Diary entry number 51
Sluggishly I wake up.
there's something standing over top of me.
I turn my head to see the glowing green eyes of a changeling.
I briefly considered going back to sleep.
But I know if I sleep now I won't wake up again.
Trying to pull my foggy mind together I pulled my resistant body to a standing position as the changeling backed off with a surprised look in its eyes.
And I draw my sword to defend myself.
I'm at a disadvantage, it's dark, My mind is cloudy and my body doesn't want to move.
The only reason why I can see the changeling is because of its glowing eyes.
It rushed to attack me. I tried to swing my sword arm but that would take too long, I stepped to the side instead.
Forcing my mind to focus I turn and strike where the changeling would have been.
But it takes too long for me to clear my mind and force my body to move.
The only thing my sword hits is damp rocky soil.
I force my head to slowly turn to try to find where the changeling is hiding.
Jumping onto my back and forcing me to the ground the creature pins my arms behind my back tossing my sword several feet away.
I struggle but like many things in this world that it is stronger than I am.
But that doesn't stop me from trying to focus my mind and trying to overpower the creatures strength.
I managed to get one of my arms free and used them to help me stand as I strain my legs under the sheer weight of the creature.
Despite having a bunch of holes in it this thing weighs a lot.
My mind finally being clear of most of the fog I take one shaky step forward and fall to the ground.
but I'm within reach of my sword now and I take my free hand and reach out towards it.
As I am doing so I realized my eyes are closed.
Opening my eyes I find that it's actually just before dawn and there's plenty enough light to see.
Grabbing my sword I see Amber standing in front of me completely petrified, her eyes locked on me.
And with a bit of extra motivation remembering that I have a pair of people to protect I use a burst of energy to roll out of the changelings grip rolling over top of them to pain their fingers into releasing me as I continue to roll onto my feet.
Shifting into a Battle Stance I look directly into the eyes of Sundrop laying on the ground Catching her breath and nursing her hand.
finally waking up I realized the whole thing with the changeling was nothing but a vivid dream
Me: It happened again didn't it?
Sundrop: What do you mean again. This is the first time you've attacked us. I almost let you chop that Pony's head off because I thought you figured out something that I didn't know before I realized how sluggishly you were moving.
It was that bad? I've never put anyone's life in danger before. looking at Amber Who is still petrified.
Me: I didn't hurt her did I?
Sundrop: No but you scared the Flaming rocks out of both of us when you stood up and started swinging your sword around.
seeing as she's from a pony town I can understand why she's still scared to.
Me: Why is that
Sundrop: Have you never been on the receiving end of a friend trying to kill you before.
I think for a bit. Me: I've had my trust betrayed time and time again but I don't think I've ever been attacked by somebody I trusted.
Sundrop: lucky you.
Me: Do you want to talk about it?
Sundrop: No.
Me: Ok…
Amber it's okay I'm awake now. I was just having a really bad dream.
Amber in a trembling voice: what kind of dream makes you stand up and attack your Friends?
Me: The one where I'm being attacked by a changeling in complete darkness.
Amber: O-oh…
Me: No I don't want to talk about it
Amber and Sundrop giving each other a glance: Ok
I sit and move you my memories as if somebody else was living them as Amber and Sundrop do morning routines together as if we've been living like this for several months.
Diary entry number 52
I think I blacked out for a few months.
Because after waking from a nightmare today and almost killing my friends because of it.
I came to realize we had already gone through the whole Rosedale Fiasco Sailed North up the coast to Stalingrad before hiking all the way to someplace called Shadow Forest where we are currently making camp before continuing our journey West. to what's apparently called the world Bridge.
a massive creature made Bridge connecting the two halves of the world. If my foggy half destroyed memory is correct the bridge itself is a country. And because more than half the population of the bridge is veteran soldiers turn pacifist. If one side of the world wanted to attack of the other it would have to sail its armies cross the ocean through unpredictable tides, weather, and sea monsters
Because this country is very strictly neutral. And I've heard the place is an impenetrable Fortress.
And supposedly the only residence Other than what consists of the military for this place would be Traders.
And now that I'm looking at this place I can definitely say that this is Equestria's World Trade Center if they decided to mix it with Fort Knox.
I'm almost certain they demolished multiple mountains to build this massive structure. The thing stretches on for Miles across the ocean and is easily a mile wide.
It has two train tracks leading down the center of the bridge one set of tracks for going east and the other set of tracks for going west. they took an interesting approach to getting pedestrians from one side of the tracks to the other without interrupting the traffic for the trains.
Every couple of blocks they have a Tunnel built underneath the tracks And I'm betting these tunnels are some of the lowest point in the city because after the steps go down it just turns into a metal grate until you reach the other side. Most likely to make sure the water has somewhere to go.
I wonder if anyone ever gets stuck in those tunnels on a particularly rainy day.
There isn't much In the way of housing. likely because everyone who comes there doesn't plan on staying very long.
I'm willing to bed unless you're amazingly rich you're probably one of the 90% of people who are staying in an apartment building.
I like the fact that the doors are made for people of all sizes
Diary entry number 53
I noticed Sundrop and Amber looking at me with Small Smiles on their faces. End with a confused look on my face I asked
Me: What?
Sundrop: oh it's nothing.
Me: I've lived long enough to know when a girl says it's nothing that means it's actually something that I should be really worried about. So what is it?
Sundrop tried to hide the sad look on her face but it's hard to hide any of her emotions with her eyes are that big
Sundrop: It's just… it's been a while since you had a smile on your face.
Me: But I wasn't smiling.
Sundrop: But you also didn't look like you had the weight of the world on your shoulders. It was… nice
Me: What are you talking about? I'm not stupid enough to try to carry everything by myself. especially seeing as I've got a pair of strong Friends by my side.
Sundrop: Okay.
Amber took a deep breath and let it out slowly before turning on me completely stopping a Few paces down the road.
Amber: Okay enough with the bush. You're telling me you're not stressed? Did you forget you almost cut my head off last week? Someone who doesn't have any stress doesn't stand up and start attacking their surroundings while they're sleeping!
Me: Amber, stop yelling.
Amber: No I won't stop! That day after you actually woke up and laid your eyes upon me as if you were looking at a stranger that you met the day before!
Have the last couple of months meant nothing to you?
Me: …
Amber: Even now you're looking at me as if you completely forgot the countless times we spent together!
At this point in time I'm standing there wondering to myself if I was actually that easy to read. despite having my sunglasses on.
Amber: So instead of just standing there slack-jawed, how about you tell us the truth for once. Because if my father taught me anything it's that you don't become a kind person without being in pain.
And despite not having any notable scars you're the kindest person I've ever met. So how about you tell me, Tell us what's going on?
At this point Amber is standing right next to Sundrop and they're both looking at me expectantly. And my memory finally decides to fill me in on a couple of important moments during our journey.
The time in Rosedale where Amber's father came to bring her home and I managed to get him to back down With a very convincing I made up on the spot.
The time the sailors found Sundrop stowed away by me because of racial differences and got hurt defending her because I was outnumbered.
“a little bit surprised I'm still alive”
And also remembering that time in Stalingrad that I spared the life of that thief That stole what little money I had in Amber's HomeTown.
Me: So I guess my kindness hasn't gone unnoticed… I'm glad.
I look towards the ground and smile to myself
???: Of course not silly.
Being startled I almost jumped out of my skin with and Twist around and look to the owner of the voice who patted me on the back
Diary entry number 54:
Okay back tracking a little bit, the last time we left off we were looking at the Rosedale During high tide.
When morning came all the water had receded and we could easily walk to town.
The town itself had an aquatic theme.
The buildings Were painted in various shades of blue and green.
The Cobblestone Roads had Marine life designed into it.
And after seeing the marketplace and the amount of fish they sold there, if you had ever gotten lost you could easily find yourself by using your nose. I can tell just by looking at Sundrop and Ambers faces that the smell was overbearing for anyone with a sensitive nose.
There was even a Roman-style aqueduct Collecting runoff From the nearby Mountains.
And that was split off and went into every stone structure in town; Individually.
So instead of taking the approach that humans did with machine pumps and pressure they just decided to take a river and let it flow through town naturally, never stopping the flow of water.
Sundrop: why do they call the city Rosedale?
Me: I know right? I would have called this Aqua Pura, City of water.
Random local Who has probably answered this question a thousand times: Rose is the founder of the city.
Sundrop and I rudely stared at the passerby as they walked away as Amber politely thanked them.
We continue into the city after sharing an awkward moment.
I notice that the place is more accepting of carnivore types As the passersby only giving Sundrop a wary glance instead of immediately fleeing or becoming aggressive.
Becoming aware of myself I actually take a look at the people around me.
I see two more new species of people.
Bipedal Felines and various types of bird people; also bipedal.
Just in case you decided to forget. All felines are carnivores. And don't forget Hawks and Eagles aren't the only ones who eat other animals. As you learned in elementary school Lil Tweety Birds eat worms which is a kind of meat. And worms are not the only thing they eat.
They also eat various types of bugs.
And as far as you know, Birds who eat bugs tend to have a softer beak than birds who eat seeds; other than a woodpecker.
But I still see some segregation between the carnivore and herbivore types. Even between the bird species. Which makes me come up with a plan.
Me: Hey Amber, why don't you go find us some place to stay, preferably someplace that isn't going to kick out Sundrop just because she had sharp teeth.
Amber: But we don't have any money.
Me: Don't worry about it I'll go sell one of my things
Amber: You're going to sell one of your weapons?
Me: Did I say I was going to sell one of my weapons? but yes I'm going to sell my magic wand. I pat my gun.
Amber: How are you going to defend yourself?
Me: I'm still going to have my sword. and besides both of you are strong enough to rip me in half I'm sure with the two of you working together you easily be able to protect me if I need help.
She seems to have objections to my decision but decided not to say anything about it Before turning and Walking Away.
Me: We'll meet back here in the Marketplace in a few hours! I holler to Amber as she begins her search.
Sundrop: Are you actually going to sell that?
Me: No. I just don't want Amber to think we're about to commit a crime.
Sundrop: …What's the plan?
Diary entry number 55:
The target I had chosen was a stall selling spices with it’s back facing the alley.
My paranoia made me scope it out for an extra 20 minutes and another 20 after that seeing how perfect of a Target it is.
But no, no traps in the alleys, no hidden guard. It's possible but I even doubt that the box the money is being kept in Has any sort of enchantment on it.
When to put the cherry on top the vendor is a pompous looking racist goose; they're not even trying to hide it, they got a sign on the stand saying we do not serve predators.
Not saying that it's easy though.
Geese have eyes on the sides of their heads which means the stall vendor can look at the customer and down the alley at the same time.
What you mean Sundrop is going to have to do something drastic to get the full attention of the stall vendor.
Good thing he's racist.
After getting in position Sundrop makes her move and approaches the stall vendor.
vendor: can you not read?
Sundrop: read what?
vendor: the sign. Can you not read the sign?
Sundrop actually Looks a little sad.
Sundrop: no. She says meekly.
Vendor: I figured as much, You brutish Uneducated monsters never thought you would be in the situation like this did you? well I'm feeling a little bit generous today so I'll read it for you. it says we don't serve your kind. We do not sell to those who eat other beings. Not that you have any money anyway. I can tell just by looking at you that you don't have anything of worth
Sundrop seems to be distracted so I try to signal to her that I'm in position.
It seems to get her attention as the expression on her face looks in my general direction going from downtrodden to acknowledgement.
Sundrop: nothing of worth? she said, raising her voice.You dare look down upon me! I'm a dragon and have the gall to say that I have nothing of worth! my mere presence is worth more than you'll ever have!
As she continues ranting it seems to have gotten the full attention of the goose and he's looking down both sides of the street instead of the alley where I'm hiding, likely looking for a guard to support him.
That's when I make my move quietly sneaking up behind the stall vendor.
I'm certain there were a couple of points where he would have heard me if sundrop's loud voice wasn't his main concern.
And just like any plan, it didn't go completely without flaws. I failed to notice that the Goose's money box was tied to his foot when I was scouting the place out.
Thinking on my feet I pulled out my pocket knife and served the rope and grabbed the chest.
As I was making my getaway
the Guards came for Sarah, another thing that I didn't plan for but it seems like luck was on my side When I noticed they were carnivores. A pair of anthropomorphics pumas, one was a lion and built like a bodybuilder, the other was small, slim and agile looking; I don't know what kind of cat it was. but my heart was beating out of my chest hoping nobody would see me fleeing down the alley.
Sundrop would probably get off the hook because all she did was act like a disgruntled customer in the eyes of other meat eaters.
And as I should have expected, as soon as the guards arrived the first thing the merchant did was check his money.
When I looked back I saw the guards were already watching me run down the alley but weren't doing anything.
They probably assumed I was just scared at the time but immediately jumped into action when the merchant started screaming Thief.
The agile one jumped over the stall counter and passed the merchant pursuing me down the alley Looking like an anime character as they used their acrobatics to jump off boxes and run along the walls.
Past the acrobatic I saw the lion run down the street and I knew he was going to try to cut me
Off.
In times like this you heard that people had a thousand thoughts running through their head, not you though.
You only had one thought at a time As you rounded the corner into what you knew was a dead end instead of taking the left which was supposed to be your Escape Route.
When you hit the dead end they… she did as exactly as you predicted and slowed down thinking you couldn't escape.
You attempted to open the boxes you turned around to face her and started backing into the corner; it was locked.
You threw the chest onto the ground shattering it and grabbed a handful of coins as she started her, you can't escape speech.
I waited patiently as I watched her partner come down the alley as she continued to talk with me.
Breathing heavily her partner approached her from behind stealing her attention for just a moment.
Her partner looking at the ground trying to catch his breath and her looking at him I had a fraction of a second.
If I did this right I would have vanished Into Thin Air.
I squeezed myself into a tiny crack between the buildings;I could barely fit in my head in it and it took too long for me to get all the way in, not only that but it didn't go all the way through to the other side so I was going to be stuck there until they left.
I don't know what God was watching over me that day as that racist Goose made his way down the alley pulling both of their attention towards him As I Disappeared into that tiny spot.
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Nobody saw me. The guard's attention were on the goose and the merchant had not rounded the corner yet.
Merchant: have you caught that vile thing yet?
Guards: stay back sir we have everything under control.
I assume that Merchant rounded the corner at this point.
Merchant: Where is it? I thought you said you had that thing in Chains!
I imagine the guards looking to where I was just standing.
Male guard: What? Where do you go?
Female guard: whatever it was it could probably use Magic
Merchant: well go find it!
Female guard: if he teleported there's no way we can track him.
Merchant: Then use your massive noses and hunt it down!
Me hoping their massive ears don't hear my heart beating through the stone wall.
Male guard sniffing the air: He Definitely teleported there is no Trail to follow.
His scent ends here in this alley
Merchant: How did you carnivores even get in the guard if you're this useless!
My heart went out to the guards at this time. Because even in that short time I knew they were most likely the best team this town's law enforcement had.
Even as I was wedged in that corner fearing one of them I would figure out I was just wedged in a crack in the corner. I respected them for having to deal with the garbage they had to put up with everyday.
The female guard as she picked up the scattered coins on the ground: and besides he only managed to get away with a small handful of coins.
Merchant: That doesn't matter! What matters is that thing and his pet monster get what they deserve!
Male Guard: The Dragon?
Merchant: Yes the Dragon! That scaly Monster is obviously that thing's accomplice!
Both guards simultaneously: and what evidence do you have of that?
Merchant: I don't need evidence! the fact that the thing was even at my stall should be evidence enough to incarcerate it!
Let alone that it was at my store the same time I was being robbed by a homunculus.
And besides, all the dragons should have been extinct by now!
In the privacy of my own mind: I know I'm freaky looking but I don't look that freaky.
Assuming the female guard finished picking up the coins and putting it into a bag and dropped it
Female guard: did you hear the same thing I heard?
Male guard: I don't know, did you hear somebody committing a hate crime?
I can hear that grin on the female guard's face: That's exactly what I heard.
I would have laughed if the construction of the walls hadn't been restricting my ability to breathe. As I listen to the sound of this Goose being arrested and dragged away, as he screamed Every racial slur I've ever heard and even some new ones.
I would have even recorded it if I could reach my phone.
I waited a couple extra minutes to make sure they were gone before squeezing back out of that crack with difficulty.
When I did I saw the bag of coins just laying there in the alley.
Immediately red flags shot up in my head and I knew it was a trap.
I froze where I stood, the paranoia rushing through my head at breakneck pace and I realized I had already been caught. so I slumped and got on my knees and waited for them to come get me wherever they were hiding.
They never came.
I kneeled there waiting for them for 5 minutes wondering what's taking them so long.
For a brief second I was wondering if they were actually that incompetent.
But I knew better, chances were they saw me sliding through that crack out of the corner of their eye and we're just looking down upon me from one of the rooftops waiting for the right moment to strike.
And from what I remember teleportation had a burst of light and they were talking about it like they had seen it before so they knew I was in that crack as they spoke to that merchant. I wonder if the lion was checking to make sure I was still there when he pretended to check if I had left a trail behind.
So why haven't they come to arrest me yet?
I could feel the eyes of the female guard looking down at me from an elevated position at this point. I could probably even point at her without looking up It was so intense. Examining that feeling without looking around I could feel the curiosity hiding within the intense suspicion.
I don't know what she was thinking but I knew she was watching me and she was curious what I was going to do.
So is this a test?
Well if this is a test and I know exactly what to do.
I walk up to the bag and I open it staring at the golden side.
a moment later I pull the gold coins out of my pocket and hold them in front of me moving them around slowly as I watch the gold glitter.
I take a deep sigh and drop the gold into the sack before tying it up and leaving It behind walking out of the alley.
I could feel the intense feeling of suspicion leaving as the curiosity grew.
All feeling of Suspicion had left by the time I reached the stall at the end of the alley
Walking around the stall and into the crowd I swiped a small bag of cinnamon keeping in mind that I'm still being watched from the alley.
Diary entry number 56
Sundrop was nowhere to be seen and I still had a hour to wait before Amber got here. And I still don't have any money.
So I guess I'm going to try my hand at haggling.
I Rest end listening to the people around me I searched my memory of every time I watched people haggle and trade. Two different TV shows, countless hours of YouTube videos, and my one Real World experience.
Listening to the people haggle around me help me remember, I remembered The idea of Rags to Riches.
It took me a little while but I managed to scrounge together enough hey sis of memories and experience to create merchant persona; no this is not a JoJo reference if you think it is maybe you should look up the word persona and figure out what it actually means
Dawning my metaphorical mask I take my tiny bag of cinnamon and start coming up with a new plan.
By the time Amber showed up she had to grab me by the shirt to pull me out of my focus
Amber: COMET!!!
Cowering from the pain of being screamed in the ear.
Me: Ow ow ow what?
Amber: I've been trying to get your attention for the last 5 minutes!
Sundrop: yeah she was. but you were so focused and whatever you were doing that you didn't even realize we were standing right next to you.
Me:Oh hey Sundrop. I honestly thought I was going to have to bail you out of jail. Probably why I was so focused on getting enough money
Sundrop: why would you think I was in jail?
Remembering that we were still lying to Amber.
Me: oh… om. When you were arguing with that merchant about the prices of his cinnamon. I saw the guard come by and my vision was blocked for a moment When that person pushed me over. and when I got up I couldn't see you anymore.
Sundrop: Comet, I already told her.
Amber: I was so worried I contacted my dad.
Me: Well… s***
Amber: He owes you for saving my life. So I figured he could use his influence to get you out of the dungeon
Me: And it's not really I guess that he's going to take you home with them when he gets here.
Amber: Yeah…
I take a deep breath letting out a sigh
The merchant I was just bartering with: So… I'm not buying anything illegal am I?
Without switching back into my Merchant tone of voice I continue speaking normally.
Me: No of course not. I never escaped from the guard. The product that I'm selling you today was obtained through completely legal means.
The merchant I’m bartering with: Okay good to know.
So do you agree on 350?
Me: yes I do. I reach out my hand to close the deal. But only because my compatriots have come to fetch me.
Sundrop with a surprised look on her face: 350? how did…
Amber who has probably watched her father barter countless times: Shush.
That made the merchant pause for a moment but he still shook my hand.
A moment later he Counted and gave me my money.
Me with a smile: pleasure doing business with you.
Merchant: Pleasure doing business with you to Comet Coldstar.
Me: Hey now, I don't remember telling you my name.
Merchant: well she said it just a moment ago and word travels fast here in the marketplace.
Every business creature in this Marketplace knows what you did to that racist old goose. And don't even think for a second we haven't heard what happened to pork chop over in trot.
You're practically a legend
I stand there completely stunned
Merchant: What's the matter? Did you not know you stick out like a sore thumb?
Me…
Merchant: think about it. Everyone here is completely covered in hair or feathers and wearing next to nothing except you.
And you look like something that jumped out of the mind of the Mad God Discord. Dressed head-to-toe with a color similar to the void and wielding a blade and firearm like no one has ever seen before.
I'm standing there listening emotionlessly. Sundrop has an amused look on her face. And Amber is leaning away from me slack-jawed and wide-eyed.
Merchant: And if that wasn't enough the first thing you did was kill Coleus, a powerful, corrupt, political figurehead, Blow up a train carrying illegal armaments, And kidnap the daughter of a mafia Lord.
And with what I think I understand why everyone thinks you're the right hand of Discord.
Sundrop: And what did he just do? I need to know.
Merchant looking at Sundrop with a knowing smile: I may not look it but I'm the vice president of the merchants Guild. I've known for years that Gunther The president of the merchants Guild was practicing slave trade. But could never get the town guard to do an investigation cuz Gunther's influence was too vast.
And on the day you guys arrived he somehow managed to correlate with a guard without anybody noticing; I'm still trying to figure it out myself.
And force the Guard to do an investigation. And with how sloppy Gunther's been getting lately, he will be jailed for his crimes.
Sundrop: Volcanic rocks of Tartarus
Amber staring at me desperately: you're not actually an agent of chaos… are you?
Me: Not that I know of.
Amber: O..k.
Merchant: Like I said, you're legendary. When I heard you had come to town I had to get down here and see you for myself.
I didn't expect to see you take Gunther down before my very own eyes.
And then I even had the pleasure to meet you in person.
Me: So what is your name again?
Merchant: Chaker. My name is chaker.
Got to say though. I know all Merchants act a little differently when they're working. but in all my years as a merchant I've never seen anyone turn into a completely different person like you did.
From Ruthless businessman. To a calm and even shy foreigner.
Me: I suppose you want all your money back for the information you just gave me.
Chaker: No, Not at all. With Gunther in prison for his crimes I'll be taking his place as the head of the merchants Guild.
If anything I should be paying you more.
Me: That won't be necessary.
Chaker: I figured as much. Well it looks like you're getting ready to go.
Me: yeah. Goodbye.
Chaker: Goodbye. I hope you'll come visit again sometime. and we're all waiting to see what you're going to do next.
Diary entry number 57
Well remembering all that at least tells me how I'm I able to afford to stay in a tavern with three other girls
But it doesn't answer where the other girl came from who she is what her name is or how In
tartarus I even got to this place
After I met my new companion for the, not first time. I basically just stopped answering all questions… Well actually I stopped answering all together.
And eventually we just wound up in a random overpriced Tavern where I got two separate rooms one for me and one for the girls and I locked myself in here so I have enough time to process through everything I missed.
As I sit here, I can hear them in the other room being angry and worried trying to figure out what's going on.
Amber being angry: Why was acting like that?
The last time he looked at me like that was when I still considered myself kidnapped!
???: It's like he has receded into himself
Me to myself: Not exactly a lie. But the whole truth is I just took off the mask you were used to.
Sundrop Quietly: I thought he trusted us enough to tell us what was going on
Me to myself: If I knew what was going on, I would tell you.
I can feel it. I care deeply for all of you, even though I don't know who some of you are.
Amber: Exactly! Whatever happened to the trust we had? I specifically remember the time he said that he trusted us with his life! Did that mean nothing?
Me to myself: I can understand why I said that. I can trust you with my life without really trusting you because I have no value of my own life.
???: Makes me wonder if he'll actually keep his promise to me.
Me to myself: if I actually said that I promised, then of course I'll keep it. I would never promise something if I thought I wouldn't do it.
I just have to remember what the promise is first.
Sundrop started to cry at this point and the two of their girls comforted her until they all went to sleep.
Me to myself: I'm sorry, I didn't want you to cry. I would never want you to worry or cry over someone who is useless.
Diary entry number 58
I spent all day looking for a ship to take us to Stalingrad. Just to find out the only ship going that way is a trade vessel that strictly prohibits carnivores. And anyone who travels with carnivores.
…It didn't help that they look like dodo birds.
So I gave Amber enough money for passage and told her to buy her way onto the ship by herself as we stowed away.
Problem was the next day as Amber was trying to the ship as we were trying to find a way on when Sundrop noticed a group of ponies standing in a way.
I told Amber to sit and chill for a moment and watch to see what will play out.
As soon as Amber started taking on aggressive stances and having a heated argument with the pony in the center of the group that I couldn't see from my current angle we started the move.
And when we got there they were forcefully dragging Amber away.
Me: HAY!!! LET HER GO!!!
The group of ponies stopped and looked at me.
Henchman number one: and why should we do that?
Me drawing my sword: Keep trying to kidnap a young girl and find out.
The group of pony start taking a defensive stance before a voice calls out from the center and a pony with a really dark gray coat and a red and black maine emerges from the center of the group of ponies; It's really hard to tell but he's got a little bit of a age to him.
Running Gambit: my name is Running Gambit and this here *gestures to Amber* is my daughter. A little while ago she was kidnapped by a pair of predators. And after hearing she escaped and imprisoned her kidnappers I came to bring her home.
Do you have a problem with that?
Amber: yes! I have a problem with that.
With a gesture Gambit ordered one of his pony to gag Amber.
Running Gambit: terribly sorry about that it seems like she's developing a little bit of Stockholm Syndrome.
Now if you don't mind we'll be going now.
Me: Actually!
I raised my voice loud enough for everyone to hear.
Me: Actually I think I do have a problem with that!
Running Gambit: Oh?
Me: What about her freedom? And what about her choice?
I think a fully-grown Mare Should have the right to choose what she wants to do.
And I'm going to defend that right.
Running Gambit: and who are you exactly?
Me: I'm the one who pulled your daughter off of your burning train after the engine exploded because the train conductor was using an elemental ooze to run the engine.
A member of the growing audience: But isn't elemental ooze illegal?
Another member of the growing audience: yeah it is! it's considered slavery!
Running Gambit: it's only considered slavery in some parts of the world.
Me: That creature was enslaved? *I look at Gambit* Are you going to enslave your daughter too?
Running Gambit: what? No. wh-
Me: It definitely looks that way to me. How about you turn around and look at her being held down by four other ponies and gagged by a fifth.
Angry running Gambit complies and turns around looks upon his daughter with a gag in her mouth and being held in place.
Now I can't see what his emotions are from the back of his head but I assumed his face went from anger to shock real quick because I instantly saw his stance relax and his head fall after a couple brief moments of staring.
Running Gambit: take the gag out of her mouth.
I saw Amber preparing a retort when the gag was removed but I silenced her with emotion and a look.
Running Gambit: will you come home?
Amber with restraint in her voice: No.
Still can't see what his face is doing.
Running Gambit: I see…
He makes a gesture with his head to what I labeled as his group of henchmen before walking away.
Diary entry number 59
Going back to the original plan Sundrop and I snuck onto the ship Crammed together in a single create. I thought about doing a wine barrel like the classic sneak onto this ship scenario. But you never know when the crew might get thirsty and decide to sample the merchandise.
Sundrop whispering: couldn't you have picked a bigger create?
Me whispering: Probably, but then there wouldn't have been a guarantee that we would get on the ship
Sundrop still whispering: get off my tail.
Trying to remain as silent as possible I shift my weight off my back side and onto my feet.
Quietly listening to my surroundings.
It got quiet and I wondered for 3 minutes with my heart pounding if we were discovered; what to me at the time felt like an eternity.
but eventually I assumed it was because there was nobody there and I lifted the lid off of the crate.
Stupid stupid stupid why did I do something so fffffff stupid?
lifting the lid of the crate and standing up I crouched back down immediately after hearing one of the crew carrying a heavy box down into the hold.
I couldn't do it properly because Sundrop decided to stand up as well and I whacked her on the head with the lid trying to pull it back down on top of me as I went down and dropped the lid and it made a loud clunk sound, twice. when's for Sarah's head and another time for hitting the floor.
After getting hit in the head Sundrop crouched back down and I grab the lid hoping that it wasn't already too late I'm bringing it back down on top of us.
A couple of moments passed by as we listened to the Sailor approach the Box that we were hiding in and set something down on top of it before walking away
Me not whispering: Stupid stupid stupid. we haven't set out to sea yet why did I think it was a good idea to get out of the box hope for the crew were even done loading the cargo
Sundrop hissing at me : Shhh you'll give us away.
Knowing she was right I restrained my frustration and we uncomfortably sat in silence for the next couple of hours as the crew continued loading cargo
Even though I was uncomfortable I still managed to fall asleep due to a old created habit I made when I was still going to school.
I woke up everytime Sundrop shifted around because of uncomfortability but immediately fell back to sleep when I didn't think I was being captured.
Sundrop: are you sleeping?
Me: no.
Sundrop: you are! you're sleeping! how can you be sleeping in a situation like this?
I'm…
I cut off By wrapping my hand around her snout SunDrop before she continued shouting quietly.
You forgot what shouting quietly sounded like? Ugh… It's described as speaking as loudly as you dare.
The problem was she was still being too loud and it because I was basically unconscious I don't know if there was someone sitting on top of the crate listening to everything we said.
Me angrily whispering: Okay yes, I admit I was sleeping but it's better than telling everyone on the ship while we're at.
Sundrop calming down: yeah you're right. I'm just getting really frustrated because we're cramped in this tiny little box.
We sit in another moment of silence as I extend my senses beyond the inside of the box; mostly sound and feeling.
The cargo hold was silent and I could feel the rock of the ship on the waves.
Me: Okay I think the coast is clear this time. Help me lift this lid off.
And with her overwhelming Dragon strength she overestimated the weight of the Box on top of the lid and caused it to fall onto the floor making the box break and the contents scatter.
Me: f***
I pull the lid back down on top of us as Sundrop let It go
Not too soon either As I hear the talons of one of the crew descending the stairs.
Sundrop and I sat in silence as we listened to the Sailor cleaning up the mess we made and swearing to themself about rats and thinking aloud of why they were getting so big lately Before putting the Box back on top of our create.
After the sailor goes back on Deck we lift the lid of the crate back up carefully this time after I told Sundrop to be patient enough to wait for me to help.
Getting out of the crate the both of us stretch our limbs and take in our surroundings.
It looks just like you would think a cargo hold would look like.
dark and damp with crates end of barrels tied to the Hull of the ship with cargo nets to prevent them from shifting and rolling about.
There is something that I didn't expect though. Unlike the movies I was used to the lower deck wasn't lit up with oil lamps. But instead a Large hexagonal glass pyramid protruding through the main deck filling the Lower Deck with natural light.
Sundrop: what is that?
Me: it's a deck prism. It's not often heard about from where I come from but it's used to light up the lower decks with natural light. Sailors use it sometimes because it's cheaper than running oil lamps 24/7
Sundrop: I mean I guess that works.
Me: Either way we can't stay in the same spot forever we need to find a new hiding spot as well as something to eat.
Sundrop: would there be anything to eat on this ship? I mean I'm only assuming because they were prohibiting carnivores for whatever reason.
Me: racism.
Sundrop: Yeah. But would they have anything other than seeds on this ship?
Me: You're right. I mean I can go without protein for a while but you need that stuff to Live.
*Thinking out loud* there's really only two options. Either we hunt down those rats he was talking about and hope that they don't hear the raucous. Or just stop being sneaky all together and just go fishing outside where everyone can see us.
Sundrop: we could always eat the crew.
Me: I guess that's a plan. but I want to save that for last cuz I don't want to Pilot the ship by myself.
Sundrop: but you're not by yourself.
Me raising an eyebrow: have you ever sailed a ship before?
Sundrop: …No.
Me: Are you okay with slaughtering and eating a bunch of sentient creatures?
Sundrop: I mean it's not the first time we've eaten sentient creatures before.
Me: what do you mean?
Sundrop: you went back and got that Pony flesh from the dead people on the train remember.
I seriously considered lying to her.
Me: Have you told Amber?
Sundrop: No. If I told her that we were eating her own kind at that time she would have freaked out.
Me: Then why are we having this conversation?
Sundrop: because I'm bored as Tartarus.
Diary entry number 60
It's been several days now.
We spent the majority that time being bored and holed up in the cargo hold hiding in barrels and crates whenever someone came down.
Sundrop Decided she wanted fresh fish and just went hunting for that after the sailors had gone to bed.
I was against it but I wasn't going to argue with something that was usually four times as strong as I was, that can also breathe fire.
I went with her of course to keep watch and to make sure nobody saw her.
We were sitting on the deck as she ate her most recent catch conversing with each other.
Sundrop: I'm getting real tired of hiding.
me: yeah?
Sundrop: I'm not weak and starving anymore. I can fight these guys off now.
Me: …
Sundrop: what?
Me: Just wondering if that competitive nature is in all dragons.
Sundrop: why?
me: because if it is that would explain why you are an endangered species
Sundrop asked in an agitated voice: And how is that?
Me: assuming my knowledge is correct. it's a mixture of your longevity, your pride plus that competitiveness I just spoke about.
Put that in a world that hates carnivores as much as it apparently does and add those cannons I saw on the train into the mix.
Unless dragons adapt to the world that is quickly developing new technology they will be left behind and hunted to Extinction.
*whispering to myself* it wouldn't be the first time it happened.
Sundrop is lost in thought.
Me: being big and powerful won't work in the modern world. I can see it happening just like it did back where I came from. They've got steam engines and Explosives.
If the same acceleration of technological advancements happens here as it did back in my homeland the first thing that will be taken out by it will be the ones that are naturally the biggest and strongest. And unless you have a young age of maturity in comparison to your lifespan there will be more dragons dying then being born.
And if my predictions are correct a lot of the Dragon died during this war that happened 20 years ago.
It's quite likely you are the last dragon alive.
It was hard to catch but I did hear a little shutter in Sundrop's voice as she spoke.
Sundrop: What happened?
Me: Humanity happened. I think long long in the past Humanity were the ones being hunted to extinction because they didn't have any natural weapons. ‘I held up one of my hands to show her’
and we don't have talons or sharp teeth, nor do we have hard scales, and we aren't particularly strong or fast. We can't fly or see in the dark, we're not even very stealthy. The only thing we seem to have going for us in this world is our endurance.
Our endurance and are incomparable competitiveness. Each and everyone of us seems to have a burning competitive desire in our hearts, Not just the desire to survive, but to win. win what exactly? that is usually left up to the individual. But that's what it was, the desire to win at any cost. And that competitive desire lead Humanity to either tame all of our natural enemies and kill all those who resisted, to Extinction if need be.
…The dragons in my homeland we're too prideful to accept defeat. especially to some tiny naked ape who had no natural defenses.
The only intelligent creatures left in my homeland are humans. everything else is either tamed livestock or harmless wildlife.
Sundrop is just staring at me in shock at this point.
Me: And it doesn't stop there. even after we tamed everything and killed everything else we still felt the desire to win.
But there was nothing left to challenge us… except ourselves.
And the first biggest war Humanity ever had came into fruition. a war so big that every tribe of all the lands took part.
Both sides of the war did anything they could to win. they throw away their morality and turn themselves into demons.
They destroyed cities, burned the land and boiled the rivers. Even the air wasn't safe to breathe at times because of the weapons humans built.
I don't know what Sundrop was doing at this point I was too focused rooting through the depth of my mind making sure my words were constructed properly before they it left my mouth
Me: And you think they would learn their lesson the first time. but they didn't. I'd say it was less than a hundred years before they decided to do a war of that scale again. except it was worse.
Because of the first war technology had advanced considerably because both sides of the war wanted to have bigger and better guns than the other side.
People of a specific religion were halld away in train cars into slave camps and were either poisoned or worked to death.
There were so many bodies. malnourished, fatigued, and battered, dumped into mass graves. Those lands remain cursed to this day.
And it goes further still.
one side of the War grew weary and decided to end it… with a bang. an explosion so bright it made the noon Skies go dark, it was so hot that people were incinerated instantaneously only leaving outlines of their figure on the buildings behind them.
The explosion was so powerful but even after it was over the magical energy that was there Went wild and angry, and tore people apart from the inside.
With my mind decided to queue me back into reality I heard the fading sounds of a massive explosion.
Not like a real explosion though. It was localized, like playing through a small speaker; A normal explosion would have left an echo.
Me: wait. What was that?
Sundrop with a distant look in her eyes: I'm going to have nightmares for the rest of my life.
And as the two of us sat there Sundrop with the look of horror on her draconic face End the look of confusion On mine.
The light from the Moon Shone down upon us with twice the intensity it should have. the confusion still on my face I turned to look towards the Moon wondering why has grown so bright. just to see there was another Celestial body in the sky.
Looking up into the heavens I saw the faces of two separate Moon's looking down upon me
Me: What the f***?
Sundrop just continued staring at the spot where I was sitting not even noticing that I had stood up.
The lookout in the Crow's Nest Must have woken up due to the extra light And woke the other Sailors, screaming down to them. And the other sailors poured out of the lower decks, their eyes first drawn to me drawing their swords before they followed my line of sight to the sky as I continued staring up in wonder.
And when I noticed the confusion coming out of their eyes as well the logical explanation I was coming up with of me just Not noticing the extra Celestial body on this planet was crashed into a pulp
random sailor looking at me: you! you did this! *gesturing to the moons*
Me: Me? how the hell do you think I could have done that?
random sailor: I don't know but I know you did it. you and that Dragon over there. * it looks at the other Sailors who are watching us and of gestures to Sundrop* kill it.
Outnumbered and outmatched I drove both my sword and my firearm End with a Stern voice of warning I spoke “you touch a single scale on that dragon's head I will kill you. And I'll give you fair warning right now. If you even try to approach her at this point in time you risk your own life”
“And how do you plan on stopping us” one of the sailors said.
“Well my first plan was trying to get you to listen to logic…” I started to say but was interrupted
“Listen? to a stowaway and a monster?” who I'm guessing the first mate barked out.
Me: Hey! She's not a monster. And we would have never would have stowed away if you guys weren't so f****** racist
First mate: it doesn't matter. kill him.
I really didn't want to fight then but I could tell that they would go to hell before they listen to me
And they moved in to attack.
Two in front of me and one at the bow of the ship and the first mate flew up and landed on the mast and took aim.
A Flurry of Blows from the 2 in front of me made my sword ring but I managed to block all Of their attacks. I attacked one of them, hurting him badly as the one at the bow of the ship acquainted her fingers at me and sent a bolt of lightning toward me.
The Sailor I just Injured took the blow and was thrown into me, one of his swords cutting my arm. The other fellow that was standing in front of me reached out and grabbed my sword wrapping his talents around the crossguard, Yanking it from my grasp and attacking me with it.
Realizing the emergency I quickly drew my pistol and gunned down the mage.
I feel a white-hot pain is that almost brings me to my knees as the first mate sends a ball of lead from his Flintlock through my leg.
The sailor wielding my sword attempted to attack me, but I blew a hole straight through his left shoulder sending him back a few paces.
The pain blurring my sight with tears I point my gun up and try to shoot down the first mate as he reloads.
To great success as I hear the tunk Of his body hitting the deck.
But that's when I got stabbed and the only thing I remember after that Is Sundrop biting somebody's head off and shielding me from an explosion.