadow. Now take this pouch, and go, go, go.” She handed me a small pouch and I heard a several vials tinking inside. I began to ask how I would tell them apart but she cut me off as she leaned in and whispered, “They’re all labeled. Now go save the girls.”

I stared at her blankly. She hadn’t rhymed, hadn’t spoken in her normal voice and somehow had knowledge that the girls were missing.

“How did you know about them?”

Zecora chuckled softly. “When Ponyville’s best detective is at his wit’s end, the only culprit must be Apple Bloom and her friends.”

I reached in my door and grabbed the two suitcases and safely tucked in the pouch Zecora had given me.

“Thanks, Z. I owe you.” I left her standing there and hustled to the train station, trying to remember the exact spell Twilight had taught me.

“Do not worry, Shadow Chaser. We’ll be even when the girls are out of danger.”

I smiled in spite of myself. Her rhymes were ridiculous sometimes.

I met Applejack at the foot of the stairs to the train station.

“Have ya seen Rarity or Rainbow, Shadow?”

“I didn’t see them on my way here but I’ve got a way to get Dash here quick.”

I stepped away from the train station taking in the whole building and then shut my eyes tight and concentrated hard. Feeling my horn begin to glow I focused on the train station image and the on Rainbow Dash. I went back and forth twice, hoping she would understand.

Twilight had taught me a spell that was useful for communicating without speaking. However, since I wasn’t nearly as talented as Twilight is, I had to use short term memory images and then send those images to the mind of the target pony. It wasn’t the best system ever but our few trial runs had proven fruitful.

I opened my eyes and looked at Applejack. “Let’s hope she gets the message.”

“Ah’ll never understand how all that magic stuff works. Glad you know it though.”

“I just wish I was better at it. Twilight can only teach me so much.”

There was a gentle breeze and Rainbow appeared above us, hovering and finally landing.

“What’s going on? Why are we at the train station? And what’s with the suitcases? I thought we were leaving tomorrow.”

“The girls have gone missin’, Rainbow. We think they headed to Bridle Shores Bay so we’re lookin’ to catch the next train there.”

“Bridle Shores Bay? Why would they…” Rainbow suddenly realized why. “You told them about it, didn’t you, Shadow? Dang it! How many times have I told you? You can’t give them any crazy ideas or they jump all over it.”

I opened my mouth to speak but my throat went dry.

“Whoa, calm down there, RD. There’s no way Shadow could’ve known the girls would catch a train to such a faraway place. Any pony could’ve made the mistake of saying too much.”

Rainbow sighed. She was still visibly upset but yelling at me wouldn’t solve our problem. We decided to move into the train station to wait for Rarity but were met with a pleasant surprise.

Rarity stood holding three express tickets to Bridle Shores Bay.

“Rarity, how’d you get these so fast?”

“A gentlecolt never asks and a lady never tells.”

“Someone owed you a favor, didn’t they?” Applejack asked, bluntly.

Rarity looked disheartened at her secret being revealed.

“Yes, they did. But unfortunately they could only procure three tickets. One of us will be staying here.” She spoke to
Applejack and Rainbow Dash. She knew I had to go.

“Well, ah’m sure as heck not stayin’ here.”

Rarity looked at Rainbow Dash. “Rainbow Dash, I’d like you to go in my place.”

The look of confusion and surprise on Rainbow’s face about covered it for Applejack and I, as well.

“What? Don’t you want to go save your sister?”

“Well, of course I do!” Rarity’s anger flared momentarily. “But I recognize that you and Shadow have much more experience at finding ponies than I could ever dream to. If I went I would just be in the way the whole time and that wouldn’t help anything.”

When I think about it now, I shouldn’t have been surprised at Rarity’s generosity but I still kind of am. To give up the hunt for your own sister so another pony can go off to save her is just plain brave. As she took the ticket, I could see even Rainbow was touched.

“Thanks, Rare. I promise I’ll bring Sweetie Belle back safe and sound.”

Rarity embraced her friends tightly and wished them luck. She settled for a hoof shake for me but wished me luck all the same.

As we all climbed aboard the train we waved to Rarity who was tearing up as we started to roll. My heart broke for her. The only way I could make this right was to bring Sweetie Belle and the other girls home safely. Nothing would stand in my way.

Applejack, Rainbow and I ventured back into the cabin we’d be sleeping in. It would be a full day before we would arrive, even on the express train. Rainbow chose the bunk above mine and Applejack chose the one across from us.

“Hey Shadow,” Rainbow called from above me.

“What’s up, Rainbow?”

“Have you ever been to Bridle Shores Bay?”

“Once or twice. Only long enough to know that it’s not somewhere I’d want to live or even visit. It’s a pretty rough town.”

Rainbow Dash poked her head down from above me, whispering loudly, “Hey, don’t sound so harsh about it. Applejack’s sister is going to beat us there.”

I shrunk my head a little, I hadn’t thought about that.

“Don’t worry about me, Rainbow. My sister might be headed for a doozy of a town, but there ain’t a member of the Apple family that can’t handle even the toughest places.” Applejack tipped her hat over her eyes as she finished her sentence.

Catching some sleep was a good idea. I stared at Rainbow still leaning down from above me and kissed my hoof and held it to her. She kissed her hoof and hoof bumped me before returning to her bunk. I rolled over to face out the window, wondering how we would find the girls once we were at our destination.

I finally drifted off into a troubled sleep. This was going to be a long ride.
----------

I sat with Skip on the bank of the Highland Reservoir. He’d always been fascinated by water. I was never too fond of it. He’d spend all his spare time learning how water worked. Currents, evaporation, cloud, the weather associated with moving rain, it was all very fascinating to him.

We’d spent most of the day fashioning a boat out of an old hollowed out tree trunk we’d found. It looked pretty sea worthy but I wasn’t so sure.

“You really think this old thing will really float?” I asked, rocking our makeshift boat from side to side.

“Of course it will! All boats are made of wood anyway. We just have to trust that the sea will treat us kindly!” He laughed as he stood and moved behind the boat. “Help me push it into the water.”

I moved slowly to help him. He knew of my hatred for water but we both knew that friendships were about compromises. Today was our day to dive into the briny deep that was the Highland Reservoir. Briny deep was a loose term. This was probably the cleanest source of water Ponyville had.

I pushed hard against our boat and together we moved it to the water. As we hit the water I told him to jump in and I’d push him the rest of the way out. He did so without hesitation or protest. He really loved this boat. I gave one more hard shove and he was cast adrift in the water. Though without a way to steer or propel himself he was rather stationary in the water.

“Well, now what,” I yelled from the shore.

“Hang on, I’ve got an idea!”

I watched as he removed his paper sailing hat and tore a few sticks from the edge of the boat. He fashioned a small sail and planted it firmly in the bottom of the boat.

I watched as the sails fluffed and took in the gentle breeze and off he went, sailing the Highland Reservoir like a true professional. He would shift the sail this way or that in order to steer, never moving too far from the shore.

I marveled from the shore at my friend sailing his boat, envious of his love of adventure. Not so envious of his love of the sea, but his excitement in sailing was contagious and I felt I might be brave enough to try it.

As he made one final pass by the shore he shouted.

“I’m going to take her out a little bit farther!”

“Just be careful, Skip.”

I watched him turn and head for deeper waters but noticed something seemed off about the boat, like it had lowered in the water. As he turned around once more to me and gave me a wave from a distance, his face looked nervous but excited. I watched as he pulled his mast out of the boat and cast is aside in the water.

“What’re you doing!?”

He shouted something that I couldn’t discern.

His boat was visibly sinking now. An edge had dipped below the water and he was all but sunk. I stared as he rode the ship down until he and the boat were completely underwater. I panicked.

I ran headlong into the water. I wasn’t the best swimmer but I knew enough to save my friend. I swam as quickly as my legs would take me, diving under and looking around for any sign of Skip.

I spotted the boat not far from me now and dove deeper, looking frantically for my friend. I wasn’t even sure he knew how to swim. I felt my lungs burning for fresh air and returned to the surface gasping and heard laughter coming from the shore. I turned and saw Skip rolling on the ground laughing and pointing at me. I made my way back to shore slowly.

“What happened, Skip? One minute you’re fine the next you just disappear under the water? And how’d you make it back over here?” I panted softly trying to catch my breath.

“Oh, Shadow, you didn’t think I was drowning did you?” His laughter was beginning to anger me. “Shadow, I’ve known how to swim since I was just a baby. And as for the going underwater, well, I guess when I planted my mast I planted it too hard and poked a hole in the bottom of the boat. But like any good captain, I went down with my ship.”

I was furious that I had made an unknowing fool of myself but at the same time relieved my friend was okay. I laughed at him softly.

“Just don’t do that anymore, alright? Captain.”

He smiled at me. “Captain. I like that. Maybe you should just call me that from now on. Captain Skip Stalwart. Yea, that’s got a ring to it.”

We both laughed and began to head for home when a twinkling caught both our eyes. It was Skip’s flank. We watched wide eyed as his blank flank was replaced by the wheel of a ship. We looked at each other and bro hoofed.

“I guess I really am meant to be a captain.”

“Dang, that means I’m the last coly in class to get my cutie mark.”

“Aw, don’t worry, Shadow. I’m sure liking Rarity will get you a cutie mark someday.”

“You shut up. She’s the prettiest girl in class. Tell me you don’t like her.”
----------

I bolted upright in my bunk; someone had been trying to wake me. I turned to see a visibly startled Applejack staring back at me. She made a shushing gesture at me and pointed to Rainbow’s bunk. I guess she was still sleeping. She then made a follow me gesture and I nodded. We quietly exited the cabin and I noticed that it was fairly bright outside; I must’ve only been out an hour or two.

Applejack led the way to the dining car and we sat and ordered something small. I was actually quite hungry but didn’t know why. When Applejack finally spoke after the waiter had left I figured it out.

“You feelin’ alright, Shadow? You were out all of yesterday and now most of today.”

I felt shocked that I’d slept so long. I usually never got more than a couple hours of sleep at a time. “Yea, I feel fine. I guess I was just really tired.”

“Well, hopefully all that rest will keep us keen for when we get to Bridle Shores. Can ah ask you something, Shadow?”

“Anything, AJ.”

“Well, what you said about the Bay has got me to thinkin’. Do you think Applebloom and the girls will be alright on their own?”

Applejack would certainly detect any lie and know if I was just trying to cheer her up. I searched my heart for the most honest answer I could come up with.

“Yea. I think they’ll be okay. Not that I’d leave them there forever. But to survive a day or two, the girls have enough knowhow to get themselves into or out of any situation.”

Applejack stared at me for a long minute. I could almost swear it was her own version of Fluttershy’s dreaded “Stare.” When finally she spoke, it was with relief.

“Okay. Ah know AB is strong but hearin’ that from someone else really does make me feel better.” She smiled sweetly at me before changing the subject. “So who were you talkin’ about?”

“Excuse me?”

“When ah was tryin’ to wake you up, you kept sayin’ “She’s the prettiest girl in class.” Who were you talkin’ about?”

I blushed for a moment, happy that she hadn’t been privy to other conversations the Captain and I had had in the past. They were not all completely civilized.

“I was talking about Rarity. I used to have a thing for her in school. Never turned into anything though.”

“Well, ah think you an’ Rarity would make a fine lookin’ couple.”

“Oh yea, the fashionista and the private detective. I could solve crime in the highest of fashion.” We both laughed as our meals arrived and we ate.

“So, what’s our first move when we get to Bridle Shores?”

“Well, I need to find three people. They’ll be our best bet to finding the girls.”

“Who are they?”

I finished my large bite and tried to recall their names. “The first is the Captain. The fellow you met last week, whom I know is staying in a hotel. The next is, ‘Broom-tailed’ Bart. He’s the kind of pony that knows everything. He’ll likely be in the same bar he always is. He’s a large connection to the underside of the Bay and he’ll know if anyone has seen three fillies.”

“Who’s the third?”

“Never knew his real name. Always just called him Bruno. He’s a hefty fellow. Now that I think about it, he looks a lot like Snowflake.”

“What’s so special about him?”

“Well, Bruno is the type of colt that never much liked seeing weaker ponies picked on. He’s the ultimate defender of the underdog. I’d bet that if the girls have run into any trouble at all, they’ve already met Bruno and made good friends with him. Nice colt, really.”

Applejack stared at me again.

“Any more questions, AJ?”

“Yea. How’d you come to know all these seedy fellas?”

“Appleajck, when you do what I do, for as long as I’ve done it, you often times find yourself dealing with unsavory characters. What counts is that your own credibility and morals stay intact no matter how much you must associate with them. So, what do you think, AJ? Think that all my shady dealings in Bridle Shores Bay will drive me to a life of crime?” I lowered my head and spoke in a whisper as I finished my questions and finally winked at her. I could see her trying to repress a laugh.

“Come on, Applejack, you should know better than any other pony that my job and who I know does not have any effect on my own personal beliefs.”

She shook her head and smiled at me. “Ah know, ah know. Doesn’t mean ah gotta like it, though.”

“Do you know if Rainbow has eaten? I’d hate for her to miss out on this.”

“Yea, she woke me up for breakfast and lunch. Said we’d best let you sleep ‘cause you probably won’t be getting much once we’ve arrived.”

“Yea, she’s right. And from the look of it, we have arrived.”

The train was beginning to slow and I could see the city of Bridle Shores Bay out the windows looking just as dark and dank and awful as I remembered.

I sent Applejack to wake up Rainbow as I got our bags readied. Once the train stopped we would begin our hunt. I only prayed that we would be swift enough to stop the girls from doing anything foolhardy or dangerous.

Chapter 3

We stood on the Bridle Shores platform watching the bustling crowds moving this way and that. The cobblestone streets were filled with all manner of ponies. Sailors and shopkeepers, bartenders and butchers. As I watched everyone moving around, I got a bit of a nostalgic feeling. Seeing everyone moving with a purpose but still completely independent of each other, filled me with a sense of belonging. Much as I didn’t like this town, I did fit in.

I looked at Rainbow Dash and Applejack, they seemed a bit overwhelmed.

“You guys okay?”

Applejack spoke without turning her head, still taking in the scene in front of her, “This place sure is big. How’re we gonna find AB and her friends?”

“We’re going to stick to the plan. I’m going to go find Broomtail. I need you two to find the Waterfront Hotel and find out which room the Captain is in.”

“We’re splitting up? That doesn’t seem like a great idea,” Rainbow said. “How would we find each other once we’ve found who we need to?”

“You know how I can use that spell to send you pictures? Well, you can use it on me without the magic. The residual effect lasts for a few days so when you find the Captain just look at him and close your eyes, and then think of me.”

“Cool. But how come you didn’t tell me that before?”

“What? And miss out on knowing how much you’re thinking of me? Which is too much when you’re on the job.” I winked and gave her a nudge as she rolled her eyes.

“Alright, ladies, let’s get a move on.”

Applejack and Rainbow headed down the main road in town and I made a quick left heading down an off road that looked darker even though it was day time. I knew exactly where I was headed but I wondered if I’d get a warm welcome or be forced to butt a few heads.

I made a right into a back alley to shorten my trip and spotted the old familiar wooden sign that the tavern boasted. The Stout Stallion was still carved neatly into the sign and the wood carving of a stallion on his two hind legs made the bar look more reputable than it actually was. What lay inside was a den of liars, deceivers, pirates, and all around bad colts.

I nodded at the ponies sitting outside. Though none mentioned knowing me but I got a few second glances and the nod of approval as I mounted the steps and walked in. The setup of the bar hadn’t changed at all.

The entrance was still overlooking the entire bar so you could see everyone as soon as you walked in and they could see you. I got a few more wary glances but I gave off a look of knowing I meant to be here so most ponies didn’t give me a second glance. I made my way down the stairs and into the pub proper and approached the bar.

“Be with ya in a minute, hon,” the barmare said with her back to me as she poured drinks. Her yellow coat and rosy mane stood out against the rest of the bar but she still looked exactly the same as I remembered her.

“Take your time, Daisy.”

She poured the last of the ale into the mug and turned quickly.

“Shadow!? Oh my goodness! Where have you been? I haven’t seen you in a couple years now.” She embraced me over the counter before remembering her drink orders.

“Hold on.” She quickly dispersed the mugs that had been ordered and returned to me. “Now where have you been!?”

She spoke like an aunt that only sees you during family reunions. Which wasn’t so farfetched. Daisy had known me from the first time I ventured to Bridle Shores. I didn’t even have my cutie mark back then but she had treated me as a stallion but also a bit like her nephew. She’d helped me nearly every time I’d been forced to Bridle Shores and I honestly never showed her enough appreciation.

“Hey Daisy. I don’t exactly have time to talk. I need to talk to Broomtail to see if he’s seen someone.” I spoke quietly but sternly. She knew I was working a case.

“No problem. Broom’s in the back, like always. Be careful though, Shadow. That stallion has had a chip on his shoulder for a while now.”

“Thanks for the heads up.” I smiled at her and dropped two bits on the counter which she swept away quickly. Information never came free.

I wove my way through the tables and bar patrons, heading for the room opposite the bar. I passed the piano on my way, where two familiar looking yellow ponies sat playing at the same time. They produced a good sound but I wondered if they’d been trying to sell any more of their cider in Bridle Shores. The Flim Flam Brothers would never make a living in this town.

I pushed my way through the door dividing the main bar and the backroom and was immediately stopped as someone grabbed my mane pulling me back into the bar. I couldn’t see who was holding onto me but they spoke in a deep and familiar voice.

“What business you got with Broomtail?”

“Two-tone?”

My head whipped around sharply and I bared my teeth in pain but I could see the pony holding my mane now.

Tony “Two-tone” was a world class body guard and all around nice pony but when he was on the job there wasn’t a meaner colt in the world. He’d gotten his nickname from the distinct two tone color of his coat. He was black in the front, blue in the back, a cosmic joke that suited him with how many times he’d turned other stallions those colors. Broomtail had apparently hired him for protection.

Tony gave me a long look before finally releasing me and embracing me tightly.

“Shadow! Hey, how ya doin’ buddy? Boy, am I glad to see you, I need your help. Broomtail’s got me working for free right now. I owe him some money but can’t pay up. Can ya help me, Shadow?”

I gasped and was barely able to speak because of his embrace, “I’ll help… If you let me… go!” He finally released me from his vice like hug and I took a deep breath.

“Oh.. Sorry, Shadow.” His sheepish grin had an endearing quality only a man of his size could pull off.

“It’s alright, Two-tone. I’m actually here to see if Broomtail’s seen someone I’m looking for but I’ll talk to him about letting you off the hook. I think he owes me a favor.” He didn’t but I would try to convince him that he did.

“Gee, thanks, Shadow. Go ahead in but try not to push any buttons. He’s been super mean lately and I don’t wanna have to rough you up.”

“Don’t worry about it, Tone.”

I pushed the door once again and this time entered unmolested. The room was rather open with a few tables in the middle and my old friend sitting right in the middle with his back to me. His muddy-yellow coat and bright yellow mane were always a dead giveaway.

I approached his table and took a drink from a passing barmare, sitting opposite him and looking across the table as I took a gulp of my drink. I could see that he didn’t recognize me at first. I was a lot smaller the last time I’d been around him. As a wave of remembrance washed over him I could see he wasn’t happy to see me. He never had been. When he spoke he called me something I thought I’d never hear again.

“Hello, brother.”

“Never thought I’d hear that again.”

“Never thought you’d be coming back.”

“Hadn’t intended to. I’m on the job. And I need to know if you’ve seen someone.”

“Who?”

“Three fillies. Yellow with a red mane, white with a pink and purple mane, and orange with a dark red mane.”

“You know I don’t keep tabs on kids.”

“This is different. These three don’t belong. Ran away from Pon.. From home. We know they were headed here. They’re looking to get on a boat most likely."

“And why would these three want to get on a boat?”

“They heard about Marelantis. They want to find it.

“Marelantis? Only one person in this town has been gathering folks for a death trip like that. You’re old friend Skip, if I recall.”

“Yea, he is. He came to see me. I’m thinking of joining him but I’ve got to find these fillies first.”

“Oh, Shadow, you’d really join a crazy stallion and three naïve little fillies on their quest for Marelantis? All those years in the shadows must be driving you insane.” He grinned a wicked grin.

“Let’s stay on point here. Have you seen them?”

“No, Shadow. I told you I don’t keep tabs on kids. Talk to Bruno. You know protecting fillies is right up his alley.”

I finished my drink and got up to leave.

“Oh, Shadow. If you don’t find these fillies, don’t worry. I’m sure someone around here will take them in.”

My temper was beginning to flare and I began to walk with a purpose toward the door.

“By the way, I’m taking Two-tone.”

“Fine. I don’t need a bodyguard anyway.”

I walked back into the bar and leaned back against the door, closing my eyes. I hated talking to him. As I collected my thoughts I saw the Captain flash in my mind, once, then again. Rainbow Dash and Applejack had found him. Good. One less thing to worry about.

I sighed deeply and opened my eyes to Two-tone standing in front of me looking like an excited school filly on her first day. I smiled at him and nodded. The look of relief and happiness made him seem like he was going to cry.

“You’re free to go, Tony. But if you’ve got some free time, I could use your services.”

“You got it, Shadow. Anything.”

“Just walk with me outside.”

We made our way through the bar and I waved goodbye to Daisy. She blew me a kiss. When we were outside I angled us toward the hotel.

“So where’re we headed, Shadow?”

“We’re just going for a walk. If I know Broomtail, he’s going to have someone tail us. That’s what you’re for.”

Tony chuckled as he got the message and we picked up our pace as we headed to the hotel. Tony asked why I was in town and I told him the whole story. Marelantis, the Crusaders, Rainbow and AJ. He nodded along like it was a normal thing to be hearing. When I finally finished we were less than a block from the hotel and I hadn’t picked up any sense of being followed. I told Bruno that he wouldn’t be needed to protect me and he looked a bit upset.

“Hey, I’ll tell you what. How good are you at sailing?” I asked him.

“Pretty good. I’ve picked up a lot over the years.”

“Well, the Captain and I are going to need a good crew when we set out for Marelantis. Are you in?”

“Sure, Shadow. I’d love to go with you guys.”

“Well, you give me a day or two to find the girls and I’ll get you set up on the ship with the Captain and we’ll be off, alright?”

“That sounds great.”

“Stay out of trouble until then, buddy.”

He turned to head back into town but I stopped him.

“Do you know where Bruno is these days?”

“Sure, he’s been volunteering with the firefighters in town. That stallion is something else.”

“He sure is.”

Tony headed off into the night and I headed into the hotel. It would be nice to sit and relax for a few hours before picking up the trail again tomorrow. My intuition was telling me the girls were still in town and if they’d been into any trouble, Broomtail would know.

I asked the mare at the front desk what room the Captain was in and was headed to the third floor in no time. When I finally made it I knocked and was met by Rainbow Dash. We hugged and she gave me a “You’ll never believe this” look.

As we made our way into the room, I found Rainbow’s look was right. The Captain was in full-on ‘Flirt with Applejack’ mode and Applejack, despite herself, was slightly melting. Not many people pay too much attention to you when you spend all day on a secluded farm and working yourself to the bone. Applejack did her best to keep a small gap between them as the Captain tried to scoot closer. I think she was just enjoying the extra attention but she looked to be enjoying it too much.

I coughed loudly and that snapped them both out of it. Applejack jumped off the edge of the bed and blushed lightly before speaking.

“So, what did ya find out?”

“Well, Broomtail hasn’t seen the girls,” Applejack’s heart clearly sunk a little. “But that’s good news. If he’d known about them, then they would’ve been in trouble.”

Applejack breathed a sigh of relief. “What about that other fella?”

“We’ll have to find Bruno tomorrow. We got here a little too late in the day for me to find both of them.”

I knew Applejack hadn’t liked that answer. Despite my good feelings, her confidence that her sister was just fine was beginning to wear thin. She sat on the bed once more, looking off at nothing in particular and thinking of how she could find Applebloom.

“Well, that’s a fine way to take the wind out of the lady’s sails, Shadow,” the Captain said harshly.

“Look, she knows lies like you know boats. There are no white lies to make her feel better. Which is why she isn’t exactly swooning over whatever stories you’ve been telling her. She knows every one of them has been puffed up.”

Applejack laid back on the bed. “Four outright lies and one mostly true story but the ship catching fire was a lie. But when you said my eyes were the brightest green you’d ever seen, that was true.”

I could see the Captain lose his color and look around nervously.

“It’s ok, buddy. Honest mistake.” I patted him on the shoulder.

Rainbow Dash was trying not to laugh as she sat next to Applejack.

“So what’re we doing now? Just waiting until morning?”

“That’s pretty much all we can do, Dash. I’ll find Bruno in the morning and if he hasn’t seen the girls then we’ll have to figure something else out. For now, all we can do is get a little rest.”

We divided the two beds, Rainbow and I took one and Applejack the other. The Captain chose to sleep on the floor so as not to give the wrong impression with Applejack. From the look on her face, I could see she felt bad for him sleeping on the floor but it was likely for the best. Applejack was a grown mare but the Captain had a way to sweet talk anypony he put his mind to and, from the display we’d seen earlier, he’d become a bit smitten with her.

I laid down next to Rainbow and took a moment to just enjoy her closeness. The smell of her mane was something I could never place. I always just assumed that was how rainbows would smell. Pinkie had told me once she had tasted a rainbow and that it had been spicy but this was a sweet smell. Something I’d never found anywhere else.

I leaned forward and kissed her behind the ear and watched it twitch softly. I smiled as she pushed at me lightly. That was a button of hers that I had found. Not necessarily a turn on but something that happened every single time and always made her annoyed at me. She turned her head around as far as she could without rolling over to me and gave me a glance that told me to behave with the two other ponies in the room. I winked and kissed her cheek letting her know I would indeed behave. I squeezed her tightly for a moment before I felt myself drifting off to sleep.

----------

I wandered through our old rickety house toward the front door and the pounding that had awoken me. I thought maybe my brother and his friends had decided to bother me all night knowing our parents wouldn’t be home until after the weekend. But when I opened the door I was greeted by a policemare.

“Shadow? I need you to come with me, sweetheart.” I recognized her voice but sleep had left me in a haze and I couldn’t see her face yet. When finally I could see I recognized her as the mare my parents had introduced me to when I had shown an interest in finding things and ponies.

“Officer Berry? What’s going on?” My head raced with questions.

“Yes, Shadow. I need you to come with me.”

“Did I do something wrong?” I slunk back a little thinking of the small notepad I’d taken off her desk. Could she really arrest me for that?

“No, Shadow. I’ll explain on the way but I really need you to come now.” The look on her face was stern and serious but caring. I nodded and walked to her, closing the door behind me.

We got into a carriage and headed toward the edge of town. Though Officer Berry had promised to explain she sat silent, looking between me and the passing countryside. She looked like she was having a hard time vocalizing what she was thinking.

“Where are we going, Berry?” I asked when I finally couldn’t stand it any longer.

She gave me a serious glance before looking back out the window.

“Shadow..” Her voice cracked and she cleared her throat. “Shadow, I have some bad news.”

“About what?” I couldn’t think of anything going on outside of town that I would be involved in.

“It’s about your parents, hon. They..” Her voice caught as she told her story. “They were involved in an accident. The train they were on that was headed to Canterlot was involved in a collision with another train. One of the conductors fell asleep and didn’t change tracks when he needed to. We found your mother and she’s on her way to Ponyville Hospital but your father was pinned by some debris and he’s asked that we bring you to him.”

Maybe it was because my young mind couldn’t fully grasp what she was saying or maybe some part of me has forgotten but I didn’t cry. I sat and stared out the window, waiting for the carriage to slow. My mind racing to all the things my dad had taught me.

I saw an orange glow out the window in the distance and saw it getting closer. It was the trains. The fire crews hadn’t been able to fully douse the blaze yet. As we exited I smelled the air. Smoke and burning wood and something else I came to know as burnt flesh.

“Come on, Shadow. I need to take you to your father.”

I followed her silently out of the carriage and down the length of tracks, away from the blaze, following the crumpled train cars. I felt the wind picked up from behind me and a cloud of smoke passed over me and I coughed hard as it burned my eyes and my lungs. I felt someone grab hold of me and push me to the ground. It must have been Officer Berry.

----------

I felt myself fall to the floor of the hotel room. The smell of smoke was distinct and not contained to my dream. Something was on fire. I roused the others and we all ducked low under the smoke above our heads. We made for the door and as I tested it I felt no warmth from the other side. I opened it slowly, looking into the hallway and seeing several ponies rush past our door and down the hall to a room that had smoke pouring from it.

I motioned for the others to move past me.

“You three head downstairs, I’m going to see if I can help.”

Applejack and the Captain nodded, heading for the stairs as fast as they could but Rainbow Dash lingered.

“I’m not leaving you. If you can help them then I can too.”

Sometimes she was loyal to a fault. “Just go, Dash. I trained in this kind of thing a long time ago, I’ll be alright.”

“Yea, ‘a long time ago’ you would be alright. But I’m not leaving you.” She stared at me as if she’d spoken her last on the issue and I shook my head and sighed.

“Just stay close. I don’t want to lose you in all this.”

We moved down the hall as one, moving toward the open door. As we neared, I heard the sounds of fire extinguisher and my nose caught a very distinct smell that I’d never forgotten and I turned to Dash once more.

“Dash. Go back. Go back down the hall and downstairs.”

“What!? Didn’t I just tell you…”

“No, Dash! No arguing with me on this one. Go back.” I made my face as serious as I could. I didn’t want her to see what was coming.

She took my face in her hoof and brought mine to hers. “Listen to me, Shadow Chaser. I’m a big pony and I can handle anything. I’m not leaving the stallion I love just because he thinks it’ll be safer for me somewhere else. I’d rather die with you than alone.” Her eyes were ferocious and she had to shout to be heard over the fire extinguisher in the room behind me and I hated her at that moment for all her stubbornness but my mind moved to what she’d said and grasped something.

That was the first time either of us had said we loved the other out loud.

I nodded at her and moved my mouth to her ear, whispering, “Stay close. This won’t be pretty.”

I turned and brought her close next to me as we continued to keep low below the smoke. We rounded the corner together and my fear was realized. In the middle of the room was the source of the fire and smoke and the terrible smell.

A pony lay in the middle of the room, the fire just now dying from the chemicals of the fire extinguishers. The charred body turned my stomach but I calmed myself. The same could not be said for Rainbow Dash as she back from next to me and out of the room. I heard her retching in the hallway and wished I’d not given in to her.

One of the firecolts turned to me as I stood in the doorway and shouted at me to leave but my eyes were fixed on the pony before us. I couldn’t recognize who it was, I just stared.

As the same firecolt shouted at me again and moved toward me, the second one stopped him and told him it was alright. He bumped me as he left and I looked at the second colt as he lifted his helmet.

“Bruno?”

“Well, I’ll be. It is you, Shadow! What’re you doing back in town?”

He turned me and led me out of the room. I looked around for Rainbow in the hallway, assuming she’d gone back down stairs. Bruno and I walked slowly down the hall as the other firecolt used a radio to call for backup.

“Did you know that one, Shadow?” His voice was serious.

“No. I was staying down the hall and smelled the smoke. You know me, I can’t just leave without investigating.” He nodded without smiling or laughing.

“Then what are you doing in town?”

“Looking for you, actually. Well, not only you. I’m looking for three fillies that ran here from Ponyville and was wondering if you’d seen them.”

“I sure have, Shadow!”

“Really? I thought that would’ve been a long shot.”

“Well, then you’ll love what I’ve got in store for you.”

We walked down into the lobby and I saw what he had meant. Right in front of us stood, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Applebloom. I blinked twice to make sure the smoke in my eyes wasn’t playing tricks on me.

There they were, working with Bruno as a part of the fire crew. Applejack had seen them immediately upon coming downstairs and was now taking the time to show her sister some love. The punishment would come later.

“Bruno, you’re my favorite pony in this whole city right now.”

He laughed heartily and headed to the Crusaders.

“Well, girls, it seems like you’ve found your rightful owners, so I’ll be taking me leave now. You three stay out of trouble.”

“We will, Mr. Drop! Thank you!”

I walked to Applejack who was messing Applebloom’s hair and the Captain.

“Well, I guess we’d best be getting you three back to Ponyville.”

“Ah’d sure like to, Shadow. These three have given me enough of an adventure for today.”

“Aw, Applejack, we barely even went anywhere.” Applebloom smiled and hugged her sister.

I looked around the lobby noticing all were present except one.

“Where’s Rainbow?”

“Didn’t she stay with you?” The Captain asked.

“Yea, but I thought she’d come down here after..” I caught myself. “You guys stay here, I’ll go find her.”

They nodded and moved to sit on the furniture in the lobby while I turned back upstairs and headed to the room.

I leaned into the room and found Rainbow curled on the bed. She looked pale.

“Rainbow,” I said, softly.

She muttered something in response but I couldn’t hear her. I joined her on the bed and laid in front of her. She immediately wrapped herself around me and sobbed lightly into my shoulder. I held her softly and let her cry.

“Who would do that?” She finally asked quietly.

“I don’t know, Dash. There’s a lot of evil in this world.”

“But why? What would anypony do to deserve that?”

I wished that I had the answer to her questions but some things could never be answered. I simply held her tighter, feeling her shiver against me.

“I love you, Dash.”

Her response was mumbled because of her face in my shoulder but she said it all the same, “I love you, too.”

We stayed like that for about ten minutes when Applejack walked in silently.

She could hear Rainbow Dash still sobbing into my chest and spoke softly, “Ah don’t mean to interrupt but if we’re gonna get home we’d best do it soon. The last train leaves tomorrow morning and there won’t be another ‘til next week.”

I looked up from Rainbow. “Alright, AJ. We’ll be downstairs in a few and get you guys headed home.” I squeezed Rainbow Dash and spoke more to her than Applejack, “All of you.”

Applejack left just as quietly as she had entered and left us alone again.

“I don’t want to go home.” Rainbow had found her voice.

“What?”

“I don’t want to go home. I need to go to Marelantis with you. If I go home now, my boring job with the weather will give me too much time to think about this. I want to stay busy.”

“Dash, that’s not what..”

“I’m not going home.” Her voice was forceful but still timid.

“Okay, Dash. We’ll go find Marelantis together," I said softly.

We rose slowly and made our way downstairs, where we were met with some bad news.

Chapter 4

Rainbow and I walked over to Applejack and the Crusaders who were waiting on one of the small couches in the lobby.

“Where’s the Captain?” I asked.

“One the receptionist said they had somethin’ they needed to talk to him about. She looked scared,” Applejack explained.

“Okay, you guys wait here, I’ll grab him and then we can take a walk to the train station.” I gave a forced smile to them and made my way over to the Captain, who was standing at the front desk with the receptionist and a policecolt.

The receptionist stopped short in her sentence as I walked up and the policecolt moved to intercept me.

“He’s alright, officer. He’s a private detective and a friend who was with me when all this went down,” the Captain said. The policecolt and I traded nods and then I took a few steps toward the counter. “Please continue.”

“Well, I knew he wasn’t the real,” she paused and gestured at me, “him because he didn’t ask for the Captain. He asked for you by your real name. So I gave him the number of a room that was empty. Well, it was supposed to be empty…” She broke down into tears and the policecolt took his turn to speak.

“The man in the room that caught fire was the owner of the hotel. He likes to stay in the room without his staff knowing so he can gauge how well they do at keeping things clean, security, things like that. Apparently, it’s the same room that this mare gave to” he paused and gestured at me also,” him.”

“Excuse me, but why do you keep pointing at me like that?”

The Captain turned and lowered his voice so only I could hear him, “The colt who asked for me looked exactly like you and they expect the same one that started the fire. And since I was lying awake on the floor for most of the night, your alibi is pretty air tight. They’re thinking there’s a changeling in town and he’s after me.”

I stared at him in disbelief. I hadn’t seen a changeling in since the royal wedding. I’d protected a group of ponies in a café when they had attacked Canterlot and knew they thrived on love but my mind couldn’t grasp why one would be after the Captain.

“All the more reason for us to hurry, then. The last train leaves in the morning. We need to put the girls on it and then figure out what this changeling is after.”

“Well, he’s after me, Shadow. Seems like the best plan would be for me to leave town. And since the ship is already packed and the crew already aboard then we can simply set sail a day early.”

“Fine with me. Let’s get to the train station and get the girls headed home.”

Suddenly the radio on the policecolt’s shoulder cracked to life. It was unintelligible to us but he mumbled something back into it and received a quick response.

“Afraid, the train station is out of the question, sir. Apparently, that hotel room wasn’t the only fire that’s been set tonight. The whole station has been burnt to the ground.”

“Well, looks like our voyage just added a few more passengers,” the Captain spoke cheerfully, despite somepony’s obvious attempt to keep him in town.

I looked at the Captain, somberly. “We may have to postpone, Captain. I’m not willing to take Applejack and the Crusaders on a trip like this.”

“Well, why don’t you let them decide that?” He pointed behind me and I saw Rainbow, Applejack and the Crusaders walking up to us.

“Let us decide what?” Applejack asked, plainly.

I took a deep breath. I hated having to tell the truth all the time so I opted to tell only half the story. “The train station’s been burnt down and the Captain needs us to set sail tomorrow. The only option is for you four to come with us.”

The eyes of the Cutie Mark Crusader lit up. They would have no problem getting on that ship. Applejack, on the other hoof, looked worried. She had just wanted to get the girls and then return home. A voyage that could last months was not something she could manage. Being gone from the farm for more than a few days was a challenge for her, now she was staring a long and unexpected vacation in the face with few ways out.

“Ah don’t know, Shadow. Ah can’t leave the farm fer that long. Big Mac an’ Granny Smith will be needin’ me for harvestin’ and ah don’t think the girls should be going on such a dangerous trip.”

Applebloom stepped forward from the Crusaders. “Aw, come on, AJ! You always say how nice a vacation would be. And Uncle Red and Uncle Golden will be there next month fer their visit, I’m sure they’d stay ta help harvest.”

Applejack shot Applebloom a look but the look on her sister’s face actually seemed to convince her. “Aw heck, ah guess a little vacation wouldn’t hurt so much. But we should really write to them and ask them to stay instead of just assumin’ they will.”

“I can take down a letter and have it mailed when the dragon comes in.”

“Well, that’s mighty kind of ya.” Applejack, with the Crusaders in tow, went to write a letter to the Delicious twins.

I looked at Rainbow Dash after they were out of ear shot. “You sure you’re okay with coming? I’ll walk back to Ponyville right now if you don’t feel up to it.”

She smiled at me. “That’s sweet but don’t be stupid. Besides, with the train out I’d just be waiting around to leave. Ponyville’s a bit out of my reach with these old wings. Like I said before, I’d rather be with you.”

I turned back to the Captain. “I guess it’s settled then. We’ll all be going.”

“Excellent! As soon as they’re done with the letter we can head down to the docks and be ready to go by sun up. Though I think the crew will be a few ponies short. The last two were set to arrive the same day you were.”

“Oh, I can get replacements. Who’re we missing?”

“Well, one was just a deck hand so anypony will do. The other was the captain of the fire crews.” He glanced at the clock on the wall. “Where’re you going to find replacements at one in the morning?”

“Clearly you’ve lost touch with how good I am.” I glanced at the door of the hotel to see Bruno making his way toward the stairs again. “Hey Bruno! You want a fire chief job on a ship?”

“Depends. How’s the pay?”

“Pay’s great, buddy.”

“Deal.” He turned, took off his fire hat and handed it to the nearest firefighter. “Tell the chief I quit.”

I smirked and glanced back at the Captain. “See? One down, one to go and I might even be able to kill two birds with one stone. Hey Bruno!”

He’d made his way over to us by now. “What’s up, boss?”

“Don’t call me boss. Do you know where Two-tone lives?”

“Sure do. Just up the street from here.”

I laughed looked back to the Captain once again. “Just batting a thousand right now! I’m on fire!” Before I could enjoy a victory dance I was doused by a bucket of cold water. “What was that!?”

I looked at a young colt wearing a too large for him fire hat. “Sorry, sir. I’m new and you yelled that you were on fire.”

The Captain, Bruno and Rainbow Dash all got a good laugh at my expense as I shook myself out.

“Don’t worry about it, kid.”

Applejack and the Crusaders returned from writing their letter.

“What happened to you, Shadow?” Applejack asked, sincerely.

“Just a little instant karma. Hey girls, you know Bruno, right?”

They had yet to notice that their resident protector was standing in our small circle now.

“Mr. Drop!” they shouted in unison as we all cringed.

“Hi girls.” He smiled at them like an old friend. He had a way with fillies that I would never understand.

“Alright, let’s get down to business. Bruno, would you escort Applejack and the girls to the docks, along with the Captain? Rainbow Dash and I will head to pick up the final member of our crew and meet you down there.”

“Sure thing.”

The girls and Applejack followed him out the door of the hotel but the Captain lingered.

“Don’t do anything stupid before you head down to the docks. Go get Two-tone and hurry down to us.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll be fine.” The Captain turned to catch up to Bruno and the girls.

Rainbow Dash and I slowly followed, letting them have a hefty lead on us and we couldn’t even see them by the time we hit the street. I turned us down the road and we began a slow walk.

“Why did the Captain tell us to be careful? We’re just walking down the street.”

I took a moment to explain to Rainbow Dash the part I hadn’t told Applejack.

“A changeling? Here? That’s nuts, we beat them all at the royal wedding.”

“Yea, but where did they go? Just flying off into the distance. They had to regroup at some point.”

“I don’t know. You’d think they’d just attack us if there were a bunch of them working together. When one changeling is after you he uses more sneaky tactics. Trying to find you in your hotel, setting the train station on fire so you can’t leave town. That sounds like something a single changeling would do.”

I gave her a befuddled looked.

“I read a book about them after the attack on the royal wedding. Twilight bragged for days that she’d influenced me to read more.” Dash rolled her eyes as she no doubt had when Twilight had made the claim.

“Well then I’m glad you’re with us. If we’re dealing with a changeling it’s nice to have an expert on board.”

“I’m no expert. And does that mean you weren’t glad to have me before?”

“Of course not. I was nervous before. Especially after what happened at the hotel. Now, with something to focus us both on, I think we’re more in our element.”

She nodded but didn’t speak as we approached Two-tone’s home.

I knocked softly not wanting to startle such a large stallion. I heard some rumbling inside and a loud crash followed by a string of curses. Rainbow stifled a laugh. As the door opened slowly we were met with a very groggy Two-tone.

“Shadow? Who are you? What’re you doing here?” He looked back and forth at Rainbow and I as he asked his questions.

“Two-tone, this is Rainbow Dash. My partner. We’re here to get you for our trip I promised you.”

“You said that would be next week.”

“Plans changed and we need to leave by morning. So if you want to come it has to be now.”

He nodded slowly as he stepped outside and closed the door. “Alright, Shadow. Let’s go.”

“Don’t you want to grab some supplies? A suitcase or something?”

“What for? This old house is the only thing I own in the world and I can barely afford that. It’s not like you need much for being a body guard anyway.”

I nodded and we began to walk back up the street, heading to the docks this time.

“How ya doin’, miss?” Two-tone nodded his head at Rainbow Dash, who nodded back. “Name’s Tony. Friend’s call me Two-tone. How’d you get hooked up with this shady colt?”

“What do you mean? Shadow’s not a shady pony,” Rainbow said as she gave me a look.

“He’s just joking. Always thought I was a shady colt because of my mane and my coat,” I shot Tony a look indicating he should shut up about my past then turned back to Rainbow, smiling.

Her raised eyebrow said she wasn’t impressed with my answer but she didn’t have time to question me further.

“Well, well, well, trying to get out of town tonight, are we?” We all stopped immediately and I turned to see my brother standing in front of us with two ponies that looked like Two-tone standing next to him.

“Hello, Broomtail.”

“Shadow, how could you drop in on me and just leave without saying good-bye? I’m hurt, brother.” I cringed as he called me that and I heard the shock in Rainbow’s voice.

“Brother?”

“Who said we’re leaving, Broomtail? We’re just taking a midnight stroll with Tony here.”

“That’s all I was doing as well. I found I missed having Tony around but why do I need him when I have these two?” He patted the two ponies standing next to him.

Rainbow spoke from behind me, “Two-tone, you don’t by any chance have two identical twin brothers, do you?”

“None my parents ever told me about. Those are changelings, little lady.”

“Oh, very good, Tony! You’re not nearly as dim as I thought. Unfortunately, I can’t allow the three of you to make it back to your destination. You see, Shadow’s not the only one in the family that gets hired to do work.”

“So you became a hitman? Mom and Dad spend their lives raising us to obey and uphold the law and you go and stomp all over that? They’d be disappointed, Broomtail.” I could see my words hit home as his nostrils flared and his eyes
filled with rage.

“End them.”

The Two-tone changelings rushed forward and Rainbow and the real Two-tone did with the same speed and intensity. I fired an energy shot at the changeling in front of Rainbow which sent it toppling and forced it to its form. It quickly recovered, taking flight and meeting Rainbow Dash in the air trading blows.

Tony met his opponent in the middle of the street. While the changeling looked like Two-tone, he didn’t have nearly the same physical strength and was quickly overcome with a few quick punches from Tony. He lifted the much lighter than himself changeling over his head and held him there.

“Get some distance from him, little lady.”

Rainbow looked down from the headlock she had on the changeling and saw what Tony was planning. She quickly kneed the changeling in the chin and pushed away from him. As Rainbow flew clear Tony threw with all his might, smashing the two changelings together as they fell from the sky in a heap.

“Nicely done, Shadow. I guess I’ll have to prepare a bit better for next time.” Broomtail turned and headed down a nearby alley, disappearing into the maze of back alleys that twisted its way through town.

Rainbow moved to give chase but I caught he tail in my teeth, holding her still.

“What are you doing? We have to go after him!”

I spit her tail from my mouth, “No we don’t, Rainbow. By the time we see him again we’ll be coming back from finding Marelantis. There’s nothing he could do between now and when we get to the ship.”

Rainbow landed next to me, again looking dissatisfied with my answer. “But he said he’d been hired to kill you. We’ll have to deal with it eventually.”

“Yes, we will. But not tonight,” I pointed to the sun beginning to rise over the horizon. “We’re behind schedule. Fly to the ship and tell them we’re on our way and to be ready to go when we get there.”

“But, Shadow…”

“No ‘buts’ Rainbow. Just go. Tony and I can handle ourselves for the quick run to the docks.”

Her eyes flashed with anger at my demands but she consented, flying off quickly before turning on a dime and landing before me once again, embracing me. “Be careful.” Like a flash she was gone again, only a rainbow colored trail visible in her wake.

I looked back at Tony who gave me a quick nod and we were off. Tony didn’t live too far from the docks but far enough that I was quite out of breath when we arrived.

I looked from ship to ship, wondering which the Captain had procured for us and finally spotted Rainbow circling the top of one, obviously on lookout for us. We rushed to the ship and up the gangway, knocking it off and onto the docks as we boarded. That was all the other ponies had been waiting for as the cast the mooring lines into the water and we felt ourselves begin to drift out into open water.

Two-tone and I made our way up to where the Captain steered the ship carefully out of the bay while whistling a quiet sailing to himself.

“Glad you finally made it, Shadow. Tony! I haven’t seen you in ages! Are you our last sailor?”

“You betcha. I couldn’t let Shadow here head out on a grand adventure without me.”

The Captain laughed, “Well, we’re happy to have you! Go find Anchor Light. He’s got a blue coat and dark blue mane with a sky blue streak in it, large Anchor as his cutie mark. You’ll be on his team.”

Tony gave a joking salute and said, “Aye, Captain,” before trotting off.

After he had gone the Captain gave me a glance. “How bad is it?”

I looked at him quizzically, “How bad is what?”

“Well, when your girlfriend came back she just started shouting that we have everything ready to cast off when you got here. You wouldn’t have told her to do that unless something was up. So how bad are we talking?”

I sighed. “Broomtail’s gone into ‘The Business.’ And he’s after me. We’ll need to keep out eyes on the horizon. Knowing him he’ll have a ship in the water before the day’s out.”

“Well, then it’s a good thing the only ship I could afford was an old warship. She’s not the fastest and she’s past her prime but she can still hold her own in a fight. I’ll tell Black Powder to keep the canons below deck loaded and in place.” The Captain gave the wheel a mighty turn as we headed into deeper waters. “We’re officially underway, Shadow. Oh, and you might want to see to Applejack in the Captain’s Quarters. She started to look green around the gills the moment she stepped aboard so I sent her there to rest.”

I smiled to myself and nodded. “Sure thing. I’ll find Black Powder and let him know too. Just got one thing to take care of first.”

I looked up at the crow’s nest and saw Rainbow Dash still circling it. I stepped away from the Captain and felt the familiar weightless feeling return to me for a moment, opening my eyes to the exquisite view the crow’s nest offered.

“Twilight would be proud of how easily you picked that one up, ya know?” Rainbow landed next to me in the nest.

“Well, she didn’t see all the time I ended up in a tree, did she?” We both chuckled, remembering all my failed attempts to perfect teleporting.

We sat in silence for a moment enjoying the view and each other’s company. Bridle Shores Bay was fading behind us and the only thing we could see in the distance was water. Flat and calm.

“It’s not actually flat, you know,” Rainbow said, as if reading my mind. “You can’t see it from the ground. You can’t even see it from up here. But when you get up high enough, you start to see it all curve down. Makes you feel really small when you think about it.” She spoke softly, staring at the horizon as if she had always been a sailor and had been long removed from her love of the ocean.

All I could do was smile. Finally glancing at her and speaking quietly, “You going to be okay up here?”

She smiled at the horizon, never taking her eyes off of it. “Yea, I think so. If I hadn’t been born a pegasus I would’ve been Equestria’s best sailor.”

“Don’t bet on it, missy!” The Captain shouted at us from below and we shared a laugh.

“Alright, Dash. I’m going to go check on Applejack; the Captain said she wasn’t feeling well.”

“Alright, I’m up here for the day. The Captain said I could take the day shift lookout position.” She turned and kissed me before I could teleport out. “Thanks for letting me come, Shadow.”

I smiled at the kiss, “My pleasure.”

She giggled as I teleported to the deck below, startling a few of the sailors.

“Sorry, folks.” None seemed to mind and they all went about their business and I headed to the Captain’s Quarters located right on the main deck.

As I entered I saw Applejack lying on a rather comfortable looking bed with a bucket next to her. I feared she may have been sick but she reassured me quickly.

“Just in case,” she mumbled as she stared at me.

I pulled up a chair and sat next to her.

“You alright, Applejack?”

“Oh, ah’ll be alright. Guess ah just haven’t grown my sea legs yet.” She smiled meekly.

I thought to back to an old book I’d read as a younger colt and remembered something that could help her. I extended my hoof to her.

“Come on. I know how to make you feel better.”

“Ah don’t know, Shadow. My stomach’s mighty upset.”

“Come on, AJ. Would I lie to you?” I winked at her.

She chuckled and grabbed my hoof, standing slowly. “Not that you could.”

I led her out onto the deck slowly. Holding her hoof the whole way. As we hit the sunlight she lowered her Stetson to block its bright rays. I led her over to some steps and eventually up to the ship’s wheel where the Captain had noticed us and took a moment to break from steering.

“What’re you doing, Shadow?”

“Remember, the first time we went sailing in a real boat and how sick it made me?” I lead Applejack up to the wheel.

“Yes, but.. Oooh!” He finally realized what I was doing.

“What? What’re we doing?” Applejack looked at the wheel, confused.

“Applejack. You’re going to steer the ship,” I said, plainly.

“Whoa there. Ah ain’t never steered a ship before and ah don’t think this is the time to start.” Applejack protested as I gently placed her hoof on the wheel.

“Trust me, AJ. Two of the best ways to keep from being seasick are to keep busy and stare at the horizon. Steering is a great way to do both of those.” I lifted her Stetson slowly and leaned into her, pointing over the ship and out to the ocean. “See the horizon way out there? Focus on that.”

Applejack raised her head and I saw her eyes move up the ship and then on to the horizon as her other hoof moved up to the wheel to steady herself. Almost immediately I saw some color return to her face.

She stared off for a moment more before saying softly, “Wow…”

“If you’re willing I’m sure the Captain would be happy to let you stay up here and steer for us.” I looked at the Captain as I spoke and he nodded happily.

“Ah’d sure like that.” Applejack spoke with the wonderment of a filly seeing Princess Celestia for the first time.

“Alright, Cap, you take good care of her,” I slugged his arm as I said that, walking past him, “I’m going to go finish making sure everything below deck is good to go.”

I moved quickly below deck bumping into the Cutie Mark Crusaders as I went.

“Are you girls staying out of trouble?”

“Yes, Shadow,” they answered in unison.

“We’ve been helping the cook get things sorted out in the kitchen,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Well, as long as you girls keep out of trouble I won’t confine you to your quarters.” I winked at them and they giggled. “Why don’t you three go up top and visit the Captain and Applejack at the helm? AB, you can see your sister become a full-fledged captain.”

Applebloom shot me a confused glance, “Huh?”

“Just go see them girls.”

They took off up the stairs and I yelled after them. “And stay out of trouble!”

“Aw.. They won’t hurt anything,” said a female voice behind me.

I turned to see a pony with a coat slightly darker than sea foam green and dark purple hair and similarly purple eyes. She smiled at me warmly.

“Hi. Name’s Aqua Illusion.” She shook my hoof quickly. “You must be the detective.”

“Shadow. It’s a pleasure. What do you do around here?”

“Oh, I’m the night manager. My husband, Anchor Light, is the day manager. I’m actually headed to the crew quarters right now.”

“Oh, can you wait just a minute then? I had planned on being on the night crew.”

She nodded happily. “Oh, sure. No problem.”

I turned and walked down to where the canons were, with Aqua in tow, and found my way over to Black Powder who ponies were affectionately calling Gunny. He noticed me walking up and gave a very trained salute.

“Sir! Gunnery Sergeant Black Powder on duty, sir!” He snapped to attention as he spoke.

Remembering a little military jargon I’d picked up long ago I said, “At ease, Gunny.” He visibly loosened up and looked at me. “I just need to give you a heads up. We might have some unexpected guests following us. The Captain wants to keep the canons loaded and ready to go.”

“Not a problem, sir.” He snapped off another salute and rather than telling him to relax, which I knew he would never do, I gave him a salute back, which he seemed to appreciate.

I turned to Aqua. “I’m all yours. Lead the way.”

We walked quickly through the ship and down one more deck to the crew quarters. One half of the ship was dedicated to the day shift, the other half to the night shift. I found a free bunk and settled in, letting myself drift off into some much needed sleep.

Chapter 5

Officer Berry picked me up from the ground.

“Sorry, Shadow. With the coal they use to power these trains that smoke can be pretty harmful.”

I coughed lightly, “Thanks, Officer Berry.”

We kept heading down the train cars, each one we passed looked to be in worse condition than the last. When Officer Berry slowed I looked around and what I saw forever imprinted on my mind. My father was laying half buried in debris. I rushed to him.

“Dad?” My voice wavered as I saw his eyes open slowly.

“Hey Shadow.” Even in what would be his final moments he smiled at me.

I looked around frantically, my mind beginning to race. “Dad, we’ve got to get you out of there. How are we gonna get all this stuff off of you?”

He coughed weakly. “Calm down, buddy. I’m not going anywhere. Just sit down and listen for a sec.”

My eyes began to water as I sat next to him. My voice was all but gone. “Okay, Dad.”

“You remember what I always told you, Shadow?”

I nodded as my tears began to flow. “Nothing worth having in this life comes easy.”

“That’s right. Now I want you to know something. After tonight, things are going to be a lot harder for you and your brother. You have to keep your head up and keep working hard, do you understand me?” I nodded and wiped my tears. “Good. Your mom and I worked hard to give you kids everything you would need and you’ve never disappointed us.

“I know you don’t have your cutie mark yet, son, but I know yours will fit you better than most. Whatever you find to be your true talent, you keep working to make yourself even better at it. You have a great amount of natural talent but that will only take you so far. You have to make sure you keep working to better yourself.” He shifted under the debris, groaning with pain.

“But what if everything goes wrong at once, Dad? What if life gets too hard for me to handle?”

He took my hoof in his. “Don’t be afraid to lean on your friends then. As much as you have to be strong, you can’t do everything alone. Lean on your friends when you need to and they’ll do the same. You keep each other moving forward.”

My crying had overtaken me. I could only nod and grasp his hoof as his grip on me loosened.

“I love you, Shadow.”

“I love you too, Dad.” My voice nearly inaudible as I held him tightly, but his grasp on me went soft. I pushed myself into his coat and just cried. I didn’t know what else to do. I wanted to just lay down and die next to him. I cried for what must have been fifteen minutes before I felt Officer Berry’s hoof on my shoulder.

“Come on, Shadow. I have to get you somewhere safe now.”

I resisted for a moment, trying to remain with my father but eventually consented and we went back to the carriage. I curled myself into a ball inside it and sat on the bench seat. My crying had stopped, for now. I was just out of tears. My heart ached. My head spun.

----------

“Shadow?”

The voice was familiar but cloudy. I roused slowly and found myself staring at the Captain. I looked around and recognized that it was nearly night time. I stared at him blankly for a moment as memories of my father lingered.

“Hey buddy, just wanted to know if you wanted some dinner before your shift. Cook’s not too much for midnight food.”

He spoke softly in the dimly lit room, not everyone was up and about yet. I wiped the sleep and tears from my eyes, hoping it was too dark for him to notice.

“Yea. Just let me get me wake up for a sec. I’ll meet you on deck and you can tell me where we’re headed.”

He nodded. “Alright, I’ll grab you a plate.”

He disappeared out the door and I noticed Aqua staring at me from across the room. I looked at the floor, hoping to avoid a conversation for the moment and took a few deep breaths to clear my mind. I needed to be on my best for sailing.

“Bad dream?” Aqua’s voice rose from her bunk but it didn’t sound unnecessarily loud.

I still gazed at the floor and nodded silently. I didn’t feel like talking to anyone, let alone someone I’d just met.

“That’s a good sign. The dreams, I mean. It means the memories you’re reliving won’t leave you for a long time.”

I spoke softly but clearly, still staring at the floor, “Well, what if I want to forget?”

“No one wants to forget anything. Not really. You might think you do. But you might also find that when that part of you is gone, you can never figure out what made you who you are today. It’s our whole lives that shape us. Our memories are simply there to remind us of all the things that had a real impact.” She spoke plainly and sweetly.

Her logic was not necessarily flawed but I felt it was naïve, though I was in no mood to argue with her.

“I guess you’re right,” I said, as I made my way out of the bay.

I loathed each step I had to take to get to the main deck. My body ached and my muscles were sore. Yesterday’s running around had finally caught up to me. I felt old and out of shape.

As I opened the door from below deck I welcomed the gentle sea breeze in my mane. The fresh air did me good and I was happy to have chosen the night shift. The cool night air suited me far better than the hot sunny days. Twilight joked that it was because I had a crush on Luna for saving me once before.

I looked up at the crow’s nest and saw Rainbow Dash still in place, though she appeared to be eating from a plate. Somepony must have brought her dinner. I whistled up to her and she waved down before going back to her meal.

Moving up to the wheel I greeted the Captain and was surprised to see Applejack still in place behind the wheel. Sitting in a chair the Captain had procured for me I ate slowly as he explained our route. Explaining exactly where we had come from, where we were currently, and where we wanted to be. We were making good time; the wind had been at our backs the entire way it seemed.

“So how’s she doing?” I asked through a mouthful of food, motioning to Applejack.

“She’s a natural. If she’d found boating before apples I guarantee she’d have a different cutie mark,” the Captain said, smiling widely. “She took to steering like a professional, and she can read a map better than most graduates of boating school.”

“Aw, shucks, Skip. Ah don’t know about all that. But ah sure do like it out here. Somethin’ peaceful about it. Like sleeping under an apple tree. It just feels right.” Applejack spoke as she stared at the horizon. She’d clearly found a new love in boating.

I looked at the Captain and spoke under my breath to Applejack couldn’t hear, “Did she just call you Skip? You don’t let anyone do that. Not even me.”

“Well, you’re not nearly as pretty as her.”

He winked at me and we both chuckled. It was nice to be back in friendly company and I rose from my chair.

“Guess I gotta go see my lady before I take over for you, AJ.”

“Take your time, sugarcube.”

I teleported up to Rainbow, who didn’t even bat an eye when I appeared next to her.

“Hey. See anything exciting today?”

“Nothing but a lot of water. Where were you all day? I thought we would have lunch together. I had to get the Captain to bring me a sandwich.” She looked mad but she was mostly hurt. She knew I wasn’t the type to just flake out on ponies.

“I’m going to be on the night shift. When the Captain has to turn in for the night, I’m going to be taking over for him.”

“You can steer this thing?” Her look of surprise made me chuckle. “I thought you hated water.”

“I do. That’s why I learned how to sail. It keeps me out of the water. Besides, after all the years I spent with the Captain I better know a thing or two. I’m not the best in the world, mind you, but I know my way around a ship.”

“Well, I wish you had told me. I would’ve volunteered to be on nights with you.”

“I’m sorry, Dash. But you found a good spot for yourself up here I thought you’d just be happy to work. Besides, we don’t need a night look out, since there’s nothing to see so it makes sense for our pegasus to be up here.”

She considered my statement and let her feelings pass. “I guess you’re right. But do you mind if I hang out with you a little tonight? I kinda missed you today.” Her voice trailed off on that last part but I let it go.

“Sure Dash. When the sun dips under the water you’re officially off duty. I’ll be at the helm all night so you know where to find me.” I gave her a quick kiss and teleported back down to the Captain and Applejack.

“Alright, AJ, I’m officially relieving you of steering duties,” I said in a faux announcement voice.

She relinquished the wheel but only after a bit of disappointment. “Ah reckon it would be a good time for some shuteye.”

“You and the girls are welcome to sleep in the Captain’s Quarters. I’ve already taken up a bunk down below,” the Captain said.

“That’s mighty kind of ya but ah can’t kick ya out of yer own bed.”

“Nonsense. You and the girls aren’t used to this kind of trip and it would be rude of me to force you below deck. Take it with my blessing.”

I rolled my eyes as I listened to him.

“Well, thank ya, Skip. I reckon you’re about the nicest pony ah’ve met in a long time.”

With that, Applejack crossed the ship and we saw her enter the Captain’s Quarters.

“Don’t hit on her too hard, buddy. She’ll buck you if she gets the wrong idea.”

“Buck?”

“She’ll ruin your day. And probably the mast of the ship.”

“Oh. Not to worry, though. I’ve been nothing but a gentlecolt to her. She really is quite the sailor. By the time we find
Marelantis and turn around you may have to fight her for the right to steer at night.”

We laughed but I knew he was telling the truth. The Captain was an excellent teacher to those willing to learn. Applejack had clearly been willing, as had I, in the beginning. Everything I knew I’d been taught by the Captain. And if Applejack was progressing that quickly then she’d definitely make a fine captain herself.

I waved good night to the Captain, as he made his way below deck, and was soon after joined by Rainbow Dash. Our conversation was light hearted. We spoke of what we wanted to see when we got to Marelantis, what were mermares like, and everything in between. I could tell Rainbow had something on her mind because she kept staring at me. She was simply working up the courage to ask.

“How come you never told me about your brother?” She looked away after she asked and I stared off to the horizon.

“He and I have a complicated past.” I trailed off, not quite knowing how to tell this story. Rainbow finally looked at me and her eyes gave me confidence. “Did I ever tell you how I got my cutie mark?”

She looked confused for a moment before finally shaking her head and letting me tell my story.

“When I was just a filly, both my parents died. I was able to speak to my father but my mother died in the hospital on my way there. By the time anyone had told my brother they were already dead. I don’t know why but he always seemed to hate that I got to speak to my father before he passed. I don’t know if it was jealousy or just anger at the loss of our parents, but he seemed to hold me responsible.

“We’d been staying with a friend of our parents for a while when one day we woke up and found that he’d run away in the night. I remember feeling like the whole thing was my fault. My fault that he’d run away. After losing my parents he was all I had and when he ran away it broke my heart even further.

“I decided to go look for him. I found out from his friends that he’d been talking about going to Bridle Shores Bay because that was as far as he could afford to go. So I followed him. I ran away too. When I finally got to the city I got hopelessly lost. No one wanted to listen to a filly. Not even one who was looking for his brother and all alone. I started to think I would never find him. And then I met Daisy.”

“Who’s Daisy?”

“The very same mare that helped me find my brother when we were in Bridle Shores. She helped me way back then too. Gave me a warm bed to sleep in for the night and the next day she gave me a direction to look for my brother. With her help, I found him. I found him in the same bar that I found him in yesterday.

“He was sitting in a back room and talking to a bunch of other colts. I heard him say that he felt better in Bridle Shores. That he only had a blank-flank brat of a baby brother to go home to and that he could care less about me.

“I left the bar after I’d heard that. I didn’t want to see him anymore. I didn’t want him in my life. When I walked away, that was when my cutie mark showed up. Just a little detective’s hat. I figured out my special talent was finding people who didn’t want to be found.

“That’s why I never told you about him.” I looked down to see Rainbow asleep on the deck next to me. I could only smile at her.

I whistled down to Aqua and in a hushed voice asked her to bring me a blanket. As she came up the stairs she saw Rainbow and instinctively put the blanket over her. I gave her a nod and she went back to her duties.

As I stood and steered the ship I suddenly saw the image of myself flash in my mind. I looked down to see Rainbow Dash curling into the blanket and smiling. Awake or not, she had heard my story and she understood. I smiled down at her as we sailed onward into the night.

Chapter 6

Rainbow Dash never rose from my side the whole night. The next morning the Captain appeared on deck bringing two plates of food with him; he gave me one and set the other in front of Rainbow as he went to retrieve a third for himself.

I roused Rainbow but as soon as she smelled the food she was wide awake. She sat up and stretched as she reached for the plate of food and began to eat quietly.

The Captain reappeared this time with his own breakfast and we discussed our position and distance to Marelantis. We were no more than another day away; the wind had carried us much faster than we ever intended.

“I figure by tomorrow morning we’ll be able to drop anchor and make contact with the Marelantians,” the Captain said, through a full mouth.

“How are we going to do that? Make contact, I mean. Do they just see the ship floating and come up to say hi? That doesn’t quite seem like their style.” My skepticism was hard to hide.

The Captain simply laughed. “It’s not as easy as all that. Let’s just say I’ve got a few tricks to show you once we stop.”

I shook my head. “Look, I’d really like an explanation on this one. We don’t exactly still have proof. Applejack’s word is one thing but…” I was interrupted by a splash on the port side of the ship. The Captain and I rushed to the edge of the ship.

“Aqua! Did someone just go overboard!?” the Captain yelled.

“No, Captain! That wasn’t a pony. That was a cannon.”

“We lost a cannon!?”

“Not us, Captain. Them.” She pointed off into the distance and we saw the broad side of a ship.

“Son of a…” We all ducked as we heard the whiz of another cannonball fly overheard.

“Skip, take the ship. I’ve got the crew. Bring us about!” I moved for the stairs but stopped short. “Rainbow, no heroics. Stay up here with the Captain.” I headed down the stairs knowing she’d never listen to me.

As I reached the main deck I saw Applejack open the door to the Captain’s Quarters. “What in tarnation’s goin’ on out here!?”

“We’ve got company, AJ. Keep the girls safe in there. We’ll handle this.”

She nodded and closed the door. I knew she’d be alright. The Captain was too good to let us get his but I prayed they didn’t get lucky.

I headed down below shouting the whole way. “All hands on deck! Ready the cannons! Wake up ponies! We’ve got work to do!” I turned at the bottom of the stairs and rushed for the firing bays.

“Shadow! The guns are up, we’re just waiting for a clear shot. But these guns don’t have the range theirs do. We’re going to need to get close.” Gunny called from the back of the bay.

I stopped short and gave him a nod. I really had to hand it to him. These ponies knew what to do when it all hit the fan. I turned back toward the sleeping quarters to make sure everyone was up and ran into the one pony I was hoping I would.

“Bruno! Get up on deck and into the Captain’s Quarters. Your only job right now is to keep those girls safe.”

“You got it, boss.”

We turned for the stairs back to the main deck and ducked together as we heard the cannons let loose with their first salvo. The smell of sulfur filled my nostrils and I breathed out hard to avoid sneezing.

“Guess we’re in for a real fight.”

“You said it. Just focus on keeping the Crusaders safe. This will get ugly.”

We both rushed out onto the main deck and Bruno went for the Captain’s Quarters and I saw Applejack nearly slug him.

“AJ, get out here, we’re gonna need you! Bruno can protect the girls!”

Once again, Applejack didn’t protest and rushed to me.

“What’s the plan, Shadow?”

I glanced at the ship off our port side and looked back at Applejack. “Blow them out of the water, however we can. Head up to the Captain and he’ll fill you in. Send Rainbow down to me. I’ve got a plan.”

Applejack nodded and took off as I helped everyone on deck get ready.

“What do you need, boss?”

“Don’t call me boss. Meet me in the crow’s nest.” I teleported and immediately Rainbow joined me. “We won’t beat them in a fair fight. They’ve got a little weight on us. So we’re going to play dirty. I want you to fly as close to the ocean as you can and circle their ship; if we can get the caught in a whirlpool that would solve all our problems. If they see you, I want you to come back here. And we’ll think of something else.”

Rainbow gave me a salute and did a backflip as I watched her fly overboard and skim the ocean. I heard the cannons fire below me and watched Rainbow move farther out to avoid the cannons as several splashes hit the water in front of her.

I watched the enemy ship begin to turn again to take another shot at us and began concentrating, my horn glowing a dull gray. I waited until I heard the booms from their cannons and focused harder trying to grab one of the cannonballs as it flew. I got lucky as one flew past the crow’s nest. I grabbed it and reversed the momentum on it, launching it back at the enemy ship.

I looked below me as I heard Aqua shouting orders to others and watched everyone scramble to the edge of the deck. As one, they all untied a bit of cloth that had been rolled up all along the sides of the ship. I knew it had to have rolled down but couldn’t understand why they’d done it.

Teleporting to the main deck I stopped Aqua and asked her what they were doing.

“My name’s not Aqua Illusion for nothing. That’s camouflage. They’re going to have a hard time seeing us, let alone hitting us.”

“What about our cannons?”

“Oh there’re holes in it. Might not look perfect but we can still shoot just fine.”

I nodded appreciatively. “Genius.”

“Thank you. I think you have a visitor.” She pointed above and behind me and I turned to see Rainbow with some slightly singed hair.

“Yea, they spotted me,” she said, looking miffed that her hair was burnt. “So now what?”

“Well, with this camo up we can get in closer than I ever expected.” I paused to think for a moment before it finally clicked. “Captain! Get us next to them! AJ and I are going to board that ship!”

“What!? Why!?” He shouted down without looking as he did his best to navigate.

“We’re going to ruin their day!” I smirked at him as he finally looked at me and nodded.

Applejack came down to the main deck. “Did y’all just say we’re gonna board that ship?”

“Yes I did, Applejack.”

“Well, what the heck to ya expect me to do over there?”

“What you do best. I want you to pretend their mast is one really big apple tree.” I smiled broadly at her as I watched the wave of realization hit her.

“Let’s do it, sugarcube.”

“How come she gets to do the dangerous stuff?” Rainbow shouted, fake pouting.

“Well, she can kick down a tree. You and I can’t do that.” I gave her a wink as the Captain brought us about lining us up along their side. “Ready, AJ?”

“Ah guess.”

I stood next to Applejack and felt the all too familiar weightlessness wash over me. When I opened my eyes we were staring back at our own ship with our backs to a giant mast. They hadn’t seemed to notice us arrive, they were scrambling to get ropes to swing to our ship.

“They haven’t noticed us, Applejack. Do your thing.”

She looked at the mast and back at me. “This is gonna take a few kicks. They’ll notice us before it starts comin’ down.”

“That’s why I’m here. Do your thing.”

Applejack turned and gave the mast a mighty kick. As soon as she did a few crew members finally took notice of us and looked none too happy. They began to circle us and Applejack kicked again. A few splinters fell from the mast as my horn began glowing again. Applejack kicked again and a black sphere formed over Applejack and I as one of the crew members jumped at us. He hit the wall of the sphere and slid to the deck. Applejack kicked again as another stallion kicked at my shield.

“This is it, last one!”

“Do it.”

Applejack gave one final kick and we heard a loud crack as I closed the bubble around Applejack and I, teleporting us back to our ship. I looked up as we landed and noticed we’d been kicking the wrong side. The mast was going to fall off of their ship but onto ours.

“Captain! Get us out of here!”

“Already on it.”

Applejack, Rainbow Dash and I watched as the mast began to fall almost as if in slow motion.

“No time,” Rainbow said from behind me and I watched her zip up to the top of the mast, pushing for all she was worth to keep it from falling on us.

As we cleared the other ship another unicorn from the other ship began firing magical shots at Rainbow Dash. I watched with horror as one of them hit home and I watched Rainbow go limp and tumble into the water, the mast crashing in behind her.

“No!” I ran to the stern of the ship and my hooves carried me over the railing and into the water. I swam hard as I saw the mast sinking quickly looking for any sign of Rainbow Dash.

The sea water burned my eyes and my lungs began to burn but I spotted her at last, sinking slower than the mast but still faster than I could swim. I didn’t care. I pushed myself on. Farther and farther down, chasing her pale blue form as she sank.

Finally my mind clicked and I charged my horn once again and teleported to her side, grabbing her tightly and pushing for the surface. I’d pushed my limits too far though, I didn’t have enough air left to make it to the surface, I charged my horn again as my lungs screamed for oxygen. My spell fizzled and darkness clouded my vision.

I held Rainbow close as I fell into unconsciousness.

Chapter 7

I’ve never found an adequate way to describe how it feels to wake up when you think you’re dead. Rainbow once told me she felt like she’d been reborn. I was mostly confused.

I moaned softly as I lay in the bed. Once I realized that I wasn’t dead I sat up quickly. My head began to pound and I made a note to move slower.

I looked around the dimly lit room, and noticed Rainbow lying in the bed next to me. I slowly got to my feet and walked over to her, shaking her gently.

“Rainbow? Are you okay?”

I got mumbles in response, a hoof swatting at me, and a request for five more minutes. She was fine.

I left her in the bed and began to explore the room. It didn’t look unlike my home back in Ponyville.

Did I dream this whole thing?

If you did, that’s one heck of a dream.

My pounding head wasn’t making it easy to rationalize where I was. Suddenly, the light in the room came up and forced me to cover my eyes.

“You shouldn’t be out of bed.” I felt a hoof on my shoulder pushing me back toward my bed.

“Wait. Who are you? Where are we?” I stumbled toward the bed trying to make out who was pushing me.

“Just lay down. You and your partner have been through a lot and you need your rest.” The hoof kept pushing at me.

I finally lost my patience and swatted the invading hoof away. “I don’t want to lay down! I want to know where we are, who you are, and what we’re doing here!” I shouted and through squinted eyes I saw a light green mare had taken a step away and looked rather scared.

“Look at the big stallion shouting at the lady.” The voice came from the doorway. I opened my eyes more fully to see an orange colt leaning against the door frame. “You okay, Coral?”

The light green pony nodded.

I sighed, frustrated with the lack of answers I was getting. “Look, I’m sorry but I just woke up in a strange place after thinking I was dead and then you come in here pushing me back to bed without offering any answers. I feel fine; I just want to know where we are.”

“I doubt you feel fine,” said the orange colt in the door, “You’re in Marelantis, and the shock of going from the surface to this depth is going to do a number on you. I’ll bet your head is pounding more now than it ever has.”

I struggled to focus on his words and felt myself wobble. The pounding in my head had grown intense.

“Just lay down and trust Coral here. She’ll take care of you and make that ache go away. But if you want to continue to stand and shout and eventually die from the pressure, then we can let that happen to.”

The light green pony shot him a look like she would never let that happen as she moved toward me. “Please, I’m a doctor. I only want to help you. Rest and we’ll explain everything when your body can handle it.”

I more fell onto the bed rather than lie down but I passed out again.

----------

“Do you think Marelantis exists?” Skip asked the question quietly as we sat on the banks of the Highland Reservoir, watching the moon rise.

“I don’t know. My dad always said that anything is possible. But Marelantis has been lost for a long time, Skip.”

He rolled onto his side as he spoke, “That’s just it. Everyone just says it’s lost. Not gone. It’s not like it got destroyed, everyone just forgot where it was. I think it exists.”

I lay on my back and thought about what he said. “Makes sense. What will you do when you find it?”

“I don’t know. I guess I should tell everyone about it. It’d be a great discovery. I’d like to live there if I could.”

“How would you live there if the whole place is underwater?”

“I’m sure there’s a way. Some kind of spell or something.”

I chuckled at him. “Well, if you ever find it come tell me first. I’d like to be in on the discovery.”

“But you hate sailing!”

“So? Marelantis is a big deal. I could put my distaste of water behind me for that. So what do you think it looks like?”

“I don’t know. I can’t imagine anything like that.”

I sat up and looked at him. “My mom told me once to never stop imagining. Because the day you do that is the day you die.”

He sat up next to me and nodded. “Your mom was a smart lady.”

“Yeah. She was,” I said softly before standing and stretching. “Come on. You’ve got boating exams in the morning and I’ve got work to do if I’m going to get my detective’s license.”

He fell in step beside me and spoke quietly. “I’m sorry about your parents, Shadow.”

“Me too.”

----------

I woke to Rainbow shaking me. “Shadow. Shadow, wake up!”

I sat up quickly again, this time my head did not begin to throb. “Rainbow? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine but we have to get out of here.” She spoke softly but with force.

“What? Why?”

“Because these guys are pirates! I heard them talking about our ship and how it was dead in the water and how they were going to have to ‘take care’ of it. Our plan to take down their mast didn’t work!” She looked panicked.

“Rainbow, what’s the last thing you remember before waking up here?”

“The mast of that pirate ship coming down and hitting ours. I must have been hit by something and knocked out.”

“No. It didn’t hit our ship. You stopped it. You saved our ship, but somepony on the pirate ship hit you with a magic bolt. You fell into the water with the mast. I guess these guys saved us.”

“But how did you get here?”

“You don’t expect me to let you drown without trying to save you, do you?”

“But then who are these guys?”

“Marelantians.”

Rainbow’s eyes grew wide as she began to process it all. She sat next to me on the bed, slowly. “Horse feathers…”

I chuckled softly at her. “Maybe we should take a walk and see if we can find someone to explain what happened.”

Her eyes still wide she nodded. “Yea. That’s a good idea.”

I took her hoof and led her off the bed and toward the door. As we came out we were in a long hallway. It looked not unlike a hospital.

“Oh! You’re both up!” The light green pony from my previous wake up ran up to us. “How’re you feeling?”

“Very well, thanks. Whatever you did really helped my head.”

“Just doing my job, sir.” She gave me a sweet smile, “So who are you two? We’ve never seen you around before.”

“Oh, my name is Shadow Chaser, and this is Rainbow Dash. We’re from Equestria.”

“Equestria? I haven’t heard that name in a long time.”

“Well, we don’t often hear Marelantis mentioned either. We used to, but you’ve all been lost to us for a long time.”

The light green mare led us out of the hospital and we got our first glimpse of what Marelantis really was. A slightly pink magical dome was overhead, not unlike the one Shining Armor had used to protect Canterlot during the changeling invasion. Rainbow Dash and I stopped and marveled at the sight of it. The ocean was held at bay by only a thin magic shield.

I turned to our friend, “This is how you all live here? Just a magical dome on the bottom of the ocean?”

She chuckled softly, “Oh no. This is just where we bring ponies that can’t breathe underwater. Beyond that barrier is the rest of Marelantis. It’s a very big city. But we always kept this magical barrier up just in case we get visitors. Which we do from time to time.”

Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow. “Visitors from where? Equestria hasn’t known where Marelantis is for hundreds of years.”

“Well, the world is much bigger than just Equestria, my little pony. We’ve seen ponies from Germaney, the Ibex Empire, and occasionally we even see some Zebricians.”

“Wow. How did they stay in contact and Equestrians not,” I asked.

“Well, Equestrians were always friendly and welcome but when Equestria got so big, they had little use for trading with us anymore. They have all the resources we have right at their hooftips. So why not trade among themselves and save some bits?

Admittedly, I think some ponies were bitter at the Equestrians. They felt like Equestrians only used us for what we had and didn’t appreciate our needs. Over time the feelings of bitterness fell away and ponies just got on with their lives.”

“Wow,” Rainbow Dash and I said in unison, still slightly overwhelmed with the fact Marelantis even existed.

As I stared out at the water, wondering if the magical shield was visible from the top, my mind found its way back to the Captain and the crew.

“Miss, did the pony that saved us happen to know what happened to our ship? They’ll be terribly worried about us.”

“I’m not sure, but if you follow that path behind you and head to the center of town you can find his office. He’s the captain of our search and rescue teams. Look for a building with a sign that says, “Solar Flare’s Search Team and Rescue Service.”

I nodded and thanked her as Rainbow and I headed down the path and into town. If I knew the Captain like I thought I did, he’d waste weeks searching for Rainbow and I. We needed to make sure they weren’t going to get intercepted by any more pirates. Especially not when Marelantis was this close.

“Solar Flare’s S.T.A.R.S.” Rainbow read the sign as we approached. “That’s really corny.”

“Well, corny or not, he saved us. We owe him a thanks and we could use his help finding the ship.” I knocked on the door.

“I wonder how these guys keep this dome up,” Rainbow Dash said, staring up at the pink bubble over our heads.

“I assume it’s like Shining Armor’s. They just have to recast the spell every once in a while to keep it there,” I offered.

“Seems like the one Shining Armor did took a lot of effort for him, and that was supposed to be part of his special talent.” She continued to marvel at the dome.

“Well, maybe their magic is just stronger than ours. The Marelantians have been around for a long time. So something like this would be easy for them.”

“I guess.” She squinted and I read her mind.

“Do not go touch it. You don’t know what that would do.”

She stuck her tongue out at me. “Spoil sport.”

I smiled at her and turned as I heard the door finally opening. “Ah, you must be Solar Flare.”

“That I am. How’re you two feeling?”

“Physically, fine. But we’re in a bit of a bind. We need to find our ship. If they don’t know we’re alive then they’ll search for us for weeks.”

“Wait just one second. Which ship did you two fall off of?” He eyed us suspiciously.

“Uh.. The one with the mast still attached.”

He visibly loosened but he still looked wary. “Alright, I’ll take you at your word, but don’t pull any funny business while you’re here.”

“Excuse me?” He spoke as if we were criminals.

“Come inside. I’ll explain.” We followed him inside and he showed us several boards full of pictures of ponies, all with name underneath and a number next to them.

“What’s all this?” Rainbow asked.

“This..” He paused for effect as he gestured to the boards, “is every pirate pony we know of.” I did a quick guess as to the number and realized there must’ve been about 50 ponies up there. “Each one is labeled with a number. That’s how we know which ship they’re on.”

My mind couldn’t grasp that one. “Wait. How do you know which ship is which number?”

“Because we numbered them,” he said, flatly.

“But, how? How could you do that without them knowing it? Surely, they would’ve seen you.”

“Ponies can’t see under their ship. So we added the numbers on the bottom of the hull of every confirmed pirate ship.”

I stared once again at the wall of fugitives. “Why is there no number one?”

“Number one exists but we’ve only labeled it. We don’t know anyone aboard the ship, though.”

“Why not?” Rainbow Dash asked from behind Solar.

“It’s a changeling ship. Anyone we ever captured never showed their true form so we couldn’t document it. Our government won’t allow us to just blow the ship, either. They’re the worst pirate scum on the oceans but we aren’t allowed to do a bubble poppin’ thing.”

“What makes them any different from other pirates?” Rainbow asked.

“And how would you blow up their ship?” I added.

“Well, normal pirates generally steal what they want and cast the other ship and its crew adrift. A murder here or there doesn’t bother them but they know if ponies get too scared to sail then their livelihood goes away. What makes changelings so different is that they don’t just want the food or jewels ships have. They want the ponies.

“Changelings thrive on sucking love and kindness from their victims. Whenever we find a ship that’s been attacked by changelings, the ship is ALL we find. They kidnap ponies and suck the life out of them. We’ve never found any survivors from changeling attacks. Even other pirates give them a wide berth.”

Rainbow and I sat silent for a moment. The realism of life lost was hard to listen to. When the moment seemed to have past Solar spoke again.

“Your ship is a bit of a hero right now.”

Rainbow and I exchanged looks and spoke together. “Huh?”

“You guys took out the number four ship on the seas right now. That would be, the fourth most vicious pirate crew. And your little warship took them down.”

“Well, that was mostly Applejack’s doing. Breaking the mast was all her,” I said.

“One pony did that!?” Solar’s jaw dropped slightly.

Rainbow chuckled. “Yep. Only the best apple bucker in all of Equestria.”

“You earth ponies sure make ‘em strong.”

Rainbow giggled again.

“Solar, not to be unappreciative of this little lesson, but we need to be getting back to our ship,” I said.

He shook himself of his wonderment. “Right. Well, that might be a bit of a problem.”

“Why? Did something happen to the ship?”

“No, but we haven’t seen your ship since we got you back here. Is it possible they would leave once they lost you?”

“Not in a million years. The Captain would wait until the very last second to stop the search. And if I hadn’t been there to jump off the boat to save Rainbow Dash, then Applejack would have. No. There is no way they just turned and went home.”

He sighed. “Well, then we’ve got to find them. I’ll gather my teams and send them out but if they’ve gone there’s not much we can do to get you back to Equestria.”

“Don’t worry. They’re still here.” My temper was beginning to flare so I headed out the front door. I heard him say something to Rainbow and then she joined me outside.

“He said he’s sorry.”

“Yea, well, he should be.”

“What’s your problem? It’s not like they actually would leave us here. And even if they were forced to go back to Equestria, Applejack would tell Twilight and they’d come back for us.”

“No, Rainbow. They would come for you. I’m just the colt that would be tagging along. Ponies have a habit of not caring about what happens to the detective that makes his living in the shadows.” My temper was not about to start simmering.

“What are you talking about!? My friends know how much I care about you and they consider you just as important as me or anypony else. We’ve all risked our lives to save one another before. This would be routine for them at this point!”

She was right but my anger was clouding my judgment. “Look! I’ve been abandoned a lot in my life and I know the feeling and the fact that they haven’t seen that ship since we got here makes it pretty clear. They counted their losses and moved on!”

Rainbow’s expression changed to one of anger that I’d never seen before. She stepped close to me and spoke softly but more harshly than I thought she was capable. “My friends would NOT just leave us here. And if you think they would, then you don’t know them or ME like I thought you did.”

I stared into her eyes, they told me her anger was righteous and she felt very betrayed. She stepped away from me and turned her back. “Flare said to head for the closest wall of the dome. He’ll meet us there.” And then she was gone. She flew away from me faster than I’ve seen her fly in a long time. I could see a rainbow colored arc heading toward the dome wall.

Chapter 8

As I watched Rainbow leave, I felt my anger wash away, it was replaced by a new feeling. Regret. I’d always been a rock for Rainbow to lean against. I’d let my own experience with abandonment fuel my anger and my negativity. I cursed at myself as I began to walk in the direction Rainbow had flown.

This is what you get for never talking to anypony about your past.

That doesn’t matter. Rainbow knows my past.

Not all of it. Not about Skip.

There’s nothing to tell her about Skip.

Oh really? So him choosing the sea over a friend in need is nothing now? It wasn’t nothing back then.

Skip has always been there for me, when I really needed him. I can’t expect him to put his life on hold for every problem I have.

But this wasn’t a normal problem. You found your mother. He owed you enough to help you save her.

No. She was gone before I even found her.

Look at you. Still rationalizing the deaths of ponies you love. Rainbow really hasn’t changed you at all. You had the chance. All you needed was one other pony. And one pony was all you had. And he turned his back on you.

No.

Yes!

----------

“Please, Skip! This is important!”

“I know it is, Shadow, but so are my final exams! If I don’t pass this test I have to wait a whole ‘nother year to retake them!”

“But it’s my mom, Skip! She’s alive and I know where she is! But she’s in trouble.”

“So go get her! You’ve never had a problem handling anything before. Why would you need me now?”

“I…” My sentence stalled as I tried to think of a good reason. “I don’t know. I just want you to be there, in case I need the help.”

He put a hoof on my shoulder. “You’ll be fine, Shadow. You’re one tough colt. You’ve got a fire burning in you that drives you to greatness. And no thugs will ever be able to take that away from you.” I looked up at him and he stared me evenly in the eye. He was speaking from his heart. “Now go to Daisy’s house and take care of this in the morning. If my exams finish early, I’ll be there for you. But I know you can handle anything they can dish out.”

I nodded slowly and faked a smile for his sake. “Thanks, Skip. And good luck tomorrow.”

We parted ways and I made my way back to Daisy’s home. She’d already gone to bed so I took up the couch and struggled to find sleep. When I finally awoke at dawn I felt like I’d been hit by a carriage. This old couch had seen better days and it left me with a crick in my neck. I stretched myself out, mentally preparing for what I would need to do today.

Out of happenstance I’d found out my mother was alive. Not only was she alive but she was here in Bridle Shores Bay. But I still didn’t know why she had disappeared and what she had been after in Bridle Shores. I had quickly dismissed the idea of her abandoning me, she loved my brother and I too much to do that. So what had it been that forced her underground for all these years?

I made my way to the far side of town, being attentive to every detail of the day. No one was following me. No pony in the street gave me more than a glance. It felt like just another day.

As I neared the shipping warehouses I slowed myself and deliberately checked the numbers on each one. I was looking for 2701.

“2699.. 2700.. 2701!” I looked around for any windows but saw only high windows in the back. I made a full circle around the building. It had only one entrance but I had noticed something odd about the roof. From one side there was a wooden plank that connected to building 2700. Thinking it would give me the best element of surprise, I made my way into 2700 and up an old flight of stairs. Their creaks echoed in the empty warehouse and caused me to move a bit faster to limit the noise.

As I reached the top floor, I noticed a small office in the corner. I made my way inside and found a short step ladder leading to the roof. As I pushed a heavy door up slowly I glanced around the roof. Spotting no one I have the door a push and it stopped on its hinges at a 45 degree angle. Stepping onto the roof I looked for the wooden plank I’d spotted from the ground.

Stepping to the edge, glanced down. Mistake. I swallowed hard.

Let’s hope this thing holds.

I stepped gingerly onto the board and it held firm. I took a few more short steps before I felt the board begin to slide under my hooves. I jumped and landed on the correct roof but the board made a tremendous noise as it smashed into the ground.

I looked around the roof for anywhere to hide but it was flat. Save for the single door that led inside, similar to the door I’d emerged from on the other roof. I moved quickly to that door, knowing someone would surely be up to investigate. I made sure to stand on the side of the door with the hinges to me, so that I could catch the door as it opened.

Just as I readied myself the door began to push upward slightly. The pony on the other side was struggling to lift it. Slowly the pushed the door open and I silently caught the heavy weight on the opposite side. Letting it dip to its full open position before pushing it forward with all my might. If this pony had had trouble opening it, he’d surely have trouble stopping it from smacking him in the head.

I was blessed with a loud clang as the door closed once again and I heard the pony stumble down the stairs. I listened intently for signs of movement. Upon hearing none, I hefted the door myself, seeing the unfortunate colt lying at the bottom of the stairs. I did not envy the headache he would wake up with.

I pressed myself low as I moved through the upper floor of this warehouse. Unlike the first, this one was fully stocked with many boxes and containers of all sizes. I needed to make sure I kept the element of surprise on anypony I came across.

As I neared the stairwell, I felt eyes on my back. I turned swiftly but saw no one. No movement. My paranoia was getting the better of me.

Man, I wish Skip was here.

I stepped onto the stairs and thanked Celestia they didn’t squeak. I made my way down them quickly and quietly. The downstairs was set up with many offices and doors; searching all of them was out of the question.

And then I heard a sound that still breaks my heart to this day. A high-pitched yelp. One of pain and a lot of it. I ran forward, stopping at a cross intersection, listening. As the yelp came again I turned and raced down the corridor to my right. I heard it again and again, I made turns without thinking, I was only following the noise that I recognized but couldn’t place.

Finally, I stopped at a door and the yelps were loudest here. I could see the front door from where I stood. Great. Playing super spy cost me a lot of time. I could see a second door leading into the room I was about to enter and found myself wishing more that Skip had come with me.

I took a deep breath, readied my nerves and kicked the door open. The sight I was met with was forever etched into my mind. My mother sat, tied to a small wooden chair, a black pony stood in front of her. Except, he wasn’t a pony. He was something else.

Before I could react to the scene in front of me I was struck hard in the face. I stumbled backward and against the door I’d just come through. I looked up to see my brother standing on his hind legs throwing punches at the air.

“Broomtail!?”

“Hello, baby brother.”

“What’re you doing!? We’ve got to help Mom!”

“Mother is beyond help at this point. Have you ever heard of changelings, Shadow?”

“What? No.”

“Changelings are what you see in front of you. They feed off of love and grow strong with it. It turns out family ties are like a fountain of love. Mother’s been sitting here for three days. Getting drained slightly every day. It’s amazing she’s lasted this long. By my estimates, she should be dead in a matter of minutes.”

His tone was low, his voice deep. Something inside him had changed. Like he’d lost the love within him. I felt my anger rising and I lunged forward planting a solid strike to his jaw. “How could you do this to your own mother!?”

It was his turn to launch an assault. I succeeded in avoiding a few of his punches. “Oh Shadow. You’ll just never understand how the world works. In a number of years, when the changelings have grown strong enough, they’ll attack Canterlot itself and you’ll see Princess Celestia fall to the might of the Changeling Queen.”

“And what are you? Just some puppet in the scheme?” I launched another assault, landing a few blows.

“Puppet? Oh no. I chose the changelings. I know a winning side when I see one. When the war comes Shadow you must be prepared. You must know where your loyalties lie.” He swung hard as he spoke. Trying to catch me off guard.

“My loyalties are to the princess and her land.” My sentence was cut short by a small squeal of pain escaping my mother. The changeling standing next to her seemed to be sucking something out of her body. I punched my brother square in the nose and watched him tumble backward as I rushed to stop the changeling from doing whatever he was doing. I smashed him as hard as I could in the back of the head and he fell to the ground in a heap.

Suddenly, I heard the front door of the warehouse burst open and Skip’s voice began to shout. “Shadow! Shadow, where are you!?”

“In here Skip!”

He entered the doorway and saw my brother on the ground and the changeling slumped near my mother and myself.

I turned to my mother and began to untie her. “Mom! Hold on. We’re going to get you out of here.” I dropped the ropes to the floor and moved to pick her up but she stopped me, weakly.

“Shadow. I’m not going to make it this time. I’m sorry I never told you I was alive. The department used my death to sneak me undercover into the changeling case. I was supposed to return information to them.”

“Mom, it’s okay. I don’t care about the case. Just let me get you out of here.” I moved to pick her up again and was again stopped. She grabbed both of my hooves and clasped them tightly in her own.

“Shadow. Listen. Tell them the war is coming. Tell them the queen is stronger than they suspect. Tell them they need to prepare.” She looked into my eyes and smiled softly. “You have your father’s eyes. Such kindness and warmth in them. I love you, Shadow. No changeling would ever take that away from me…” Her sentence trailed off and I watched her head drop slowly.

“Mom? Mom!?” I grasped her hooves tightly, trying to make her hold on but she had already left us. I felt the tears coming but swallowed the lump in my throat and held the tears at bay. I turned to my brother now standing in the corner, the changeling had moved near him and I felt my sadness turn to rage.

“You did this. You took my mother from me!”

He grinned. “Our mother, Shadow.”

“Horse manure! You never cared about either of our parents. You never loved them or me. You don’t get the luxury of having loving parents that you don’t appreciate.” I stalked toward him as I spoke. “I hope your queen brings this war and I hope she has one hell of an army because I’ll gladly tear through them all if it means a single ounce of vengeance against you and your perverted view of life!”

“You’ll get your chance, Shadow. You’ll get your chance.” There was a flash of green fire around the two of them and then they were gone.

I turned to Skip. I wanted to be angry at him. I wanted to shout at him and make him feel terrible for making me do this alone. But even then I knew it wasn’t his fault.

“I called the police, Shadow. They should be here soon.”

“Why did you come? What about your exams?”

“Exams can wait. Something told me this couldn’t.” He glanced at my mother still in the small wooden chair. “I’m sorry, Shadow.”

“Yea. Me too.” I walked out of the room and out of the warehouse.

----------

And then you bottled everything up. All that rage at Skip, at the cheangelings, at your brother, and you just locked it all up. Why? So you could yell at the ponies you love?

I left that question unanswered as I found Rainbow waiting by the pink dome wall. She still looked mad.

“Rainbow. I…”

“Save it. Let’s just get out of here and back home.” Her tone was harsh. She was definitely still angry.

“Okay,” was all I could manage to reply.

Solar arrived shortly after and had a unicorn with him.

“Okay, here’s the deal. You two may have noticed that everyone inside this dome looks like a regular earth pony or pegasus. That’s part of the magic of the dome. It keeps us in a form for best getting around. Crystal, here, is one of the shamans that keep this dome in place. And she’s going to grant you both a temporary spell that turns you into real mermares to help you swim faster.”

Rainbow and I nodded in unison as Crystal took a step forward. "I'm going to need both of you to take a very deep breath and then step outside the dome."

"How are we going to step outside it? Wouldn't we run right into it?" I asked.

"Normally, yes. But our bubble is different from your standard magical dome. Ours is paper thin and permeable." Rainbow Dash gave her a quizzical look. "That means things can pass through it. And for me to cast this spell on you two I'm going to need you to step through and remain close to each other."

Rainbow Dash and I nodded and turned to face the wall together. I glanced at her and noticed an excitement in her eyes. "Ready?" I asked and extended my hoof to her.

She looked at me with a grin, "Am I ever not ready?"

She took my hoof and we both took a deep breath as we stepped easily through the bubble, feeling the ocean encircle us.

We both looked at each other and tried to turn to look back inside the dome when we both noticed a sphere beginning to surround us. We hugged tight and let Crystal work her magic.

Just as my lungs began to yearn for fresh oxygen, the sphere dissipated and I heard Crystal shout from inside the dome. "Take a deep breath!"

Rainbow and I traded worried glances before we both inhaled deeply. It felt not unlike breathing air but a part of me felt heavier. I looked at Rainbow but she'd already put the odd feeling behind her and was testing out something entirely new to her.

Her light feathery wings had been changed. They now featured fine webbing and looked to be scaled. She zipped this way and that, testing her new found fins.

I looked at myself wondering what changes would be made for a pony with no wings and was presented with a bit of a shock. My hind legs were gone. In their place was a scaly tail with a large fin used to propel me.

I wiggled my new tail, testing its initial feel; something in me said this was natural, like I had been doing it my whole life. Perhaps it was part of the spell.

I turned back to the dome and Crystal and shouted a thank you. She nodded graciously and turned to head back to her duties. Solar stepped through the bubble and I watched as his feathered wings changed into the same scaly web that Rainbow had. He laid out his plan for us.

"I've sent my teams in every direction. We will be heading north, as that's the direction of Equestria. If your ship is out there, we'll find it."

"Oh it's out there." Rainbow said, as she swam up next to us.

"By the way, the spell you're under is a little flimsy. If you take in a breath of air then you'll be reverted back to normal. So if you hit the surface, be sure you're done swimming before you take a full breath."

With that warning in mind, we headed off to the north.

Chapter 9

We swam for a while in silence. We each scanned the surface for signs of a boat. I noticed the differences our swimming. Rather than gliding like she was used to, Rainbow now had to use her wings to propel her forward. She moved like a jellyfish propelling itself along in the water, as did Solar. I, however, swam smoothly but at what seemed like a slower pace.

I was looking at Rainbow’s fin-like wings when she spoke from in front of me. “Hey, look!” She pointed excitedly ahead of her.

I squinted hard and scanned the direction she had pointed. It took me a long moment but I finally spotted the hull of a ship in the water. I couldn’t contain my smile as we hurriedly moved toward the boat.

As we neared, I slowed down and noticed the boat was facing south. The direction we had been heading before Rainbow and I had been cast overboard. I began to wonder if the Captain really would just continue without us.

“Come on, Shadow!” Rainbow called from in front of me.

I hurriedly caught up.

“So how are we going to get aboard?” Rainbow asked.

“Well, I imagine you can just take a full breath and then fly up there. Just tell them I’m in the water and to drop a rope for me.”

Rainbow nodded and surfaced. I watched the webbing between her wings slowly fade away until her wings were back to their normal feathery selves.

I looked at Solar to thank him for all his help, but his face had turned grim.

“What’s wrong, Solar?”

“Your ship isn’t alone.” He pointed, and, in the distance, I could see another ship approaching quickly. “That’s number one.”

His words hung in the air a moment before my mind put the pieces together. Changelings. “We have to warn my crew.”

“Listen, I won’t be able to help you from down here, so I’m going to tell you our contingency plan. On the port side of their ship, just under the water, we placed a latent magical detonation charge. Our government said we could never use it but if a stray cannonball from a ship in combat with them should hit it then it would probably blow. Heck, if you get a good enough swimming start, the kinetic energy from that would be enough to set it off.”

I nodded my understanding. “Thanks for the heads up.” I heard the rope hit the water behind me. “Get out of here. We’ll take care of them. We’re a tough bunch.”

“I hope so. Good luck.” He shook my hoof before darting back off in the direction we had come.

I turned quickly and grabbed the rope, hauling myself up the side of the ship. By the time I had reached the main deck my two hind legs had returned and I felt normal again.

“Shadow! Where have you two been!?” The Captain was on me instantly.

“No time, Captain. We’ve got bigger problems.” I pointed behind me at the fast approaching ship. “That ship is full of changelings. We need to get around on their port side and aim low.”

“What? Why?”

“There’s no time, Skip! Let’s get a move on!”

For once, he let my reason be mine and he moved to the helm shouting orders as he went. I looked at Rainbow.

“You’re on flight patrol. Any of those blood suckers tries to swing or fly to this ship, take ‘em down.”

She gave me a salute. “Aye aye, boss.”

“Don’t call me boss.” I turned from her and found Bruno headed to the Captain’s Quarters once again.

“I know the drill. Keep the girls safe.” He gave me a smirk.

“You got it, big colt.”

I rushed below deck and found the cannon crews already locked and loaded. “Gunny, this is going to sound weird but, aim low on the port side.”

He gave me a confused look.

“Just trust me, sailor. They’ve got a surprise waiting for them.” He gave me an understanding nod. Looking out the cannon hatch I noticed the changeling ship already upon us and beginning to come around with their starboard side to us.

“Dammit, we’ll never get a shot at this rate. Gunny, if we don’t get around to their port side, just keep firing until they’re dead in the water.”

“Aye, sir.”

From the hatch, I saw several changelings rise up from the enemy ship and begin to fly to ours. “This will not end well.”

I hurried up to the main deck once again and could see Rainbow fighting for all she was worth in the air while multiple crew members fought their own battles against the changelings.

Anchor Light stood in front of Aqua Illusion, defending his wife from a changeling. I fired a shot at the changeling and watched him tumble into the water. They both gave me a startled look.

“Anchor, remind me to teach you how to fight.” Before he could respond, another changeling was upon him. We were quickly getting overrun.

I headed for the Captain’s Quarters, but stopped just short before barging into the room.

“Bruno, it’s Shadow, don’t hit me.” I opened the door slowly and he stood there, looking quite imposing. “Doing a good job, buddy.”

I moved past him and spotted the girls jumping on the bed. “What are you girls doing?”

“Nothing. We’re bored,” Sweetie Belle said, as she stopped bouncing.

“Bored? Girls, there’s a battle going on outside.”

“Yea, but we’re not allowed to leave. Rain Drop said we had to stay in here,” Scootaloo said.

I turned back to Bruno, “Rain Drop?”

His face was suddenly more serious than when I had entered, “Tell no one.”

I held back my laughter and turned back to the girls, “Listen, when all this is over, you three can get out of here and we’ll go see Marelantis, okay?”

“Okay!” they said in unison.

“Now girls, have you seen my old saddle bags around here anywhere?” Sweetie Belle pointed to the corner and I retrieved my saddle bag, removing two of the vials Zecora had given me.

“What’re those, Mr. Chaser?” Applebloom asked, as I eyed the light blue liquid inside and read the label carefully.

“They’re exactly what I need. You girls stay here and I’ll be back before you know it.” I faked a smile at them as I walked toward the door. I gave Bruno a look and he already seemed to know what I was thinking.

“Been a pleasure, boss.”

“Likewise.” I exited the room and hurried across the deck and up to the helm.

“Skip, any chance we can get around on their other side?” I asked as I watched Applejack buck a changeling off the ship.

“None. They outmatch us in speed, there’s no maneuvering I could do to get around them.”

I swore inwardly. “Alright, here’s the plan…”

“Shadow, we’ve got a problem!” Rainbow appeared beside us in a flash. “There’s a pony on that ship!”

“What? Who? Is it one of the crew?” I asked.

“No one I recognize. He’s got a dark yellow coat with a bright yellow mane.”

Broomtail.

“Don’t worry about him, Dash. He’s not with us.” She gave me a look like she couldn’t believe I would turn my back on another pony. “He’s working with the changelings, Dash. Trust me.”

“How could you possibly…”

“Because he’s my brother.” Her silence said all it needed to. “Just keep the changelings off this boat. We’ve got a plan for dealing with this.” Rainbow gave a silent nod and in a flash she had tackled another changeling to the deck.

“Well, this doesn’t change my plan but I hadn’t planned on wiping out my entire family name in one day.”

“What are you talking about, Shadow?” The Captain asked.

I held up the two vials. “I had a friend hook me up with a few potions. These two, when taken together, turn you into a mermare. On the port side of their ship, just below the water, is a bomb the Marelantians set up to deal with this ship. Their government won’t set it off so we’re going to.”

“But how’re we going to set it off if we can’t get around to their port side?”

“We don’t need a cannon to set it off, just something with a good amount of force to swim at it and hit it.”

I could see his mind making the conclusion I had already come to. “Shadow, no. I can’t let you sacrifice yourself for this. We can win this fight.” As he spoke, several more changelings began to descend on the ship.

“No, we can’t, Skip. They have numbers, and that will overtake us. And if I don’t do this soon it will be in vain.”

For a long moment, he and I just stared at each other. When finally he broke the silence, “Alright, Shadow. We both have to do what we have to do.” With that, he punched me. Hard.

This next part I was told about after I had come to from the punch. As I fell to the ground, Skip jumped and caught the vials, speaking to Applejack as he read the labels quickly.

“AJ, set the sails and get on the move. Head south. Marelantis isn’t far from here. Make contact with them. Put them back on Equestria’s maps.”

Applejack, having heard our altercation and knowing Skip’s resolve, nodded and stepped toward him, kissing him full on the mouth. “Thank you.”

Applejack told me that she thought Skip was going to faint when she kissed him but his constitution held up and he gave her a smile as he downed both vials before jumping off the ship.

Applejack took to the helm and maneuvered us away from the changeling ship trying to put as much distance as possible between us, but given that the changeling ship was faster, AJ’s best maneuvers wouldn’t be enough.

I was told all at once our ship was enveloped in a pink bubble and the changeling ship exploded. After the ship had been destroyed, the bubble disappeared as quickly as it had appeared and, the remaining changelings aboard our ship quickly turned tail and fled.

The cheers of victory were what roused me from my spot on the deck. I quickly rose to my hooves and wobbled slightly. AJ quickly locked the wheel and grabbed onto me.

“Easy, partner. He gave you a doozy of a punch.”

I sat down on the deck as I looked around. The changelings were gone and there was no sign of their ship anywhere. “Why did he do that, AJ?”

“The same reason you were going to do it. Love.”

I looked at her through my swelling eye and I could feel the tears coming; the lump in my throat grew and my heart wrenched. I held back the tears and sat back against the railing of the deck staring at my hooves. I had lost my brother. Not Broomtail, he had long ago ceased to be family. I had lost, Skip. The Captain. The colt I had spent all my life with. The colt that had always been there for me. Gone. I glanced back up at Applejack. “Where are we headed?”

“South. Ah’ll get us headed back home if ya want, sugar..”

“No. We’re not far off from Marelantis. I won’t let us fail after we’ve come this far. Keep going.” She gave me a nod and returned to the wheel as Rainbow landed beside me.

“Shadow?” She spoke softly.

I smiled up at her. “Hi, Rainbow.” I patted the deck next to me, “Have a seat.”

She sat beside me slowly. “Shadow, are you okay?”

I shook my head slowly. “No. No, I’m not, Rainbow Dash. No, I’m not.” I finally lost control and the tears flooded my eyes. Rainbow just sat beside me in silence and let me cry.

We stayed like that for about an hour, when there was a large splash coming from our port side. Rainbow got up to investigate while I stayed slumped on the deck. I heard a familiar voice coming from the water.

“Hey, Rainbow! Tell them to drop the anchor; you guys are right on top of Marelantis!” It was Solar Flare.

“Alright!” Rainbow turned around to Applejack. “Hey, drop the anchor.”

“Ah don’t know how.”

“AJ, lock the wheel.” I looked up from my seated position against the railing and watched her lock it. I took a deep breath and shouted, “Drop the anchor!” There was a loud splash and I smiled at the two of them as they stared at me. “Okay, we should stop now.”

It took us a few minutes but we did finally stop. In that time, I rose and made my way over to the edge of the deck. Looking down I stopped Solar doing figure 8’s in the water. I waved to him, and he surfaced. “Thanks for the heads up. Any chance we could get a couple of your ponies to cast some spells on us? We didn’t exactly bring diving gear.”

“No problem. Wait here, I’ll be back in a flash.” He disappeared under the water and I turned back to Rainbow and Applejack. “He’ll be back in a little while. I think I need a nap.”

I awoke a few hours later lying in the bed in the Captain’s Quarters. I groaned softly as I felt my eye begin to sting and a headache throbbing. I rolled over in the bed and noticed three pairs of eyes sitting at the edge. I couldn’t help but smile at them.

“Hi girls. Let me guess, Cutie Mark Crusader nurses?”

They all nodded quickly with wide smiles. “Aqua Illusion did most of the nursing but we grabbed whatever she needed,” Applebloom said, proudly.

“I’m sure you girls did a wonderful job. What time is it?”

“After dark. My sister said she’d come wake you up when that pony came back.”

I sat up slowly. Something wasn’t right. Solar should’ve been back by now. I climbed down off the bed and invited the girls to follow me. “Come on, let’s get you out of this stuffy room. But stay close to me okay?” They nodded in the affirmative and I opened the door to the main deck.

I walked slowly so as not to aggravate my head any more than was necessary and made my way up to the helm. Applejack sat with Rainbow, talking about what was taking so long.

“It just doesn’t make sense. He said he’d be back soon. I don’t think he’d keep us waiting this long without an update,” Rainbow Dash said.

“Ah’d like to agree with you, RD. But we’ve got no choice but to wait it out.”

“How long has it been?” I asked as I sat down next to them. The girls took up positions between the three of us.

“Four hours. We’ve all just been sitting here. Most of the crew is getting kinda anxious about it. It’s starting to feel like a trap.”

“I don’t think the Marelantians are the types to lay traps. They seem pretty sincere about their intentions.”

“And they did save us when the changeling ship exploded.” Applejack said.

“We’ll give them a day before we decide what we’re going to do. This was Skip’s dream so I’d like to see it through.” They both nodded in agreement when we heard another splash from the port side. All six of us rushed to the railing to see Solar and Coral staring up at us.

“Well, it’s about time!” Rainbow said.

Solar spoke nervously, “Yea. I’m afraid we have some bad news. The report of the changeling ship being destroyed via that bomb reached our leaders and they’re not happy. With myself or with you. They’ve asked me to relay a message to you,” he cleared his throat as he looked at a note he had with him. “Please, leave Marelantis in peace. It is clear to us that Equestria has become violent in their absence from Marelantis and we would not wish to invite any conflict into our peaceful city.”

As a group all of our hearts sunk. We’d come so far to fall short on the doorstep of our destination. Applejack and the Cutie Mark Crusaders turned away and headed back to the main deck while Rainbow and I lingered.

“But why would you bring Coral up if you’re not going to help us come down there?” Rainbow asked.

“I just wanted to wish you all luck on your journey home. That protective shield I cast around your ship will probably have me thrown out of the shamanistic order but I know that you are truly kind hearted ponies who only lashed out in self-defense.”

“Well, I guess we owe you one then,” Rainbow said. “I guess we’ll see you guys later.”

“We can hope,” Solar said. They made a motion like they were about to dive but I stopped them.

“Coral, you said you were a shaman. Do you people have funeral ceremonies?” I asked.

“Of course.”

“Would you be willing to perform a short one up here for my friend who destroyed that changeling ship?”

She smiled sweetly at the idea. “Absolutely.”

“Okay, hold on one minute.” I turned to Applejack and the girls. “Would you ladies like to meet some real Marelantians up close?” The wide eyed stare I got was all the yes I would ever need.

We lowered down in a life boat and paddled gently away from the ship, before I stopped and Solar and Coral reappeared once again. For a few minutes, the Crusaders and Applejack asked all the questions they could think of and Solar and Coral took turns answering them.

When finally their questions stopped I asked Coral what the funeral ceremony was like. She said that Marelantians did not mourn death but instead celebrated it. Celebrated the full life that all creatures lead. Celebrated the achievements of their friends and told stories of both good times and bad.

So, I shared a few stories of Skip and I, bar fights we’d been in, friendly bets that had gone too far, even how Skip had earned his cutie mark. I recounted the many commendations he’d received at boating school and how the instructors had said upon his graduation that they’d never seen a finer sailor come through their halls.

Rainbow, Applejack, the girls, and Solar and Coral, listened to all my stories. They never asked for further details they just enjoyed the slice of Skip’s life that I was able to give them. I told them when I was finally done that I wished they all could’ve known him a bit more. He was a fine colt, after all.

“Before I end this, I want to share with you all a small prayer that Skip taught me once.” I took a deep breath, trying my best to remember the whole thing. “Ponies have always been drawn to the sea. But it's an unnatural setting for us, a place of great danger. Tides, currents, waves, wind. Each presenting their own hazards, none of which can be ignored. The slightest lapse of judgment can be a mistake you might never recover from. But a good sailor doesn't fight against these elements. A good sailor works with them, using them to his advantage. While others, less fortunate, might be forever cast adrift, he always comes home safely.”

We all sat in silence for a moment before Solar and Coral said their good-byes and we headed back to the ship.

As I stepped onto the deck, I turned to help the Crusaders from the boat. Sweetie Belle was the last in line and as I picked her up she asked me simply, “Can we go home now? I kinda miss my sister.”

I couldn’t help but laugh a little. “Sure, Sweetie. We’ll all be home in no time.”

Epilogue

Rainbow Dash and I lay on the banks of the Highland Reservoir. After all of the stories I had told at Skip’s “funeral” she had wanted to know more about him. I was more than happy to oblige her. Now we were relaxing in the same place Skip and I used to come to talk about things.

“Oh, Rainbow! Shadow! There you both are!” Rarity’s voice carried over the hill and I rose to my hooves. “Honestly, you two can be so hard to find.”

“That is our job,” I said.

“And you do it very well. Listen, I just wanted to thank you for finding my sister. I admit I was nervous when you said you were taking her to Marelantis but I think she was happier about her being home and even I was.”

I smiled as I remembered Sweetie Belle asking if she could go home. “Yea, Miss Rarity. By the time, we’d finally gotten to our destination; Sweetie was pretty well ready to come home. I think the other girls were as well.”

“Oh, Shadow, darling, you don’t have to call me ‘Miss Rarity.’ You’re a dear friend and I think Rarity would do just fine.”

“You got it, Rarity.” I gave her a sincere smile but I noticed that all my old feelings about her seemed to have left me.

“Well, I’d best be off. Fluttershy is helping me put together a rather large order. Honestly, I don’t know where that pegasus learned to stitch but she is a gem to have around.”

I chuckled softly as she turned to leave. “Well, don’t let me keep you. Try not to work too hard.”

I laid back down next to Rainbow and closed my eyes.

“Shadow, I don’t think I can do this anymore.”

My eyes snapped open and I looked over at her. She was staring at the sky. “Can’t do what anymore?”

She bit her lip as she looked at me and I immediately knew what she was talking about. “I just don’t think it’s right.”

“We can work on it, Rainbow. Make it right. I mean, we’ve made it work up til now, haven’t we?”

“Yea, and we fought each other the whole way. I only get in your way and you only get in mine. We’re just too different.”

I sighed and sat up, looking out over the water. “Do you think we have a chance of getting back together?”

“Maybe. But something big would have to happen.” She sat up beside me and leaned into me. I embraced her gently.

“You think I could get Rarity?” I asked through a chuckle.

Rainbow giggled into my chest. “After that display? Yea, she’d do just about anything for you.”

“Well, at least we had a good run, right?”

“Yea, we did.”

We sat in silence for a while, both of us contemplating what the future would bring. We watched the sun set slowly behind the mountains in the distance and just enjoyed each other’s company. I listened to Rainbow’s breathing and she listened to my heart beat in my chest. After a long while, I finally broke the silence.

“So do you think the weather team will take you back?”

“Of course they will. I’m only the best flier in Equestria.”

I laughed as I helped her to her hooves. “Come on, let’s go home.”