The moon hung heavy and full in the night sky as longboats moored to the shore of the lake. Softstep watched as Crashing Wave dove into the dark blue waters of the vast lake that bordered the Moon Guild slave domes. His body melted into the water and he disappeared. She looked to Swansong and the blue mare nodded. They stepped off the boats onto the shore and made their way into the thick brush of the forest. Moonbeam followed close behind the unicorn mare. The foals he had been prot6ecting were safe back at their campsite up the river. He had decided to help them in freeing the slaves. They were to infiltrate the domes while Crashing Wave kept the lunar guards busy. He had been apprehensive at first to help them at first but after spending time with Softstep he had come to understand the mare shared the qualities that had been sought in Royal Guards of the past. [i]SKREEEEE[/i] Several of the pirates flinched at the sound that ripped through the air. [i]’Crashing’s started the diversion,’[/i] Softstep glanced back at the lake as the waters rippled around a construct bearing the resemblance of a hydra. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Lunar guards scrambled to the edges of the walls as one of the hydra construct’s heads lashed at the wall. It took a chunk out and threw it into the lake. “Form up and unleash all you have!” roared the Commander. The unicorns unleashed a volley of magic bolts at the thing. The spells fizzled against the current of rushing water that formed its body. One of the heads slammed into the wall and tendrils lashed out and seized the throats of those unlucky enough to be there. They were raised into the air as a water construct in the form of a pony stepped forward from the hydra construct. The construct fell away. “Yer judgments at hoof lads,” Crashing wave boomed as his body solidified. A sickening crack echoed through the air and the bodies of the unicorns that had been lifted into the air dropped to the ground. A pair of Paladins charged the alicorn, their broadswords raised. A pair of scimitars met the blades. “Yield,” one said through gritted teeth. Crashing smirked, barely feeling the pressure the unicorns put toward him,” Not in this lifetime mate.” With a grunt he shoved them back. They looked up to see him become a puddle. Twin spires of rushing water surged at them. One was able to dodge but his companion wasn’t so lucky. The water enveloped him and he found himself trapped in a sphere of water. “Πίεση των Βάθη.” The sphere imploded and the stallion was crushed into a gruesome ball of metal and flesh. The other Paladin recognized this type of magic,[i]’Elemental magic.’[/i] He charged forward and slashed at the alicorn with his blade, ready to avenge his fallen comrade. The blade met Crashing’s twin scimitars but the unicorn smiled,“ πιέζονται φλόγα.” A flash of white flame erupted from the tip of the unicorn’s horn and caught Crashing square in the muzzle. “Gaah!” he stumbled back. Pain became the only thing he knew as the flame seared his face. It took every bit of his focus to ready a spell,” Ύδατα της Ιερής Άνοιξη.” Water run up his body to his burned muzzle, killing the flames that danced across his blackened flesh. The water enveloped his muzzle and glowed as the damaged flesh was healed. The paladin readied his blade,” Yield False God. You won’t win this encounter.” As if to emphasize his point several other unicorns lined up behind him, reinforcements had arrived. Crashing glared at the unicorn before him with rage filled eyes. His twin scimitars flashed through the air and slammed against the paladin’s now raised blade. Crashing twirled, knocking the broadsword aside. His body became water and formed a puddle at the unicorn’s hooves. The Paladin tried to jump back but found himself enveloped in a sphere of water. The other unicorns started to surge forward at the alicorn as he solidified his eyes boring into the paladin’s. Time slowed for the pair as the unicorn accepted his fate as a true warrior. “φρενίτιδα του αίματος.” Shark constructs formed in the sphere and ripped the paladin apart, turning the sphere crimson. Crashing turned to the unicorns that were rushing him. His blades were tossed to the side and he met the unicorns head on. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ “Got it,” Swansong said as the dome’s door opened. They were away from the fighting at one of the many doors that allowed the guards to move among the walls that connected the domes. Swansong had successfully picked the lock. The pirates filed in ready for anything but found the corridor they entered devoid of guards. [i]’They must all be engaging Crashing,’[/i] Softstep took the lead and they made their way through the halls. Eventually they found their prize. The main room of the dome that had been hewn into the ground held well over a hundred earth ponies. They were a good twenty feet from the ground below. Swansong grimaced at the smell. None had probably bathed in days, nay weeks. “The atrocities we’ve committed,” Moonbeam muttered under his breath,” And this is by far one of the worst.” “Aye,” Softstep grunted, trying and failing to keep her rage in check. She looked to her left and saw a stair well that led to what looked like the feeding toughs,” This way. We can break through here. Cross, take a team to the other dome and secure the slaves there then high tail it.” The pegasus grinned and took off around the wall half of their small raiding force followed after him. Softstep started down the stairwell to her left with Moonbeam and Swansong close behind. Suddenly the tan mare stopped and held up a hoof. “I’m telling you I ain’t seen the Head Inquisitor so mad.” A pair of unicorns in light metal armor sat at a small wooden table. Their spears leaned against the table as they played a round of poker. “Well what had her so steamed?” “Something about ancient tomes disappearing and some such,” the unicorn set down a card and drew another form the deck on the table. “Could be that phantom alicorn that’s been running around. You know the one that’s been whisking scholars away.” “Well then you’re safe.” “Screw you.” Softstep pulled a pair of bombs from her bag, lit them and tossed them under the table the unicorns sat at. “What th-“ [i]BOOOM![/i] The unicorns were thrown back by the blast and slammed into the walls at their backs. Softstep walked forward and pulled a more bombs from her bag. Swansong did the same while Moonbream just glared at the tan mare. “You could have given them a chance to fight for their lives,” he grunted. “That sounds like mercy,” Softstep said as she lit six more bombs and tossed them into the feeding troughs,” They don’t deserve mercy.” She and Swansong rounded back around the corner. Moonbeam glared after them for a moment then followed. [i]BOOM![/i] The wall came down that separated the two rooms. Screams could be heard from the other side of the dust cloud. Pirates rushed into the opening with Softstep at their lead. The slaves looked up at the group in shock. “All right ponies this is your liberation time to move.” One of the slaves, a dark green earth stallion with greying black mane, stepped forward,” Who are you?” “I am Captain Softstep of the Leviathan,” Softstep walked toward the stallion,” And you?” “Gilded Leaf,” the stallion stood unflinching despite the still fresh gashes he had across his back. His gaze was as strong as steel. “I’m to assume you lead these ponies,” Swansong stepped forward. Gilded spat at her hooves,” They look to me for strength horn head so I would guess so.” “Then let’s move,” Softstep smirked,” Or our distraction will get himself killed.” ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Bovir glanced at the unicorn confused by his presence and turned to Deckhoof,” Who is this?” “Oh uh ‘e’s a prisoner I guess,” the earth pony scratched his head dubiously. Grimwing shook his head,” We thought ‘e was Moon and Stars but now I’m not so sure.” Bovir gave the unicorn a once over. He looked a descent sort not the usual ilk that served the Betrayer of Harmony. The minotaur pulled the canceller ring off the unicorn’s horn. He tossed it to Deckhoof and the earth pony fumbled trying to catch it only to have it fly over the railing. “Get the ships out of here and to Crescent Moon Island. Our allies would be greatly interested to hear of this development,” Bovir jumped off the edge of the railing. “Come on ye can ‘elp us get under way,” Grimwing slashed the robes that held Charter,” Tell me mate you ever seen a sea pony?”