A loud knock on Spike's door awakened him abruptly from his slumber. He got up, put on his clothes, and opened the door in a haste. He expected Fluttershy, but to his surprise is was the red mare from yesterday, leaning on the adjacent wooden wall.

"You slept in. We've landed at the coastal port for supplies. Follow me." The mare began to walk down the long hallway in the ship, with Spike trailing not far behind.

"You know, you haven't told me your name yet," Spike added lightly.

"It's Gin, and... I apologize for what had happened the other day. I can get caught up in the moment." Gin exited through the door to the upper deck with Spike following, who was reassured by Gin's words.

"My name is Spike..." Spike looked out across the water to see the approaching port, along with the vast sea ahead of it.

"It's nice to meet ya, Spike," Gin grinned as she turned around to see Draven, who was standing behind them both.

"We've got a long journey ahead of us, mate. We're gonna be stopping at the port for supplies." Draven explained as he raised his hand to gesture to a crew member. "Lower the boarding bridge!"

With a nod, the crew member lowered the large wooden pathway across to conjoin with the cobblestone ground of the port. Fluttershy emerged from the lower level shortly after and said good morning to the crew, giving Spike a half-smile. He enjoyed the warm feeling of compassion Fluttershy always shared with those around her.

"Spike! And uh.... what's-er-face! You two go with the crew and relax for a while, maybe grab some food. I've got some mapping to do. Take Gin and the paladin with you in case you wish to wander, but not too far okay?" Draven informed the young duo.

"It's Fluttershy..." Fluttershy chimed in.

"Paladin?" Spike uttered in a confused tone.

"Ah, don't worry. One of the crew members. He's a brooding type and doesn't talk too much, but who knows? He might grow on ya!" Gin insisted as she then called up towards the crow's nest.

A large figure dropped from the mast and onto the wooden deck. He was average height for a stallion in his mid-twenties, but his grave appearance made him seem somewhat taller in a sense. His right eye was deep blue, and his left eye had a patch on it that covered most of the left side of his brown face down to his cheekbone. His body was clad in silver armor like a knight, and his short black hair was spiky and slicked back, almost windblown. His demeanor exuded much grit and intensity as he approached Spike and the others.

"This ray of sunshine's name is Winslow. He isn't the chatty type, but he gets results when you give him an order." Gin said with a smirk. "Isn't that right, ya tin-can?"

"Hmph." The steel-encased stallion grunted.

The port was relatively busy and had visitors from many far away nations. A large market and pub lined the coastal street full of people. Gin put her arms around Fluttershy and Spike's shoulders with glee as a grin formed on her face.

"How about a drink or two on me?" Gin gestured towards the pub cheerfully as she patted Spike and Fluttershy on the back.

"Thank you, but I don't really drink..." Fluttershy answered, slightly guilty at not accepting Gin's kindness.

"I'm game!" Spike replied in agreement. "Sounds like fun!"

"Alright! Fluttershy, why don't you go with Winslow and peruse the market while Spike and I join the crew at the pub?" Gin suggested.

"That sounds great!" Fluttershy said with a warm smile.

****

Spike and Gin sat down at the center table separate from the crew. Gin ordered two drinks and the two began chatting over their ale.

"So what's your story, dragon?" Gin asked as she lowered her tankard to the table after a long swig.

"Well up until now, it was never really a long story. It definitely wasn't an exciting one either," Spike explained as he too took a sip of his drink, slightly cringing at the strong taste. "I was raised by a good family of ponies. I live, or until recently... lived with a very close friend of mine. We grew up together, and she's more like an older sister to me than anything else. We made friends with a lot of ponies when we moved to Ponyville, and... I miss them a lot."

"Doesn't sound so boring to me." Gin said with a half-smile.

After a drink from his beverage, Spike sat silent for a moment, then looked up at Gin nervously. "What's your story...?"

After a long pause, Gin raised her drink to her mouth; then back down as she licked her lips. "I was an orphan you see... me father left, and me mother died when I was very young, and I grew up in the slums of Canterlot." Gin's cheerful attitude seemed to dissolve as she progressed with her story. "I was often a beggar, and sometimes I resorted to thievery once every so often. I regret what I did, but... I did it out of survival. I was such a young filly, alone and afraid in such a big world, and I had no family to speak of, well, except my older brother. But, I never got to see him after he was drafted into the navy."

Spike sat silently as he heard Gin's melancholy, and realized the insignificance of his previous problems with Twilight days ago. "Draven found me one day when I tried pickpocketing him, but instead of reporting me like almost everyone else I stole from... he just smiled and said. 'What's a young filly like you doing all by yourself?'. After that, he took me in and introduced me to his crew, who accepted me with open arms." Gin's frown turned into a gentle smirk as she continued. "Draven is the closest thing to a father I've ever had, and these band of misfits are like family a to me. I think the rest of the crew feels the same."

Moved by her words, Spike looked up at Gin with a vividly new perspective on his surroundings. Previously unsure about his situation, but now confident in himself and the road ahead. He sat straighter as he replied to Gin. "That's a story I could drink to," Spike added with high-spirits. "But I think I figured something out today, though."

"And what's that?" Gin inquired with a chuckle.

A rumble from Spike's stomach roared, followed by a belch of green fire from his mouth.

"I don't think I'm a very good drinker..." The two then shared a laugh as Gin ordered another drink for herself.

****

Winslow and Fluttershy walked along the wide street eyeing the many fruit stands, seafood -sellers, and various vendors.

Fluttershy was nervous in the presence of the stale-looking stallion as he looked straight-forward, barely paying any attention to her (Or anyone else for that matter). Fluttershy cleared her throat as the two walked alongside each other, she spoke with withering confidence as she attempted to chat with Winslow.

"I um, don't suppose you see anything you like?" Fluttershy said softly to the blonde stallion; the long, uncomfortable pause that followed was a little unnerving.

"Not really." Winslow finally answered. Fluttershy had never met a stallion so reluctant to speak. He retained a sort of tactical tunnel-vision whenever surveying those around him, always cautious of thieves or enemies.

"Oh, look at that!" Fluttershy's attention was drawn to the fresh fruit shop, specifically on the dried food section. "Perhaps we should buy some for the rest of the crew?" Fluttershy gained the attention of the shopkeeper, waving him over. "I'll take some of those apricots, please!"

"Right away, Miss." The shopkeeper answered cheerfully as he put the orange fruit into a large paper bag. "Here you go. That'll be twenty bits, please!"

Fluttershy handed a handful of change to the clerk, then said goodbye. She approached the ever-weary stallion with an open bag, filled with fruit. "Would you like some?" Fluttershy asked Winslow innocently.

"Yes, thank you," Winslow muttered as he plopped an apricot into his mouth.

Winslow seemed calm for a moment before his expression changed to that of distress as he looked across the street to see a band of shrouded individuals. They were approaching them menacingly, and the eyes beneath their hoods glowed a dim green.

"Quickly this way!" Winslow grabbed Fluttershy's arm as they cut across to a narrow alleyway, making sure not to cause a disruption as they did so.

The two were moving swiftly but were halted halfway down the alley when another three shrouded figures approached from the opposite direction. They had been surrounded.

"Stay close to me," Winslow ordered Fluttershy as he drew his long-sword.

The group surrounding them revealed their true faces. They were most assuredly changelings.

"Where is your captain?" One of the Changelings inquired as he drew his green saber.

"None of your concern, you scum," Winslow replied as he pointed his blade at Changeling's neck.

"How dare you!" The changeling yelled as he took a large slash at Winslow; who dodged and struck the attacker's midsection with expert timing.

The other group of changelings grabbed Fluttershy and dragged her into a door nearby. She panicked and called out in desperation, but Winslow was caught up in his fight with the others. Fluttershy was thrown to the ground in the small room behind the door and approached by the group of changelings who drew their blades.

"We're gonna enjoy this cutie-pie..." One of the changelings hissed with a ghastly sneer.

Fluttershy began to stall to wait for the right moment to strike, as her eyes darted about the room.

"Please! Don't hurt me!" Fluttershy cried as she put her arms over her head; not because she was afraid of them, but because she feared a beast lurking within.

"It's a shame we have to hurt a pretty little thing like you doll-face." The changeling raised his arm to strike.

The world slowed around Fluttershy as her eye's reddened, her fangs extended, and her nails sharpened into pointed talons. She moved at a supernatural speed as she dashed for the attacking changeling, biting down hard on his neck; spurting out blood as she did so. The changeling wailed in pain as Fluttershy greedily gorged herself on the helpless prey. She then moved on to the other's, coming to her senses as she held the two by their necks up high. She resisted her urge to feed as she narrowed her eyes on them.

"Stop..." Fluttershy muttered as the changelings dropped into a heap on the floor from her gaze.

She whimpered in guilt for the changeling she had executed, but she left regardless, realizing Winslow needed aid.

"I'm sorry..." She muttered, tears pooling in her eyes.

Winslow sheathed his sword as he frantically rushed back to Fluttershy who just exited the door to the alleyway.

"Are you okay?" Winslow asked with a worried tone in his voice.

"I'm fine... I uh, got away." Fluttershy lied with hesitance.

"Okay," Winslow's concern was soon replaced by doubt as he caught a glance of blood lining the corner of Fluttershy's lower lip, which she covered up with her hand quickly.

"C'mon, we have to warn the others." Winslow grabbed Fluttershy's arm and began racing back to the docking bay.

****

Spike and Gin's conversation was interrupted by Winslow and Fluttershy as they explained what happened. The two got up from their table quickly as they rounded up the crew into the ship.

"Get in! Everypony!" Gin ordered as the crew ran across the boarding bridge.

Draven appeared out from his cabin in response to the ruckus outside and inquired to Gin in concern.

"What the bloody hell is going on out there?!" Draven demanded as Gin ushered more crew members onboard.

"Captain! Winslow and Fluttershy were attacked by a group of Changeling assassins! They're fine, but right now we've got to go!" Gin frantically replied as she began preparations to set sail.

"Let's get out of here before the whole Changeling Armada shows up!" Draven shouted with much fear surrounding his voice.

The ship sped on in fear of the oncoming maelstrom behind them and eventually disappeared into a thick fog, shrouding themselves from the armada, allowing their escape.

****

Later that night, Fluttershy leaned on the wooden railing and looked down to the ocean below. She choked back tears when she thought about her mindless rage. It had been many months since she had become more than a pony, and she was still getting used to the thirst and uncontrollable lust for crimson-sustenance. Granted, it was more than that. She felt this burning hatred, demonic and foul, one that was not her own. Was this a vampire? No, it couldn't be.

Winslow approached unexpectedly from around a corner in silence. He seemed menacing, as if on a mission when he approached her. He put his hand on her neck and planted her against a wall.

"What are you-?" Fluttershy muttered, fearful of the stoic stallion. Fluttershy could feel that Winslow was not choking her, but simply placing his hand around her neck. He let go after a few seconds and peered into Fluttershy's eyes.

"No pulse. Do not think I can be fooled so easily, I used to hunt vampires for a living. Don't worry though... I'm not that stallion anymore." Winslow whispered to her softly. "What you did was reckless, and somepony could have easily found you out."

"You can't tell anyone, please..." Fluttershy begged quietly. "If anyone finds out... I'll.-"

Winslow put his hand on her mouth, shushing her. "I know."

"What intrigues me, however, is the fact you didn't burst into flames. Have you always been able to do that, even in sunlight?" Winslow asked in a serious tone.

Fluttershy nodded silently in reply, and Winslow backed away from her. He went back downstairs into the ship slowly but turned to face her in hesitation.

"Interesting.Goodnight, Fluttershy, and... thank you for that apricot." Winslow said as he descended down to the lower level.

"Goodnight Winslow..."

Author's Notes:

I know it's been a while, and I plan on picking up the pace, but I've been busy lately because of school and all (sorry...). Enjoy!