Surprisingly, no one was actually killed as a result of Celestia’s rage. I found out that Stone Cutters are the type of species that only submits if you show them extreme force, it seems Celestia had actually visited this land once before and ended up having to result to similar tactics. Although why she denied to inform me that this land was full of talking dinosaurs beforehand, I’ll never know. Things were starting to settle down and Celestia actually formed an alliance with the Stone Cutters, who were really quick to accept for some reason, honestly I couldn’t work out why. After a few days we left the Stone Cutter city to carry on exploring. We gained one new crew member, a young Stone Cutter aged about 11 years old called Little Claw. After several days flying we reached the southernmost tip of the equatorial continent, now we were in really unknown territory.

We soon found a large sub-continent and we went ashore using a landing craft, about the size of a river-ferry with a capacity of 200 individuals. Made up of 150 guards for protection, plus all of the Toa and various diplomats, biologist, naturalists, scientists and botanists plus the kids (you didn’t think we’d make them miss out on this, did you?). The ship landed on the sandy beach, kicking up clouds of dust and sand. A platform on the rear of the ship opened up and myself and the other Toa stepped outside. I was wearing my cloak on top of my armour like a hooded cape; as a way of denoting myself as the leader of the Toa more than anything else. The beach was tropical in nature, with tall palm trees dotted around randomly. In the distance was a line of jungle-like trees, providing a distinct border.

“Wow!” Minion said “I wouldn’t mind coming here for a holiday”

“Can’t argue with that” I agreed, we were just about to start heading into the jungle when I spotted a troop of individuals I couldn’t quite make out heading towards us on some fore of steed “everyone stand close!” the figure were getting closer, eventually I could make them out. Their appearance was reptilian in nature, but they also had huge similarities to Equestrians, looking like some weird reptilian pony. Their steeds were giant monitor lizards. Their troop ran up to us and one of them pointed a spear at me, but I stood firm.

“Who are you?” the reptile said in perfect Equestrian “from your clothes you are warriors”

“We are travellers, from the distant land of Equestria” I said “we have come seeking new lands and we mean you no harm” the reptile lifted his spear away.

“Travellers so strange” he said “you must have come a long way”

“Far enough north for the seasons to be the other way around” I said, he quirked a ridge of scales above his eyes, in the same manner one would quirk their eyebrows.

“Come with us” he said “we will take you to our leader”

They soon led us to a city of some kind filled with more of the reptilian ‘ponies’, from what I could gather they didn’t have the variation of Equestrians. Instead they had variations in cranial features such as horns and crests, and their colours ranged from dark green to black, with brighter ‘secondary’ colours such as yellow or red. They also wore clothes made from what looked like leather or cloth. We were taken to a large building of some kind where one of the Reptilian ‘ponies’ stopped us.

“Which of you are diplomats or representatives?” he asked.

“I am the leader of my band of warriors, called Toa and the instigator of this voyage” I said, I then gestured to one of the diplomats “and this pony is in charge of diplomacy on our voyage”

“You two will come with me” he said, he then looked at the rest of our group “the rest of you are free to explore the city, as long as you obey our laws and don’t cause trouble” the rest of our group nodded and began filing out of the building, Garnet hesitated.

“Garnet?” I asked “what’s wrong?”

“Dad, I-I’m worried” he said “what if this turns out like a repeat of the Stone Cutters?” I walked over and knelt down, resting my hand on his shoulder.

“Trust me, everything will be fine” I said “now go on, go and explore the city with your sister and the other kids” he nodded before walking out, stopping just before he left the building to glance back at us, his eyes filled with worry. I stood up and followed the diplomat and reptilian into a hall, where an older male was sat at a throne of some kind. The Reptilian bowed to him, the diplomat and I followed his example out of respect. The reptilian turned to us.

“This is King Dja Dragool, king of the Atque people” he then walked up to the king “your majesty, these are representatives from” he paused, having seemingly forgotten the name of our nation, he looked at us.

“We are from the sovereign Diarchy of Equestria” the diplomat said “I am Sure Scribe, and this is Captain Vuur Koning. We have come seeking new lands and civilisations to form alliances with. Our intentions are strictly non-hostile, your majesty” he king looked at me and quirked an eyebrow.

“And yet your friend is armoured as though for war” he said, I stepped forward.

“Your majesty, I am only armoured” I said, before adding “and armed admittedly, out of necessity, not every nation we have come across has been as peaceful this, for instance the last nation we came across physically dragged us to their arena to be slaughtered for sport” the kings eyes widened.

“Would they happen to be 40 foot-lengths long and possess long claws?” he asked.

“Add moody and that describes them to a tee” I said “are you familiar with the Stone Cutters?”

“We have an alliance with the governments of Sauria and their associated islands” he said, he then shook his head, a sad look on his face “but unfortunately it is a shaky alliance at best”

“We can assure you” Sure Scribe said “if you were to agree to align with us, our alliance would be much stronger, and we also have plenty to trade”

“For instance?” the king asked.

“Equestria is abundant in natural materials such as gem-stones and metals” Sure Scribe said “we also have a large enough royal guard to provide assistance should you require such”

“And in exchange?” the king asked.

“A loyal alliance, plus whatever you could offer for trade” Sure Scribe said, the king didn’t say anything for a few moment, deep in thought. Eventually he looked at us and smiled.

“Your terms are acceptable” the king said “I; King Dja Dragool accept your terms of alliance, we can discuss the specific terms at a later date. For now, you are free to explore my city as you wish”

I soon found Autumn and the twins in a market, we were now sat at a restaurant, eating lunch

“So we’re now allies with this country?” Autumn asked.

“Yeah” I said, I noticed Garnet staring in the direction of the streets. I followed his gave to find him looking at a young female Atquean, wondering through the streets. She was a dark green with yellow highlights, she also appeared to be roughly Garnet’s age. Garnet looked at me.

“Dad, do my wings look alrigh’?” he asked, realisation quickly dawned on me and I gave him a knowing look.

“Yes, your wings are find” I said, I then nudged him off of the chair and jerked my head towards the Atquean “go on, go to her” he quickly walked over to the Atquean and they began talking, although I couldn’t hear what they were saying, they seemed to be getting on. Autumn gave me a look.

“Honestly, Vuur?” she asked, shaking her head.

“What?” I asked “it would happen at some point, and we can’t exactly object to it given our situation”

“We are traveling” Autumn said “how do you think her parents would react to finding out that not only has she got a…whatever they call a coltfriend here, but he is also a hybrid and from another country?”

“You’ve obviously never heard of long distance relationships” I said “and in this day and age, I’m sure they wouldn’t have a…” I was cut off by a yell and Garnet getting flung across the street by a very large, male green Atquean, he looked to be a few years older than Garnet. I ran over to Garnet but the male ran over before I could get to him and got really lose to Garnets face

“You keep your filthy half-blood claws off of my girlfriend, you freak” he growled, the young female ran over.

“Don’t do this” she said “he didn’t know” the male glared at the female who shrank under his gaze.

“I’ll deal with you later” he said, before turning back to Garnet. He went to say something only to end up with a fire claw grasping his throat. The gathered crowd began murmuring amongst themselves.

“One” garnet said “I didn’t know she was taken, if I did I wouldn’t have even approached her. Two, I didn’t touch her in any way and three, if you ever call me a freak again I will burn you to Tartarus” I walked forward.

“Garnet” I said “leave it, he’s not worth it” Garnet sighed before turning the fire claw back into his normal claw.

“Yes, Dad” he said, before walking back towards the restaurant with me, the male chuckled.

“That’s right” he said “go running back to your freak family” Garnet halted dead in his tracks and didn’t move for a few seconds. His expression contorted into a snarl and flames started to seep out between his bared teeth. Before I could react he leapt into the air and sent himself flying towards the Male with a roar of rage. I ran over and at the same time an older male Atquean ran towards the brawling pair, we both yanked the two teenagers away from each other. Garnet was struggling to get out of my grasp whilst cursing in draconic at me. As for the young Atquean, he hid behind the older male, he was also sporting three fresh claw marks running down one side of his face.

“Mitte me stupri!” Garnet roared at me, he then glared at the Atquean “mihi praeter te, ego capiam, et partem mauris!” the Atquean retreated further behind the older male.

“GARNET” I yelled “CALM DOWN, NOW!” he stopped trying to get free and just glared at the young male, Autumn ran over, I passed Garnet to her before walking over to the older Atquean.

“I am so, so sorry, but my son really doesn’t like being insulted” I said, I then looked at the teenager “and for that matter, neither do I. You would do well to not insult others so readily” the older male glared at the younger one.

“We’ll talk about this later” he said, before turning to me “And I’m sorry your son had to deal with mine, he can be a bit cocky at times” the younger one hung his head in shame. I then walked back to the restaurant. Garnet was sat at the table, resting his head on the table with a look of shame, he looked away when I sat down opposite him.

“Garnet…” I went to say.

“Just leave it, Dad” he said, scowling “I don’t want to talk about it” I sighed.

“Alright” I said “but if you need me…”

“I said leave it!” Garnet said, getting up from the table and flying off. I noticed the look Autumn gave me and rested my head in my hand and drumming my fingers on the table in annoyance.

“Yes dear, you were right” I said.

“And?” she asked, smirking.

“And I was wrong” I said, Ruby stood up.

“I’ll go and find him”

*pov 3rd person*

Garnet stood on a stone bridge, resting his head on the wall. He barely registered hoof steps approaching.

“There you are” Garnet recognised the voice as belonging to the female from the market. Garnet snorted and moved his head in the other direction.

“What do you want?” Garnet grumbled “because I’m not in the mood to hear some half-arsed apology on behalf of your boyfriend”

“He isn’t the type to give apology’s, let alone send others to apologise for him” she said “and it’s ex-boyfriend, now” the female walked over and sat beside the kirin, who shuffled away

“Just leave me be” Garnet said.

“But I never even got to know your name” the female said.

“Who would want to know a ‘half-blood freak’?” Garnet said bitterly.

“Well, me for starters” she said, Garnet groaned and lifted his head up to look the Atquean in the eyes.

“If this is an attempt to get with me because you feel guilty, then forget it” he said, before standing up and walking away, the Atquean gave an exasperated groan and rolled her eyes before walking after the kirin.

“Would you quit being so stubborn” she said.

“No” Garnet said, before increasing his pace.

“Can’t you see that I’m actually interested and I want to get to know you?” she asked, Garnet stopped walking and sighed.

“Why?” he asked, looking back at the Atquean.

“What?”

“Why are you so quick to want to be with me?” he asked “it wouldn’t work out anyway”

“Why?” she asked.

“Follow me” he said, before leading here to the top of a hill and sitting down the Atquean sat down next to him, he pointed to the Jörmungandr, floating in the distance “you see that ship?”

“Yes, what of it?” she asked.

“I live on that ship” he said “we are almost constantly on the move, looking for new lands, if I got with you, either I’d have to stay here, on a totally unfamiliar land, or you would have to come with me, and leave all your friends and family behind, and I’m not so keen on the first option”

“So what if I come with you?” she said, shrugging “Atquean’s leave their parents at 15, I’m 16 and I was looking for somewhere to stay anyway”

“What about your family?” he asked.

“What of them?” she asked “when I said ‘leave my parents’, I meant that literally, once you reach 15, you are no longer a part of any one family, you become a part of the community. Whatever I do is my choice and by law they can’t object, sure most stay close with their parents, but the parents have no control over what they can do”

“Why?” Garnet asked.

“Means there’s no chance of parents forcing their young to marry into a powerful family” she said, shrugging, Garnet sighed.

“Are you absolutely sure?” he asked “because chances are, we won’t be coming back here for a long time, if we end up ending our relationship, you won’t be able to just ‘get away’, plus there’s the fact that my dad is the captain of the ship”

“I’m not the type to hold grudges after a relationship” she said.

“It’s my family you have to worry about” Garnet said “they would hunt you and then keelhaul you”

“What?” the Atquean asked, looking confused.

“They would tie you to the bottom of the ship and leave you there” he said “and don’t even get me started on what happened to the guy that did this” Garnet grabbed his right arm with his left claw, pressed a button and twisted the arm anti-clockwise until in clicked, he then pulled it away, revealing a stump with a metal cap on the end and various brass electrical-contacts. The Atquean’s jaw dropped.

“What happened?” she asked, looking slightly pale. Garnet put the arm back on and tested the motion before answering.

“I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, a changeling tried to kill me, I cut off his arm using this” he swung his tail around to show her and split the blades, there was a small chip on one of the blades “he returned the favour, I almost died that day, no one actually knows for certain what happened to him, the changelings that punished him won’t say what happened, although it apparently involved an airtight metal box, a can of Zyclon-B and a jug of water”

“What’s Zyclon-B?” the Atquean asked.

“You really don’t want to know” Garnet said, shuddering slightly and turning pale, he then muttered “I still don’t know how they could have gotten hold of it” the Atquean shuffled closer and rested her head on his shoulder.

“So…does this mean I can come with you?” she asked.

“I don’t see why not” he said “The name’s Garnet by the way” the Atquean smiled and leaned in closer to the Kirin.

“I’m Thel D’jagaar” she said, for the rest of the day they sat there, enjoying the view and getting to know each-other better

For those that don't know what Zyclon-B is, I'll give you a hint: Auschwitz-Birkenau Konzentrationslager

on a not-so grim note, this chapter was an absolute bitch to write, I got writers block about 500 words in and ended up having to totally re-write the whole chapter