Title:           Armor and Anon's Adventure - Part 2
Author:          DrMel
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/T0EsKYn3
First Edit:      Monday 30th of November 2015 03:30:35 PM CDT
Last Edit:       Monday 30th of November 2015 03:30:35 PM CDT

One day from the previous events...
> Clack!
> "Let me go man!"
> The Griffons warm breath tickled your face as you push him against the wall.
> It was the middle of daytime but eh...
> You didn't care.
"Give me your money first punk."
> "Anon..."
> Shining sighed and rubbed his temple with a hoof.
> "This isn't what I meant when I said to-"
"Hey! I found a way to get money man. You still need a doctor."
> "I-I ain't got much man."
> Do-ho-ho.
"I don't care."
> "Anon..." Shining muttered.
> An invisible grip tugged on your turtleneck.
> You let go of the Griffon out of shock.
> He took off into the sky like a rocket.
“Hey! He's getting away!”
> “IF, we're going to get bits. We're going to do it the honest way.”
> ….
“Mugging?”
> “No!”
> You fold your arms over your chest.
“And what do you propose is the honest way?”
> “Well… we're going to be stuck here for a bit… and we can't stay homeless forever, sleeping under the bridge last night was not fun.”
> Eh…
> He was just used to a life of luxury you suppose.
> You give him a toothy smile.
“But it had been fun! I got to stargaze for a bit.”
> “Since when do you stargaze?”
“Since now.”
> “Anon.”
“Shining.”
> “Look, if we're going to get anywhere we need to start off-”
“At the Doctors office. I mean look at you, you're fucked to hell.”
> Shining shook his head.
> “Just a couple of bruises and cuts. I can work on this.”
“Work?”
> Ew…
> Back at the Crystal empire your job consisted of moving boxes and yelling at some undermen.
> It sucked but it kept you humble.
> You liked to think that anyway.
> “Okay. I don't know what city we're in yet but it looks as if business is abundant here.”
“Boomin~”
> “So we'll start off with the easiest job.”
> You raise an eyebrow.
> "Anon, put on a smile for goodness sake."He whisered.
> You fold your arms over your chest and slump lower in your chair.
> Your sneer could be comparable to the Grinch on his worst day.
> The smell of fried food wafted all around the two of you as costumers rushed back and forth.
"This sucks."
> "Anon!" Shining hissed through grit teeth.
> He wasn't angry with you but rather smiling... at the interviewer right across the table of you.
> The pink unicorn mare raised an eyebrow and flicked her eyes between the two of you.
> Turns out that despite the way you two looked; getting an interview had almost been instant here.
> Which made sense because this was a fucking FAST FOOD PLACE!
> You groan and throw your hands up.
> "Uhhh... ignore him. We've just been through a lot recently." Shining said with a bashful smile.
> The mare raised her eyebrow even higher.
> "He...doesn't look too enthusiastic about this."
> Oh!
> You pull your hands away from your chest and begin to clap loudly.
"There you go! You're smarter than you like Bubble gum!"
> "Anon!" Shining hissed again.
"No!"
> You shoot up from your spot.
"I'm not falling into the shackles of oppression that is a fast food restaurant!"
> "I wouldn't really say this place is oppresive, we make ten bits an hour plus dental and medical coverage."
"Bullshit vixen!"
> "Anon!"
> The customers began to look in your direction.
> Whispers rose among the sizzling food and orders being shouted.
"I will never be forced to provide the time of MY day working in some backwash-"
> Shining suddenly hopped upwards.
> "Okay! Thank you for this interview mam!"
> Was he serious?
> He wasn't going to stop your speech.
> You grip the sides of the table and get inches away from the mares face.
"Do you hear me!?"
> "Dude!" Shining's hooves wrapped around your abdomen.
> He let out a strained gut as he struggled to pull you away.
> You weren't going to budge.
> You would never budge.
> This mare needed to be educated.
> SLAM!
> The condiments and shakers decorating the table toppled over as your fist connected with the tables top.
> The mare jumped.
> Good.
> You had her on the ropes.
"Never! You hear me!"
> Shining managed to pry you away from the table.
> "Let's-ngh... go ANON!"
> You struggle against his grip; jumping at the mare like some kind of snarling animal.
"You talk to me like that again and I'll shove your teeth down you throat!"
> "S-Security!"
"Call your damn oppression police! I ain't afraid of-"
> A stacked Minotaur removed his tie and lumbered forward.
"Ah shit! Shining start running!"
> "What?"
> He popped his head from your back; hooves still wrapped around your abdomen.
> All he saw was the Minotaur getting ready to charge.
> His bloodshot eyes flicked back and forth between the two of you.
> Suddenly he plowed forwards his heavy foot-falls echoing around the restaurant.
> "AHHHH!!!"
"AHHH!!!"
> CRASH!
 
"Omph!"
> Shining slammed down next to you with a pained grunt.
> "And stay out!" The Minotaur shouted.
> You pick yourself up and shake your head rapidly.
> Uhg...
> Felt like a train ran you over.
> "Are you proud of yourself now?"
"Not really, we didn't get the job."
> "Wha-you-what!?"
"Ten bits an hour plus dental and medical coverage? That ain't bad to be honest."
> "But-"
"But it's just going to distract us. The first thing we need to do is get down to Twilight Shiny and save our asses."
> Shining went silent.
> You stand to your full-height and dust yourself off.
"Now, what we need first is a guide or something. Someone who knows the quickest route to Ponyville."
> You turn to him as you dust off your shoulder.
"This ain't some kinda rom-com or something. We can't live together for the next three days, trying to-"
> "I'm going to stop you here, Seriously..."
> You shrug.
"Eh."
> "Okay... so what do you propose we do next? I can put my word on it that we do not want a royal traveler, they're all going to get wind of what happened at the empire soon."
"Eh, so no royalty."
> "Anon, I believe we're even further than Equestria. We might be over-seas."
"Okay, look I'm willing to believe you had enough potential to transport us halfway across your own land."
> You chuckle and shake your head.
"But to transport us over-seas? Ridiculous."
> You turn and flag down a passing pack-mule.
"Excuse me my good man."
> He stopped and stared up at you silently.
"Where exactly in Equestria are we?"
> You lean back and fold your arms with a satisfied smile.
> Just you wait...
> "You're not in Equestria..."
"Ke-"
> You drop your previously righteous stance and nearly fall over.
"What are you talking about!?"
> "You're far from Equestria mate. If you took a ship you would be there in about three-four days."
> No way...
> You turn to Shining who seemed to be shocked himself.
"Well shit."
> You smile maliciously.
> Shining's ears folded back as he glanced back between you and the ground.
> "Don't say it."
"Say what?"
> "What you always say when we end up somewhere unexpected."
"I would never."
> "Seriously-"
"Looks like we're not in Kansas anymore Toto."
> He sighed and pinched the bridge of his muzzle.
> Heh...
> You turn back to the mule.
"Anywho my good man, do you know anybody that could get us there?"
> He shook his head.
> "If I was' you I'd try the local bar on the bad side of town.
> Okay one, why did his accent change so suddenly?
> Two, was he trying to get the two of you killed?
> Despite being a little roughed up if you went to the badside of anywhere you looked neater than the rest of the town.
> And considering those who looked better got their shit kicked in...
"Come on Moonshine, this guy ain't worth our time."
> You make an exaggerated exit by stomping your way down the street away from the mule.
> Wait for it...
> "Okay, hold on wait!"
> Heh.
> Just like people they would always seek approval from strangers.
> "There is a bar about two blocks down, there's a kid that knows her way around the town AND the seas."
"Thank you my good man!"
> The mule said something that just sounded like a mish-mash of noise.
> You didn't care you had already started strutting towards the bar.
> "Thank you." Shining said.
> His hooves clopped against the ground as he came to your side.
> He stopped and kept up with a light trot.
> "This is bad Anon..."
"How so?"
> Well you can tell by the was I use my walk~
> "A three to four day trip, and possibly another two days to reach Twilight. Anon that gives Cadance more than enough time to spread a rumor among my community, she's probably talking to the princess right now about it."
"Eh."
> "Eh!"
> He skidded to a stop and shoved your leg.
> Oh no your strut!
> You stop as well with an annoyed sigh.
"Yes, you lovable and totally not annoying creature?"
> You give him a joking smile that was not returned.
> "If this was a normal mare Anon we would probably have our faces slapped on a couple of 'wanted' posters for a week."
> You scratch your leg.
> "But this is a PRINCESS. Whatever she says happened is going to be believed, we show our faces in Equestria and we're dead meat."
"Soooo....?"
> "I think we should stay here. Find a job and just work our way up, this place doesn't look so bad."
> You look around at the strange architecture.
> Hmm....
"Nah."
> "What!?"
"No, Nadda, Zip, Negatory."
> "Wh-what why?"
> You begin to head towards the bar again.
"Shining, I'm not going to sit here and let your name be tainted all because Cadance was acting like a cat in heat."
> "But that is FINE!"
> You stop.
> By now some of the streets residents were staring at the two of you.
> "Let them think what they want to think! It's better than getting killed over a simple arguement."
"Wow."
> You step forward and pat his head.
"You are acting like the biggest pussy right now."
> His jaw hung open as you step back.
"Think about your sister dude, what about your family? You're going to let them think you're the bad guy all because you don't want to confront this?"
> He frowned and lowered his head.
"I ain't gonna let that happen to a friend man."
> 'Damn right bro...'
> Oh dammit it's your conscience again.
> 'Oh baby that's freaky... go fetch my protein powder.'
> Ignore him.
> Shining sighed and shook his head slowly.
> "Okay... fine, we can give it a shot. But if you die on me we're not friends anymore."
"Pfft, that's a lie and you know it."
> You give him a smile as you lead the way down the street.
> Huh...
> It just dawned on you that you never actually asked the Stallion what bar it was...
> Because their were at least five of them on this street alone.
> A diversity of species made their way around the street, going in and out of different decorated buildings.
"Uhhh..."
> Shining trotted past you with a chuckle.
> "He said go to the 'Shack'."
> You pause and pocket your hands in your cargos.
"Shack of...?"
> "That's it...just the 'Shack'."
"That's a rubbish name."
> "Not like I came up with it."
> Hmmm...
> You glance back at the bustling street in front of the two of you.
> A bar shaped like a barrel...
> Cliche.
> A gothic style bar.
> Gross...
> Another bar that looked more like a rave than anything.
> Super gross...
> You stop on a run down shack.
> Like a literal shack.
> It had no place among the other bombs nor the city itself.
> You nudge Shining's withers and point at the shack.
"That looks close enough."
> The two of you make your way towards the ran down shack.
 
> You follow in after Shining.
> The door practically fell apart upon your entrance.
> The two of you stop and look around.
"Wow..."
> "Hm?"
"This place is an absolute dump."
> The inside was no better off than the outside.
> The fact that this area was falling apart toppled with the fact that it was so small you were practically inches away from the counter you could see why this was ignored over the others bars.
> "I'll be out in a second!"
> The two of you shared a look.
> "She certainly sounds aggressive..."
> Thud!
> Clack!
> Crash!
> You and Shining wait silently as something happened behind the counter.
> Suddenly a shabby hidden door flung open.
> A pissed griffon stepped out and slammed into the counter.
"What do you want Dweebs!?"
> "Uhhh, we would like-"
> You stuff your hand into Shining's face.
> He was your bro yeah...
> But he needed to shut his trap for a second.
> That plumage.
> Her eyes, the purple around them.
> The golden pupils.
> The feathers.
> Unf~
> You step forward and lean against the counter.
> Hardly enough room for you to be smooth but whatever.
> The Griffon gave you an annoyed stare as you waggle your eyebrows.
"Hey there girl..."
> "...Hello."
> Her hard gaze did nothing but increase your resolve.
"My friend and I hear there's someone who can help us out with navigating the seas."
> "Well-"
"But the only help I can possibly see here is you...helping me... in bed."
> You were so reeling her in.
> Shining pushed his way past you with a grunt.
> "My friend and I need help getting back to Equestria."
> The Griffons leaps curled into a grimace, the beak unmoving.
> "Yeah... my grand-father and I know the way. But it's gonna cost you, I don't come cheap."
"But uh... I do."
> You saunter your way back in.
> Time to use your charm and incredible wit to charm your way into her heart.
> And bury yourself in that lion-like flank.
> Unf~
> "Ignore...Anonymous..."
> You stare deeply into her golden orbs.
"I can tie a cherry stem with my tongue."
> You waggle your brows again.
“Wanna...see?”
> Shining let out a long groan.
> “I really don't think I do.”
“Aww poo-”
> CRASH!
“OW!”
> You found your face being held to the cold counter.
> The Griffon leaned closer to your ear.
> “Stop… hitting on me freak.” She growled.
> With that she let you go.
> You pop back up and rub your aching head.
> That was uncalled for.
> “A-Anon are you sporting wood from that?”
“A little.”
> Shining turned away with another sigh.
> The Griffon gave you a disgusted look.
> She totally digged you.
> "Anyway." Shining glanced at your pitched tent briefly before turning away with a grimace. "Do you think you can help us Miss...."
> "Gilda." The Griffon grunted. "And I can, but like I said earlier dweebs it ain't cheap."
> Huh...
> Gilda...
> Gilda the Girlfriend.
> Sounded just about right.
> It would roll right off of the tongue, no?
> "Well that's the problem..."
> The rundown shack went silent as the two stared each other down.
> "We don't have any money..."
> "Then leave! I've got real costumers to look after."
> You scratch your chin and glance around the shack.
> This girl was hot but she was stupid.
"Oh yes. Sooo many customers."
> "Anon don't start."
> She fixed a glare on you.
> "Why yes! I've got plenty of customers looking for quality mead!"
"Oh yeah because-"
> You throw your arms out in a grand gesture.
"All of these guys are waiting behind us!"
> Gilda muttered something under her breath.
"All of these customers awaiting!"
> "Erm, excuse him. He gets like that."
> You did not!
> You fold your arms over your chest and glare at Gilda.
> You were so over her.
> The thing you had was nothing more than a dying spark.
"Go fuck yourself."
> A brief flash of rage ran across her eyes.
> "Piss off you freaky monkey looking thing!"
"I'm not a monkey! I am a Human, the most advanced sentient creature on this planet...”
> You quickly itch your crotch.
> “Riiiight… just go… now.”
“Or what?”
> “I'll throw you out.”
> Shining stepped forward.
> “Look! Listen, I'm a prince!”
> This seemed to catch her attention.
> She snapped her beak shut and stared at Shining silently.
> Oh…
> “Yes! When we get to Equestria I can pay you all of the bits you want!”
> “Is this for real?” Gilda questioned.
> “Yes.”
> She bought a nasty pair of razor-sharp talons to her chin thoughtfully.
> “A handsome prince and his jester show up at my doorstep...”
> Jester?
"I'm not the jester!"
> "You kind of are." Shining agreed.
"What!? How so?"
> "Quiet dweeb!"
> You snap your mouth shut and throw your hands up.
"Kay! I'm just going to dick around while you two discuss."
> You flick your head back and forth looking for something to mess with.
> "Tell me why I should trust your word Mister Prince."
> Oh, that looked interesting.
> Shining let out a huff. "We're a long way from home as you can tell."
> You tap the aged statue of some kind of Griffon decorating the only shelf in the shack.
> "Though it may not be much; my word stays true and true."
> You flick one of the statues wings.
> You quickly found out that it was made not from stone but rather from some hollowed glass-like material.
> Tink!
> The wing snapped off like a twig.
> Shit...
> "We were... wrongly accused and cheated by one of the princesses of Equestria."
> You mutter a curse as you bring the wing back to the statue in attempt to fix it.
> "I can't go much more into it, but I can guarantee your payment if you help us get there."
> Tink!
> The other wing snapped off as easily as the first.
> Well shit.
> "...Okay... But if this is some lie to get off without paying, then your necks will find itself without your pretty faces."
"You think my face is pretty?"
> "Not you, him. Your face is rather ugly."
> Oh...
> You flick a glance back at the tiny statue.
> All expression left your face as you simply push it off of the shelf.
> Crack!
> Done and done.
> "Okay... good." Shining started. "We need to start moving as soon as possible."
> Gilda chuckled and shook her head.
> "No dweebs we play on my terms. We don't head out until tomorrow, I've got others to take care of before you two."
"What!?"
> "I agree, we just need to get to Equestria as fast as possib-OMPH!"
> You shove past the beefy stallion.
> Sorry Shining.
"Who could possibly be more important than us?"
> Shining shoved his way back to relevance.
> "This is urgent!"
> A sneer fell over her face.
> "I've got a family here. They're going to know anything before I head of on some silly adventure with a possible liar and-"
> She turned to you and gave you a once over.
> "Rapist."
"Pfft, I'm not a Cosby."
> "That turtleneck and wood you're sporting says otherwise." She muttered.
"I....resent that."
> "Mhm... I have a spot you dweebs can crash until I'm ready."
> You nudge Shining.
> He led you into a huddle.
> "Okay... this is obviously not our only option."
"Yeah but she's the fastest. What if it takes us five days to find another way as opposed to one?"
> "Exactly, and she believes the Prince stuff, we don't have to have bits at the moment."
> You nod in agreement.
"More importantly this one is hot."
> 'I thought you were over her.'
> Love knows no end...
> Ever...
> "Okay, so we play by her terms and get back to Equestria... then what?"
> You shrug.
"Idunno, thought we would just wing it."
> "Anon... this could potentially end our lives if we approach this the wrong way."
"Like I said dude. We can wing it."
> "Anon, no, please."
"It's decided!"
> You whirl around and shoot a thumbs up to Gilda.
"We're on board with your terms."
> She didn't smile nor blink upon hearing this.
> "Good." She simply muttered.
"So uh..."
> You pocket your hands.
"Where do you have for us to sleep."
> A malicious grin took her features.
 
“This sucks.”
> You pull the scratchy woolie blanket tighter.
“This sucks incarnate.”
> “Quit belly achin' Anon, you've lived in worse conditions than this.”
“Yeah but that was on purpose.”
> You kick your feet outwards.
“She's making us sleep together in a kids bed man!”
> “Better than under the bridge.”
“Better than under the bridge.”
> You flap your lips loudly as you mimic him.
“Seriously...”
> You gesture to the moonlight creeping in through the window.
“Like this isn't that one story.”
> “What one story?”
“You know, the one with the kid?”
> “What kid?”
"The kid!"
> "What kid!?"
"The kid in the story!"
> "What kid in a story!?"
> You sigh loudly and toss; the whole bed nearly giving out under the two of you.
> Truth be told sleeping next to Shining was like sleeping next to one of those big teddy-bears back home.
> Save for its sentience.
"Like.. that one moon story."
> You could already feel the intense stare burning into your back.
> How did he not get it?
> It was pretty simple.
> It was that one story, with that one kid, that did that one thing.
> "Anyway... get some rest."
 
> ...
"Nghhh..."
> You shuffle in your spot.
"Ngghhhh!"
> You toss out of the spot.
"NGGHHH!!"
> You begin to spasm in the bed.
> The whole thing creaked and rocked as you threw what was essentially biggest dance party a single man could hold horizontally.
> "Oh my Celestia Anon! What is it this time!?"
"I'm hot."
> You loll your head to the side; coming face to face with Shining's blood shot eyes.
> He made no attempt to blink nor look remotely tired, instead just staring lifelessly into your soul.
> "Go, to, sleep."
> You smile and hop out of the bed.
"Nah."
> You let out a yawn as you stretch and pop your arms outwards.
"I'ma go see what I can find in the middle of an unknown city at night.”
> Shining sighed.
> "I'm not even going to argue. Good luck Anon, wake me in the morning."
> His loss.
> You creep out of the door.
> You had one thing and one thing only in mid.
> If the two of you were going to do anything remotely interesting.
> You needed...
 
> CRASH!
> You reel back from the toss.
> You had put everything into shattering the glass with a large garbage can.
"Matching outfits!"
> You squealed this like a girl and step over the broken shards, collecting different articles of clothing.
"This is better than mugging!"
> “Who's there!?”
> You snatch up what little things you can and sprint like a madman from the scene.
 
> "So let me get this straight."
> You quirk an eyebrow as you check out your new outfit in the dirty mirror.
> It was still essentially the same, just a black hoodie halfway zipped up under a large black duster coat.
> Shining had reluctantly kept his outfit on.
> A black turtleneck like your own with a thin hoodie over, this was topped off with a pair of goggles comparable to wielding googles.
> Still no pants though.
> That weirdo.
> You claimed the outfits were tactical.
> Truth be told you just think you rocked black.
> But never black and red.
> Then things tended to get...edgy.
> Shining joined you in the mirror.
> "And you got these last night while I was sleeping?"
"Mhm."
> "How?"
"Persuasion."
> The two of you still stood in the cramped room Gilda shoved you in.
> Though it was now daytime.
> It felt like you skipped most of the night but eh.
> At some point you shoved the clothes on Shining and passed back out in the bed.
> Oh well.
> You didn't care.
> You were rocking this overly-complicated outfit.
"When is that one girl coming in?"
> What was her name again?
> "Gilda?"
> Hmmm...
> You were sure her real name was 'Omph' or 'Crush' but you would go along with it just in case.
"Yeah."
> "She's making last minute preparations."
"Ah... What do you think of the outfits?"
> "I don't know where you found them and I'm a little worried about how they were obtained."
"Don't be such a worry wart, we earned these bro."
> "... Rrrright.."
> You pocket your hands in the duster coat.
> You lean forwards and grin; running your tongue over your teeth.
> Still looking fine.
> It's good to look as fine as you feel you've always said.
> Shining frowned and stepped away from you.
> "Anon I'm worried."
"Why?"
> Maybe you needed a pair of goggles too.
> "What is Cadance doing right now?"
"Eh, don't worry about that. I'm sure it's nothing that we can't take.”
> Maybe a suit with this outfit would be better instead of the turtleneck.
> "While we've been sitting here what has she been doing though?"
> "What is the princesses are on her side by now. Armies, The Elements!"
> You roll your eyes.
"I doubt ANY of that is actually happening man."
> You turn back to the mirror.
"Now... do you think I should keep the turtleneck or persuade someone to get me a suit?"
> "Anon... I've got a question."
"Hm?"
> "Where did you find clothes specifically tailored to you?"
> ....
"I...I don't know."
 
> A train powered down the tracks towards the town known as 'Ponyville'.
> Though this train was built to be more luxurious than others it definitely came off as more of a death machine than anything else.
> The Crystal Train...
> And it heralded one rather unwelcoming guest.
> The train screeched to a stop.
> Six mares waited patiently at the train station.
> They muttered among themselves as the doors slid open.
> Save for one...
> Twilight Sparkle.
> She gave the figure a worried look before galloping forwards.
> "Cadance!"
> The figure stepped forward and shared a hug with the lavender mare.
> "Oh Twilly..."
> "I got your letter! I'm so sorry!"
> Cadance shook her head silently.
> "Nothing could be done. I knew Anonymous was bad news from the beginning but to fill Shining's head with lies like this."
> Twilight grimaced.
> "It's happened before...with Chrysalis. I didn't think his old battle buddy would be so...evil." She agreed.
> "You've read the letter Twilight, and even when I am with child he just blindly followed everything that madman spoke."
> She frowned and hugged Twilight even tighter.
> "But Armor can be saved..."
> She pulled back and gave Twilight a reassuring smile.
> "But we need to do something way worse than just simply trap Anon or reform him like the others... Twilight... if you want Shining back- the real Shining Armor, then Anonymous cannot live to see another day..."
> Twilight reeled back.
> "I-Uh- What!?"
> "Hold up!" AJ grunted stepping forwards.
> "Ah was okay keeping mah trap shut, but this is might' evil suggesting we kill somepony."
> "Yeah!" Dash agreed. "I'm starting to think things are not as they seem... CHRYSALIS!"
> A rainbow blur rocketed towards Cadance.
> She simply put up a pink shield that Rainbow crashed into.
> "Ow..."
> "Please girls, hear me out…" She pleaded.
> "I don't know... I can't see why this can't be solved in a different way."
> "He's coming to kill you all!" Cadance shouted.
> She punctuated this by stomping a hoof into the ground, rocking the entire station.
> "I heard him! He's fixing my Shining to come down here and kill you all."
> "Why would he do that?" Fluttershy mumbled.
> "It does seem kind of strange how someone we've never met wants to take us out." AJ added.
> "I'm not asking for this completely. But I implore you girls to consider your options, this creature is absolutely mad, he'll stop at nothing to get what he wants."
> "I don't know..." Twilight sighed. "I-If it was coming from anypony else I couldn't believe it... but when it comes from you I can trust your word..."
> The two shared another hug.
> The other girls shared strange looks.
> "Well... Applebloom is one summer away from middle school, ah can't risk her safety... not one bit."
> "As with Sweetie Belle." Rarity added. "If this mad creature actually is on its way with intent to kill, then I believe we should take the utmost action."
> "Good... good..." Cadance said.
> "I'm in...” Dash muttered. “I still don't buy it, but if it IS true… then I'm not letting this ugly thing anywhere near my town.”
> The girls turned to Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie.
> The two stared back at the girls.
> Pinkie Pie was the first to crack.
> “I don't think we should kill it!”
> “And why is that?” Cadance said with a sneer.
> “I mean, look at how many things have come close to killing us girls! We've always found other ways.”
> Cadance found her teeth grinding in response.
> "Come on girls... we must discuss this in the castle."
> She silently led the girls away from the station.
> Though this would take awhile.
> She would convince the girls to do the right thing.
> She would get Shining back, no matter what the cost.
 
"Waddya think?"
> Shining grunted in response.
> "Anon... stop looking at the water and help lift!"
> You smack your lips with disappointment and step away from the docks edge.
"I'm just saying I think the outfits rock."
> "Anon!"
> You roll your eyes and rush forward.
> Ducking down you help steady him and the barrel he had been carrying.
> "Careful with those barrels dweebs! Fresh water isn't cheap!"
> Shining let out a relieved sigh as you helped him lead it towards the boats docking ramp.
> A sheet of sweat ran down his face.
> He had shed your makeshift outfit long ago, already finding the sun getting to him.
> It would've for you if you weren't just lolly-gagging most of the day away.
> The two of you moved up the ramp towards the rusted hunk of metal that Gilda called a boat
> Seriously it looked as if it would fall apart just by touching it.
> You drop the barrel onto a stack of others.
"Phew, that sure was hard work right?"
> Shining shot you a glare.
> You wave a dismissive hand.
"Eh, whatever."
> You stretch and scratch your back
"Hey Gilda!"
> "What!?"
"What do you call this tincan!?"
> "My foot up your ass if you keep talking shit!"
> Yeesh.
> Shining let out a low laugh.
"Do you find this amusing?"
> "Not at all."
"Because it isn't."
> "I don't."
> He gave you a smug smile.
> Whatever.
"Are we ready yet?"
> "Almost, there's a couple more adjustments to make..."
> As she said this she glided down and came to a stop a couple of feet across from the two of you.
> "Have you seen the steering wheel?"
> ....
> For the love of-
> Gilda let out a hum of curiosity and moved off towards the end of the boat.
> Shining reached up and pulled you in close.
> "Okay, NOW I'm starting to have second thoughts."
"Nonsense, let's just get to Equestria preferably in one piece and go from there."
> "But look at this place!"
> You take a look around the boat.
> It was made up of some rusted, flaking metal.
> It was big enough to house at least ten others but looked too flimsy to do much beyond that.
> The deck was littered with barrels and crates all while the rotting wood housed what looked to be multiple unidentifiable insects.
> Looming above the two of you straight ahead was the end of the ship, raised so the Captain could steer with ease.
> Err... if there was a steering wheel.
> Gilda suddenly appeared next to the where it should've been.
> He held a rotting wheel and snapped it into the place with a satisfied smile.
> Ah...
> "I really am regretting this decision."
> Pfft.
"Stop being such a puss-bitch."
> You've got this in the bag.
> "You boys admiring my ship?" A shaky voice questioned.
> You and Shining turn to see a hunched, withered Griffon hobbling forward.
> He held a bottle in one hand and a cane in the other.
> "Ay, she's a little beaten up but she's more reliable than anything else."
> You and Shining turn and gaze at the more pristine ships lining the dock.
> "Yeah... Reliable..." Shining muttered.
> The old Griffon took a swig of the bottle.
> "Nice too meet ya boys, I'm Gerald! Gilda's grandfather."
> He stuck a… hand you think, out.
> You took it and shake gingerly.
> Didn't wanna hurt the old dude now.
> Shining gave him a firmer shake.
> "Wow! That's a nice hoofshake you've got there son."
> You squint as he gave him a warm smile.
> You take the Griffons claws in one hand and squeeze firmly; shaking your hand.
> "O-Oh, I must say you have a strong grip."
> You smile smugly at Shining.
> He raised an eyebrow.
> Suddenly he cleared his throat catching the Griffons attention.
> He gave another hoof-shake, eye fucking the old Griffon.
> Was this a challenge?
> Accepted.avi
> You spin on your heel and drop down to one knee.
> You take Geralds still outstretched claw and give it a peck.
> "I-I'm not going that far..." Shining muttered.
> "You just made me feel like a princess sir." Gerald announced with a smile.
"I hope so."
> Shining's face went blank as you nod at Gerald.
> "Oookay..." Shining trotted off to the head of the boat.
> You click your tongue and wave at Gerald.
> You follow him to the head of the ship away from the others and lean against a stack of crates.
"What's up?"
> "I'm still worried."
"Worried about nothing."
> "Not nothing Anon. My life is practically over."
"Practically, you're still alive aren't ya'?"
> He gave you a disinterested glance.
> "Maybe I should've tried to talk things out with her."
"Nope."
> Shining sighed and hopped up onto the railing.
> "Why?"
> It was just now that you started to notice the smell of sea-water.
> The sun hung high in the clear, blue sky; sending golden specs over the dancing water.
> All around you orders were being shout as dock hands ran back and forth.
> It wasn't until you got a moment to think that this kind of stuff began to set in.
"She was crazy dude, you saw the shit she did back there."
> "Maybe it was grief... or desperation."
"Or being off your rocker."
> "Dude!"
"Don't even say it, don't. She's not your wife anymore, she's some chad's cock sheath now."
> He stared down at the water with disheartenment.
> The boat suddenly jolted to life.
> Shining let out a shout.
> You slide forward and take hold of his withers; managing to keep him in place.
"She's against us man, and if things are going to go our way then we can't have second-thoughts.”
> He sighed.
> "Yeah, I guess so."
> "Hey dweebs, I'm going to show you how to tie some ropes."
> She could wait.
> Wait..
> You turn back to Gilda.
"I thought you were steering the ship?"
> "My Granddad is."
"Isn't he drunk?"
> Crash!
> You were guessing he was.
> You let out a curse and tumble to the decks cold, hard floor.
> So unforgiving.
> "Hey! Watch it with that ghost ship!" a deep voice boomed from up above.
> "Suck it!" Gilda shouted in response.
> "Did I hit something?" Gerald shouted from across the deck.
"No!"
> "Yes!" Shining shouted.
> You turn to Shining.
"Why aren't you wearing your outfit?"
> "That's it! I want that mess at the bottom of the sea boys!" the deep voice began to shout orders up above.
> A ship three times the size of your own seemingly descended upon your little crew out of nowhere.
> But ignore that.
> "Crap-" Gilda zipped off towards the steering wheel.
> Shining needed to get back in his clothes.
> Matching outfits~
> You tackle him to the ground.
> "Anon! What in tartarus!"
"Stay still!"
> The two of you began to wrestle each other.
> "Cannons... READY!" The deep voice shouted.
> "Granddad! Hard left!"
> The ship suddenly jolted to the left.
> The docks surprisingly gave way before the ship, splintering instantly.
> "Shit.. I mean right!"
> The ship jolted once more.
> The two of you tumbled off somewhere; the world shaking as you fought tooth and nail to get Shining back in his outfit.
> "Anon stop, this is serious!"
"So is this!"
> The sound of cannon-fire filled your ears.
> "Forwards!"
> Something hummed under the deck.
> Before you knew it the world was a blue and yellow blur.
> You and Shining flew through the air from the unexpected change.
"Just get it on-"
> "Stop it!"
"Don't be difficult!"
> Crack!
> The two of you slammed into stack of loose barrels.
> They emitted a symphony of thuds as you went to the ground along with them.
> The humming under the deck intensified.
> “Come on Gramps! They're right on us!”
> More cannon-fire.
> You hop up and pin Shining to the ground.
“Hah-hah!”
> With that you fall upon the stallion.
> The last glimpse of him you caught was his panicked stare.